Franchisees Lead with Passion, Dedication and a Focus on Quality
For K9 Resorts franchise owners, the position is more than just a job, says Patti Carr, the company’s chief operations officer. Franchisees serve as brand ambassadors and represent the company’s values, culture and standards of quality to the public, she says.
The most successful franchisees take full ownership of their role by representing the company “with pride, passion and dedication to the brand, with consistency in delivering the highest quality services at all times,” Carr says, “and by being involved in the community and giving back.”
K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel provides premium care for dogs, offering day care services and overnight boarding, and featuring state-of-the-art facilities with a resort-like ambiance. Succeeding at running a K9 Resorts location requires franchisees to fully commit to the franchise model, both financially and emotionally, Carr says. This commitment involves focusing on the brand and on long-term goals, she says, and fostering employee engagement through leading by example and creating a positive work environment. The company expects franchisees to uphold brand standards and to work proactively, she says, and to keep a customer-focused mindset.
“There is also personal growth that comes with franchise ownership, and it goes beyond the financial aspect. It is about being a part of something bigger,” she says, and having the opportunity to help improve the lives of pets and their owners.
K9 Resorts grew out of a small pet-sitting business started in 1999 by Steven and Jason Parker, now the company’s CEOs. Steven was 14 at the time and Jason was 12, and they were motivated by their love for animals. From that beginning, they opened the first K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel in Fanwood, N.J., in 2005, and, encouraged by the popularity of the business, they began franchising in 2011. Today the company has 145 locations open or in development across the country and is aiming to continue to expand along with the rapidly growing pet care industry.
K9 Resorts has been rated the top luxury dog boarding franchise in the nation.
Support and Training
The company supports new franchisees with comprehensive instruction on all aspects of the business for franchise owners and their general managers before a location opens, Carr says. Then trainers work on-site with the new owners the week before an opening and during the first week. Training also focuses on how to maximize marketing and branding. “They have weekly marketing touch-base meetings for six months prior to opening to make sure they are spending their dollars in the correct places,” she says.
K-9 Resorts sets itself apart with the aesthetics of a five-star hotel and attentive care from trained and certified staff. Pet owners can choose from day care services, either half day or full day, that provide dogs with socialization and exercise or boarding services that offer a safe, comfortable stay. Dogs enjoy a group-play environment in indoor and outdoor play areas with close supervision by staff. For boarding, owners can select options that include cage-free suites with premium beds and high-definition television sets tuned to Animal Planet or DOGTV. Thorough housekeeping and sanitization along with ventilation systems keep the facilities clean and free from odors and help keep dogs healthy.
K9 Resorts’ amenity-filled accommodations and attention to comfort and safety have been rewarded with professional honors — the company has been rated the top luxury dog boarding franchise in the nation by the International Boarding & Pet Services Association.
To continue to deliver the award-winning level of service, both the K9 Resorts franchise team and franchisees need to fully own and embrace their respective roles, Carr says. “There has to be open and transparent communications from both sides and collaboration and inclusivity by both parties. Most of all, both must foster a positive culture.”
For more information about the K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel franchise, visit www.k9franchise.com.
