From Healthcare to Pet Care: New Partners Bring 31 Salons to Chicago

Powerhouse team takes on 31 licenses to bring Chicago dog owners a more convenient + higher quality grooming experience.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sparkle Grooming Co., the wellness-focused dog grooming franchise, is happy to announce the brand has officially awarded 31 licenses in the Chicagoland area to the powerhouse team of Thomas Fitzpatrick and Joel Accathara, marking a major milestone in Sparkle's national expansion.

Fitzpatrick + Accathara bring a wealth of business acumen and leadership experience to the Sparkle pack. Fitzpatrick, a former healthcare finance professional at Advocate Health Care, is a multi-unit operator of successful The Joint Chiropractic clinics. Accathara, who also comes from a healthcare finance background, now owns and leads a thriving travel center in Wisconsin. Together, they make a dynamic team with the operational savvy to build a strong foundation for Sparkle in Chicago.

A Personal Connection to the Pet Care Industry

For Fitzpatrick, this opportunity is personal:

"My best friend is my Golden Doodle, Duncan. After ten years together and moving through three cities, I've seen how fragmented and inconsistent the grooming industry can be. Sparkle is the fresh take this industry needs… something built for both pets and their parents, with care at the center."

Accathara agrees, adding:

"I'm excited to be part of something new, something that makes a real difference. Sparkle's business model is designed for success, and it's a brand that truly values its employees, its customers, and the dogs. It's not just a grooming service, it's an experience people will feel good about."

Both partners see Sparkle as a disruptor in an outdated industry, blending smart systems, a membership-based model, and a pet- and people-first culture.

"Thomas and Joel are the kind of leaders who know how to make a brand shine,"  said Joe Aeppli, Co-Founder + COO. "Their passion, business expertise, and love for pets make them the perfect partners to bring Sparkle to Chicago."

Since April 2024, Sparkle has awarded a total of 257 licenses across 12 states including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Utah. For more information on Sparkle's rapidly growing pet care franchise visit sparkledogcare.com/franchise.

About Sparkle Grooming Corp.
Founded in 2022, Sparkle Grooming Corp. is on a mission to elevate pet care by blending salon-style grooming with wellness-focused hygiene and neighborhood-level service. Our Quick-Service Pet Care (QSPC) model is designed to keep dogs healthy, happy, and always looking their best while making life easier for busy pet parents.

Sparkle's membership-driven approach, compact salon footprint, and operational support systems are helping franchisees nationwide deliver care that's consistent, efficient, and meaningful.

Led by a team of industry veterans and brand builders behind globally recognized concepts, Sparkle is redefining what routine pet care looks like in communities across America.

SOURCE Sparkle Grooming Corp.