Dogtopia has just signed the largest franchise agreement in the brand’s history, with plans to bring 60 locations to cities across the U.S., with existing franchisees.
The deal is being led by current Portland franchisee, Jamie Weeks and private equity firm Prospect Hill Growth Partners (PHGP), who have partnered up to form Legacy Franchise Concepts (LFC) to lead the development. LFC has purchased Weeks’ 15 Dogtopia licenses in Oregon, bringing the deal to 72 new locations in total. He will serve as the executive chairman of LFC.
“This is an exciting day for us all, and we are thrilled to continue the partnership with Jamie and embrace the long-term partnership with Prospect Hill Growth Partners as we work together to deliver our unmatched daycare services to more dogs and parents,” said Neil Gill, CEO of Dogtopia.
“We believe this large-scale agreement with PHGP validates Dogtopia’s compelling unit economics for single and multi-unit franchise partners to grow with us in other available territories.”
In addition to Portland, LFC will develop Dogtopia centers in the following locations: Las Vegas, NV; San Diego, CA; Cincinnati, OH; Tampa, FL; Chattanooga, TN; Little Rock, AR; Huntsville, AL; Augusta, GA; and Columbia, SC. The group has plans to open at least eight centers a year.
“After opening three successful daycares, I am looking forward to growing even more with Dogtopia over the next several years,” said Weeks.
“I believe strongly in Dogtopia’s mission of canine wellness and know that together, we can make a positive impact on the booming pet industry.”
“We’re excited to invest alongside Jamie in LFC, a platform with multiple legs for growth,” says Jeff Teschke, partner at PHGP.
“The team and culture at LFC truly set the organization apart, and we look forward to accelerating growth at Dogtopia and other leading consumer brands over the next several years. Our experience with both Orangetheory Fitness and Crunch Fitness will help establish a strong foundation for another world-class platform delivering exceptional consumer experiences.”
