Scenthound's Brian and Melissa Markus Honored with 2024 Franchisee of the Year Award by the International Franchise Association

Dynamic Husband-Wife Duo Recognized for Their Scenter's Success and Community Impact

JUPITER, Fla., Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Scenthound, the nation's leading dog wellness franchise, is proud to announce that Brian and Melissa Markus, multi-unit owners in Kansas City, have been recognized with the Franchisee of the Year Award by the International Franchise Association (IFA). The prestigious award recognizes their contributions to the brand, commitment to providing exceptional pet care, and dedication to their community.

Brian's corporate experience in the health and wellness sector combined with Melissa's extensive sales background has equipped the duo with a skillset that's helped them find success with Scenthound. The Markuses were honored with the brand's 'Puppy of the Year' award in their first year of business, followed by the 'Leader of the Pack' award the next year—both recognizing their dedication to excellence and commitment to the brand's success. Today, they have two open Scenters in the Kansas City market with plans to further expand.

"Receiving this award is a monumental milestone in our franchising journey, and my wife and I are incredibly honored," says Brian Markus. "For us, it's not just about the numbers, it's about the positive impact on the dogs and families in our community. Scenthound's support and guiding mission has been instrumental in our success and we're grateful to be a part of such an amazing brand. Being recognized with the Franchisee of the Year Award is a result of the passion and dedication of our entire team, and we're excited for what the future holds."

The Franchisee of the Year Award recognizes leading franchise owners from IFA member brands whose outstanding performance and contributions help protect, enhance, and promote the franchise business model. Nominated by Scenthound, the multi-unit owners represent the best in franchising across all fronts and carry out the brand's mission to the highest standard.

"Brian and Melissa embody everything we look for in our franchise partners," says Tim Vogel, Co-Founder and CEO of Scenthound. "The Franchisee of the Year Award is more than just a recognition of outstanding business growth and operational excellence—though they've certainly achieved that. It's a testament to their true commitment to our brand values and their deep connection to the community they serve. The Markuses are a shining example of what's possible when passion, hard work, and a desire to make a difference come together."

According to the IFA's 2025 Franchising Economic Outlook, the personal services sector has been identified as the fastest growing industry projected to grow by 4.3%, respectively. With plans to capitalize on this growth trajectory, Scenthound is looking to attract both multi-unit operators and aspiring entrepreneurs to its proven franchise opportunity.

To learn more about the brand, visit www.scenthound.com or follow the brand on Instagram and LinkedIn. To find out more about franchise opportunities, visit www.franchise.scenthound.com.

About Scenthound

Founded in 2015, Scenthound, the nation's first dog wellness franchise concept, offers monthly hygiene services for affordable and accessible routine dog care. With a unique focus on pet health and hygiene, the brand's services are elevated through the integration of innovative technology, including its proprietary S.C.E.N.T. Check® (Skin, Coat, Ears, Nails, and Teeth) detailing an assessment of each dog's external well-being following its monthly visit to a 'Scenter.' Today, Scenthound has finalized plans for over 300 franchised and corporate-owned locations across 26 states and is positioned for explosive growth across the U.S. For more information about Scenthound's unique membership offerings, visit www.scenthound.com or follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. To find out more about franchise opportunities, visit www.franchise.scenthound.com.

About the International Franchise Association

Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 790,492 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.4 million direct jobs, $825.4 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.

Media Contact: Lauren Kirkley, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 847.945.1300

SOURCE Scenthound