Dogtopia Continues Strong Growth in California with New Regional Developer Agreement in Orange County

TYSONS CORNER, Va., April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Dogtopia, a leading national dog daycare and spa franchise, and Thomas Franchise Solutions announced today that they have signed a second regional developer (RD) agreement in California within 30 days and awarded the Orange County, Calif. region to Jan Folk. A seasoned entrepreneur and philanthropist, Folk is the founder of the Orange Dog Foundation, a charity started in Canada that orchestrates "Freedom Flights" transporting abandoned puppies to new homes.

Folk will develop the Orange County region and is now seeking select franchisees to own and operate 13 new Dogtopia locations throughout the area. Target cities for development include Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Seal Beach and Anaheim. Opportunities are available to convert existing dog daycare and boarding facilities to the Dogtopia brand, as well as target key real estate opportunities for new locations throughout Orange County.

"Dogtopia was a natural fit for me because of my years of rescuing dogs in Orange County," said Folk. "I share Dogtopia's dedication to pet charities, as well as passion for community involvement. The company's proven business model and experienced leadership team result in a smart, sustainable investment opportunity for franchisees."

As the company's second RD, Folk is part of Dogtopia's aggressive growth strategy to expand its brand to more than 400 locations across the U.S. and Canada over the next seven years. In October 2012, the company entered into a strategic partnership with Thomas Franchise Solutions, Ltd. (TFS), an investment firm dedicated to guiding and growing select unique franchise concepts. This partnership, as well as the opportunities she saw in the $52 billion U.S. pet industry, attracted Folk to Dogtopia.

"Dogtopia is experiencing solid growth momentum in California with the signing of our second RD and we are confident that our brand has tremendous potential for success across the state," said Amy Nichols, CEO of Dogtopia. "Jan's entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with her passion for animals, makes her an ideal candidate to strategically expand Dogtopia in Orange County and we are looking forward to adding new franchisees to our system."

Since Dogtopia launched in 2002, it has grown to 23 franchise and four company-owned locations nationwide, as well as five locations currently in development. Dogtopia's design mirrors that of a chic, upscale spa. Laid out in a similar manner as a children's daycare facility, Dogtopia has multiple playrooms to suit every dog's personality and size. In addition to daycare and boarding, many Dogtopia locations also offer a spa, self-service dog wash, and a boutique to pamper dogs of all shapes and sizes.

To fuel growth, Dogtopia is now seeking regional developers to expand the brand in major metropolitan areas, including Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas, and South Florida. Additionally, British Columbia and Alberta are key target markets in Canada. Candidates should have an affinity for dogs and the skills to grow a successful business within a proven franchise model. Regional developers will be required to open at least one store within the first year of signing then develop additional stores during a scheduled development period, either by opening and operating more units themselves or by recruiting franchisees for their region.

For more information regarding Dogtopia franchise opportunities in Orange County, contact Jan Folk at [email protected] or 714-913-7250, or Christy Thom at 714-290-2744.

About Dogtopia
Dogtopia prides itself on being a place where pets are valued as family and dogs enjoy playtime, spa treatments, and overnight stays in a positive environment. Dog owners have the assurance of leaving their pets in the hands of trained professionals while they're at work or away on vacation. Dogtopia associates nurture each and every pet as if it were their own. Each location offers dog daycare, boarding, spa services, and most also have professional grooming. Dogtopia does not breed discriminate and welcomes social dogs of all ages, sizes, and abilities. The company was founded by Amy Nichols in 2002 and began franchising in 2005. Visit www.dogdaycare.com for more information.

About Thomas Franchise Solutions
TFS is a private equity, advisory, and franchise marketing company headquartered in both the United States and Canada. TFS makes capital investments in private growth stage companies throughout North America that have franchising as their core expansion strategy. Since 1974, Peter H. Thomas has been a successful franchisee and franchisor, founding Century 21 Canada and developing the Four Seasons Resort in Scottsdale, among many other successful businesses. The TFS Fund and its team have been created specifically to invest in franchise concepts and help them grow exponentially. Additionally, franchise sales teams in the Strategic Marketing Group provide direct regional and unit sales expertise to aid in the development and execution of franchise sales strategies. For more information regarding Dogtopia franchise opportunities across the Untied States and Canada, please contact Mark Horne at [email protected] or 602-730-6000. Visit www.dogtopiafranchises.com for more information.

Media Contact:
Amanda DelPrete
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SOURCE Dogtopia