If you’re comparing franchise opportunities, you might be looking at a pet services brand like Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Franchise alongside options in other industries, such as a cleaning business franchise. In this in-depth review, we’ll explore the Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming franchise offering and then see how it stacks up against the commercial cleaning industry – specifically, how it compares to Assett Franchise’s modern cleaning model. Let’s dive in.
What Is the Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Franchise Opportunity?
Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming is a fast-growing pet retail and grooming franchise known for its upscale, dual-concept model. Founded in 2007 in Florida, Woof Gang has expanded from a single boutique pet store to over 450 locations (open or in development) across 34 states. As of recent data, more than 350 of those stores are up and running in communities nationwide, making Woof Gang one of the largest pet franchise networks in the United States. Below, we break down the key aspects of this franchise opportunity:
Company Overview and Industry
Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming is a pet services franchise that combines a high-end grooming salon with a specialty pet supply store. It began franchising in 2008 and has since grown into a leading name in pet care, offering professional grooming services alongside premium pet foods and gourmet treats. The concept was founded by pet enthusiasts Paul and Cara Allen in 2007, and the brand has achieved remarkable growth milestones – opening its 100th store by 2017 and selling its 300th franchise by 2023. Today Woof Gang operates as an entirely franchised system (no corporate-owned stores), with each location locally owned and operated by franchisees in their community. This local ownership model gives Woof Gang shops a neighborhood pet boutique feel, differentiating them from big-box pet chains.
In terms of industry, Woof Gang sits in the booming pet care sector. The company emphasizes grooming as its cornerstone – about 72% of the business comes from grooming services. Every year, Woof Gang locations collectively groom over one million dogs in “spa-like” salons that pamper pets and delight their owners. On the retail side, Woof Gang stores carry curated pet foods, treats, and supplies, focusing on natural, high-quality products for dogs and cats. This dual grooming-and-retail model taps into the robust pet industry, where U.S. pet spending reached a projected $157 billion in 2025. Pet grooming alone accounted for an estimated $15.5 billion market in 2025 and is expected to grow ~7–9% annually through 2030. Woof Gang’s rapid expansion – including private investment backing in 2022 to fuel further growth – reflects strong demand in this sector. (Notably, in June 2022, a private equity firm acquired a significant stake in Woof Gang to help scale the brand, bringing in a new management team to build on the founders’ success.)
What Franchisees Get
Woof Gang franchisees benefit from a well-established brand in the pet world and a comprehensive support system. The franchise offers two revenue streams under one roof: a full-service pet grooming salon and a retail boutique. This means as an owner you provide professional grooming services (from haircuts to nail trims) in a safe, upscale environment, and you also sell premium pet products like all-natural foods, gourmet baked treats, toys, and accessories. Pet parents appreciate the one-stop convenience – they can get Fido groomed and pick up quality supplies in the same visit. Woof Gang emphasizes top-notch customer service and positions its stores as caring, local pet centers rather than impersonal chains.
On the support side, Woof Gang delivers extensive training and ongoing assistance to franchisees. New owners attend a hands-on training program (including time with the company’s leadership, grooming experts, and marketing team) to learn “the Woof Gang way” of running a successful pet spa and store. You’ll learn how to hire and manage groomers, operate the salon safely, merchandise the retail section, and market your store in the community. Woof Gang’s corporate team helps with site selection and store setup as well – they provide data-driven location scouting, guidance on lease negotiations, store layout designs, and vendor sourcing for equipment and inventory. Once your Woof Gang store is open, support continues with regional and national staff, marketing tools (including local digital marketing assistance and a CRM for customer outreach), performance analytics, and bulk purchasing discounts. In short, franchisees get a turnkey business model plus ongoing coaching. The customer base is primarily pet owners (B2C) in your community – dog and cat parents who value quality grooming and pet products. Because all Woof Gang locations are franchise-owned, owners often become known locally and build loyal relationships with repeat customers (and their pets) over time.
Startup Costs and Ongoing Fees
Investing in a Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming franchise requires a moderate upfront investment typical of a retail service business. According to the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), the initial investment ranges from about $179,000 to $419,000 to open a single Woof Gang store. This total includes everything from build-out of the salon/store, equipment (grooming tables, dryers, freezers for treats, POS system, etc.), initial inventory, permits, and working capital. The franchise fee is $49,900 (paid upfront to join the system). Woof Gang reports that the mid-point startup cost is around $345,000, which they note is relatively low for the pet industry considering the earning potential (more on that shortly).
Ongoing franchise fees include a 7% royalty on gross sales and a 2% marketing fund contribution according to sharpsheets.io. These fees are about average to low for the pet franchise space, and Woof Gang even touts its fee structure as “among the lowest” in the industry. In addition, multi-unit franchisees can receive a royalty discount on additional stores. Apart from these, expect typical business expenses like rent for your retail space, staff wages (groomers, possibly a store manager), insurance, and supply costs.
Importantly, Woof Gang does provide some earnings data to help prospective owners gauge the financial opportunity. The company states that its average store revenue is about $740,000 per year. In fact, thanks to the high-demand dual concept, the average Woof Gang shop achieves annual sales that are more than double the mid-level investment – a strong sales-to-investment ratio in franchising. What about profitability? Woof Gang’s materials claim that after accounting for all expenses including paying a full-time manager, an average franchise store can net around $100,000 per year in profit for the owner. This is a notable earnings claim (essentially saying the typical franchisee can clear six-figure income) and underscores the strength of their unit economics. Of course, actual results vary by location and owner execution, but having $740K/year in sales and ~$100K in profit as a benchmark gives you an idea of what a Woof Gang franchise can achieve.
How the Industry Itself Compares
Franchising with Woof Gang means you’re entering the pet grooming and retail industry – a space that has both exciting advantages and some challenges. It’s valuable to compare this industry with the commercial cleaning industry (where Assett Franchise operates) in practical, financial, and operational terms. Both industries involve providing needed services, but they differ in customer base, revenue patterns, and day-to-day operations. Let’s look at how a pet franchise like Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming stacks up against a commercial cleaning business franchise model.
Woof Gang’s Industry Advantages
There’s a reason Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming has grown so quickly: the pet care industry is booming. Americans’ spending on pets is at an all-time high – projected to top $157 billion in 2025. Pet services, in particular, are on a growth trajectory. Grooming, pet hotels, daycare, and similar services have become routine expenses for many pet owners, not luxuries. In Woof Gang’s case, grooming demand is so strong that it makes up the majority of their business (over 1 million dog grooming appointments a year systemwide). This indicates a deep well of consumer need that franchisees can tap into. Moreover, pet industry growth has proven resilient. Woof Gang notes that even during economic downturns (like 2008 or 2020), pet spending still grew by around 5% as devoted “pet parents” continued to care for their animals. In fact, an estimated 95% of U.S. pet owners consider their pet a member of the family. This emotional bond translates into consistent demand – people will cut their own luxuries before they skimp on Fluffy’s grooming or favorite treats. The recession-resistant nature of pet care is a definite plus for Woof Gang’s industry.
Another advantage of Woof Gang’s niche is the multi-faceted revenue. Each franchise sells products in addition to services, which can diversify income. If grooming appointments are slow on a given day, retail sales of premium pet food or toys can pick up the slack. Woof Gang’s exclusive gourmet dog treats and high-end food selections also help drive repeat foot traffic – customers drop in regularly to buy pet supplies, not just when their dog needs a trim. This can foster a loyal community of pet lovers around the store. For franchise owners who are passionate about animals, running a Woof Gang can also be personally rewarding. You get to interact with pets and fellow pet enthusiasts daily, building relationships (and adorable Instagram moments) that make the work fun. Additionally, Woof Gang is a well-established brand with strong growth momentum. It has national marketing visibility in the pet space and has won accolades like “Retailer of the Year” in its category. Franchisees leverage that brand credibility, which can attract customers more easily than starting an independent pet shop from scratch. Overall, the pet grooming/retail industry offers a growing market, emotionally invested customers, and the chance to provide a feel-good service – all factors that make Woof Gang’s opportunity attractive.
However, it’s worth noting that the pet service business also comes with some practical considerations. Operations are inherently labor-intensive – skilled groomers are the backbone of the business, and finding/retaining great groomers can be challenging in some areas. There’s also a physical storefront to manage, which means retail rent and upkeep. And while pet spending is steady, it can be somewhat seasonal (for example, grooming appointments often spike before holidays or in spring when dogs shed winter coats). These aren’t deal-breakers, but they are part of the reality of the industry. Next, we’ll contrast this with the commercial cleaning industry, which has its own profile of advantages.
Compared to the Commercial Cleaning Industry
Now let’s talk about commercial cleaning – the industry Assett Franchise operates in – and how it compares. Simply put, commercial cleaning (janitorial services) is one of the most stable and scalable franchise industries out there. The market for cleaning offices, schools, medical buildings, warehouses, and other facilities is enormous and essential. In the U.S. alone, commercial cleaning is roughly a $100+ billion per year industry. Every business you see in any city needs cleaning, whether it’s a small office or a giant hospital. This built-in demand makes the cleaning sector recession-resistant and “essential” in all economies. Even during tough times (including recessions and the 2020 pandemic), companies still required janitorial services to maintain hygiene and operations. Cleaning isn’t a luxury that can be skipped – it’s a necessity mandated by health, safety, and basic business function. In contrast to pet grooming (which some might delay if budgets tighten), commercial cleaning contracts are often fixed into facility budgets, ensuring steady work for providers in almost any climate.
Another key difference is recurring revenue and stability. Commercial cleaning typically runs on long-term B2B contracts: for example, a business might sign a 1-year agreement for nightly cleaning of their office. This means as a cleaning franchise owner, you have predictable income each month from regular clients – you’re not waiting to see if customers walk in the door each day. Cash flow is smoother and not tied to retail seasonality. In fact, unlike a pet store that might depend on seasonal spikes (holidays) or one-off discretionary purchases, a cleaning business enjoys repeat revenue by design. As long as you keep your clients happy, they will continue the service indefinitely, and you don’t have to “resell” them each time. Some cleaning franchises report that a single good contract (like a large office building) can be the equivalent of hundreds of individual consumer sales in terms of revenue. Scaling up can also be more straightforward – to grow a cleaning business, you add more client accounts (and hire more cleaning staff accordingly), often without needing a new physical location or expensive equipment. In the pet franchise, expanding usually means opening another retail unit, with all the build-out costs that entails.
From an operational standpoint, commercial cleaning tends to have lower complexity and overhead. There is no storefront to lease in a prime shopping center – many cleaning franchisees work from a small office or even home base, since cleaning crews go out to the client’s facility. The initial equipment investment is minimal (carts, vacuums, supplies) compared to, say, a fully outfitted grooming salon with specialized tubs and tables. In fact, because no costly real estate or heavy equipment is required, cleaning franchises are often a low cost of entry business with high upside. Assett Franchise emphasizes this, noting that commercial cleaning doesn’t require buying property or major machinery, yet each franchise territory has “unlimited growth potential” up to a $1M+ business in annual revenue. That isn’t just marketing talk – many established cleaning franchise owners do achieve seven-figure yearly revenues. For example, The Cleaning Authority (a residential cleaning franchise) discloses that its franchisees average about $1.1 million in annual revenue per location according to franchisechatter.com, thanks to recurring customer contracts. With commercial accounts, hitting the million-dollar mark is very attainable as you accumulate multiple facility contracts over time.
Another advantage of the cleaning industry is that it’s generally non-seasonal and non-emotional. Offices need to be cleaned year-round on a consistent schedule – it’s not like landscaping or pest control where business might dip in winter, nor is it subject to consumer whims. You’re dealing with professional clients who value reliability and quality over trendy experiences. Competition in cleaning also tends to be highly fragmented (there are dozens of local and regional providers, but no single dominant giant), which means a new franchise can capture market share without going up against a PetSmart-sized competitor. Even a small slice of a $100B market can translate into a substantial business for a local operator. Additionally, advances in technology and systems (like scheduling software, quality tracking apps) have modernized cleaning operations, making it easier to manage remotely and efficiently.
In summary, the commercial cleaning industry offers: massive market size, essential steady demand, predictable recurring revenue, and a simpler, scalable operational model. From a long-term stability and profitability perspective, these factors often make cleaning franchises a more robust opportunity than businesses tied to consumer retail cycles. Of course, success in cleaning still requires work – you must maintain service quality and manage a team of cleaners – but the business model inherently supports growth (you can serve many clients with a small management footprint). Many cleaning franchise owners are able to run their businesses in a semi-absentee or executive capacity, devoting a part-time schedule to oversight once operations are in place. For instance, some Assett Franchise owners spend as little as 5–10 hours a week on the business, since cleaning crews handle the field work and systems handle the rest. By contrast, a pet retail franchise typically demands the owner’s daily presence or a full-time manager on-site to oversee store operations and customer service, which can mean a more hands-on commitment.
How the Assett Franchise Compares
Given the above comparison, how does Assett Franchise – our commercial cleaning franchise brand – stack up against an opportunity like Woof Gang? In many ways, Assett is designed to capitalize on all the strengths of the commercial cleaning industry while eliminating headaches that often come with service businesses. Here’s how Assett provides a “cleaner” alternative for entrepreneurs seeking long-term income, flexibility, and control.
Simpler Systems, Bigger Potential
Assett Franchise is already positioned in the stable commercial cleaning industry, so franchisees benefit from that $100B+ market demand and recession-resistant service need from day one. But Assett goes further by engineering a simpler, owner-friendly business model. It’s built for owners who want to work on the business, not in it. That means as an Assett owner, you are not expected to grab a mop or clean toilets – your role is to manage and grow the business (securing contracts, ensuring client satisfaction, and overseeing your team). In fact, Assett is an executive model franchise: franchisees focus on adding new buildings (clients) to their portfolio while their hired cleaning crew does the nightly cleaning work. You operate more like a CEO than a janitor, which is a crucial distinction. The franchise’s structure supports this by providing every system and process needed so you don’t need prior cleaning industry experience. No industry experience is required because Assett delivers a full business playbook and training program to teach you how to succeed in commercial cleaning. From day one, you get a proven marketing plan, client acquisition strategies, bidding templates, quality control checklists – essentially a turnkey business-in-a-box geared toward growth.
The income potential with Assett is significant. While Woof Gang’s average revenue is around $740K, Assett franchisees are aiming higher; each territory is built to become a $1M+ recurring revenue business with healthy profit margins. In fact, Assett’s franchise model was explicitly crafted to unlock seven-figure revenues without the constraints that many small franchises face. There are no artificial caps on growth (like protected accounts given to others) and no requirement to invest in multiple units to scale – one large territory can keep growing as you sign more contracts. According to Assett’s own data, franchisees have an “earning potential beyond $1M in gross sales” per year, precisely because they aren’t bogged down in doing the hourly work themselves. And because the cost of entry is relatively low (no build-out, etc.), the return on investment timeline can be faster. Assett likes to say it offers “low-cost startup with high earning potential,” and that’s borne out by its model. For someone transitioning out of a corporate career, the Assett Franchise provides a straightforward, scalable path: follow the system, build a client base, and manage a team – the recipe to a seven-figure business is already tested and proven.
Automated Hiring = Time and Money Saved
One of the biggest operational challenges in any service industry (whether pet grooming or cleaning) is hiring and retaining good staff. Assett Franchise tackles this head-on with a game-changing feature: an Automated Hiring System. Developed by Assett’s founder, Matt Pencarinha, in 2019, this proprietary system streamlines the entire employee recruitment and onboarding process. It uses technology and refined procedures to continuously attract, filter, and onboard reliable cleaning staff with minimal manual effort from the owner. The result? Assett franchise owners don’t spend their days (or nights) placing ads and interviewing dozens of candidates. The system is so efficient that it “saves you personally 20–30 hours per week” in hiring-related tasks, shrinking what could be a full-time HR job into just 2–5 hours of work per week. This is an enormous advantage – it’s like reclaiming the time and cost of an extra manager. In practical terms, the automated hiring system ensures you can always staff contracts quickly as you grow and reduces turnover by keeping a pipeline of vetted workers ready to step in. Assett franchisees don’t hit the growth ceiling that plagues many independent cleaning businesses, where the owner is stuck working all night because they can’t find enough dependable cleaners. Instead, you have a scalable workforce solution built into your franchise.
The time and money saved on hiring translate directly into better service and growth. With staffing under control, Assett owners can focus on training their team well, maintaining quality for clients, and signing new business. Assett’s automated hiring also means consistently high-quality crews – because the system filters for good candidates, your clients get better service, which in turn leads to longer client retention (and those sticky recurring revenues). Furthermore, franchisees can avoid the expense of hiring a full-time HR manager or recruiter, which saves tens of thousands of dollars a year. By removing the #1 headache in the cleaning industry (worker turnover and recruitment) according to bizbuysell.com, Assett gives its franchisees a true competitive edge. It’s a modern, tech-enabled approach that most traditional franchises (pet or otherwise) simply don’t offer. For an owner, this means more freedom – you’re not chained to constant hiring duties – and more confidence that you can meet growing client demand without operational bottlenecks.
Personalized and Founder-Led
Lastly, Assett Franchise distinguishes itself with a personalized, founder-led approach. Unlike many larger franchises that might be owned by private equity firms or distant corporate boards, Assett is a family-owned brand led by its founder, Matt Pencarinha. Matt is deeply involved in the business and mentorship of franchisees – as someone who has been a franchisee himself and then built Assett from the ground up, he understands what new owners need. This means when you join Assett, you’re not just a number in a system; you become part of a close-knit franchise community with direct access to the leadership. The support you receive is hands-on and customized, often including founder-led training sessions, one-on-one coaching calls, and an open door to share feedback or get advice. Many franchise brands tout support, but with Assett you’re getting it straight from the source (the founder) rather than layers of corporate bureaucracy.
This personal touch extends to the company’s culture and mission as well. Assett’s mission is focused on helping clients “remove the burden” of facility cleaning so they can focus on their own purpose. It’s a service-minded, community-oriented mission that resonates with schools, churches, medical facilities and other clients Assett serves. Franchise owners are encouraged to build relationships in their local business community and take pride in supporting other organizations’ success through quality cleaning. Being founder-led also means Assett can be more agile and responsive than franchises owned by investment firms. If changes need to be made or franchisees have ideas, leadership can implement improvements quickly without red tape. This is in contrast to a brand like Woof Gang, which after rapid expansion was sold to a private investment group in 2022 – once founders cash out, franchisees may find the culture shifts to be more corporate. Assett intentionally remains independent and founder-controlled to keep its values and support strong. For franchisees, that translates into a business where you feel like part of a family, with a CEO who knows you by name and is invested in your success.
In short, Assett Franchise offers a cleaner, simpler opportunity: it combines the scalable fundamentals of the commercial cleaning industry with innovative systems (like automated hiring) and a personal, mission-driven franchise culture. It’s built for first-time entrepreneurs who want a stable, semi-absentee business that can grow significantly without the complexity of retail operations.
Final Thoughts
Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming is undoubtedly a standout franchise in the pet sector – it has a strong brand, a thriving industry tailwind, and a proven model for the right owner (especially someone who is passionate about pets and enjoys a retail environment). If your dream is to work with animals every day and you’re excited by running a boutique pet spa, Woof Gang could be a rewarding path. It offers solid economics within a fun, community-based business.
That said, it’s important to consider what you want out of a business. If you’re looking for a franchise that provides scalability, stability, and simplicity of operations, the commercial cleaning route often comes out on top. Assett Franchise, in particular, delivers advantages that a pet franchise simply can’t match for someone focused on long-term financial growth and lifestyle flexibility. The cleaning industry’s predictable recurring revenue and essential demand mean you’re building a business on a rock-solid foundation – one that’s less vulnerable to consumer fads or seasonal swings. The operational model is lower complexity (no inventory to manage, no daily sales needed) and highly scalable without multiplying your workload. Assett’s unique systems (like automated hiring) further reduce the heavy lifting, allowing owners to achieve significant revenue with minimal daily headache. This leads to minimal risk and faster ROI on your investment, since expenses stay low while revenue can ramp up quickly as contracts accumulate. And crucially, Assett is a modern, executive-style franchise designed for owners who want to run a business – not buy themselves a job.
Ultimately, the best franchise opportunity is the one that aligns with your goals and lifestyle. Woof Gang excels in delivering a premium pet experience with decent earnings for an owner-operator. But if your priority is building a scalable, stable business with recurring income and low operational hassle, then Assett Franchise offers more of those advantages. It comes down to whether you see yourself managing a retail pet boutique or overseeing a lean, B2B service enterprise. For many corporate refugees and first-time business owners seeking financial freedom, the latter is a cleaner fit.
If you’re exploring franchise opportunities and want a model that can deliver long-term income, flexibility, and control — we’d love to show you how Assett Franchise can help you build a business that works for your life. Visit https://assettfranchise.com to connect with our team and learn more.
