Parker brothers find hotel mentality has helped grow business

Jason and Steven Parker were not allowed to have a pet while growing up in Scotch Plains — a fact of life the brothers can thank their parents for now.

That’s because — while in middle school in 1999 — Jason and Steven created a lucrative solution:

A business called K-9 Guardians Professional Pet Sitting.

“We just wanted to do something where we could play with dogs,” Jason Parker said.

It was just the beginning for the young entrepreneurs.

“We traveled all over the country attending seminars and industry conferences and touring premium pet care facilities,” Parker said. “We saw what we liked and what we didn’t out there in the industry.”

All in an effort to learn as much as they could before co-founding their own pet care facility, K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel in Fanwood, in 2005.

“When we opened up K-9 Resorts, I was actually still in high school,” said Parker, the president. “It was the second semester of my senior year and through the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School’s work-study program, I was able to go to school for a couple hours in the morning and then help run our business in the afternoon.”

Neither Jason nor Steven, CEO, ever looked back. In fact, instead of attending college, both simply wanted to keep moving forward.

So in 2006, the brothers sold K-9 Guardians Professional Pet Sitting for a six-figure sum in order to expand K-9 Resorts into the multimillion-dollar, award-winning franchise company it is today.

“We are a cage-free facility, and that’s what our clients really appreciate,” Parker said.

Currently, K-9 Resorts has five locations — Fanwood, Fairfield, Middletown, Madison and East Brunswick — and is in the process of opening two more in Hamilton and Horsham, Pennsylvania. For about $50 to $70 a day, K-9 Resorts customers can rest assured that, while they’re away, their dogs will be well taken care of within all-inclusive luxury designer suites or traditional cage-boarding options.

“An overwhelming majority of our clients also take advantage of doggie day care so that their dog is not just sitting in their room all day, but playing, socializing and going outside more frequently,” Parker said.

“By the time the dogs go back to their accommodations to sleep at night, they’re tired and have no anxiety.”

Or they always have the option to watch the color televisions tuned to Animal Planet in each room.

“We invest a lot of money into the materials that we use to build our K-9 Resorts locations,” Parker said.

Everything is premium, from the artificial turf outside with antimicrobial agents to the flooring systems to the air purification systems.

And even though it’s a more expensive layout, each building location is carefully designed to reduce pets’ stress levels and improve noise control and ventilation.

No wonder K-9 Resorts has been rated No. 1 by New Jersey Monthly Magazine, Courier News, Suburban Essex and Monmouth Health & Life Magazine, and also has been featured on Fox News, CNN, CNBC, The Wall Street Journal and Forbes.

“We wanted to start with New Jersey, branch out into neighboring states and then continue to grow into a national brand after that to make sure we have all the time and resources to support and dedicate to each franchise,” Parker said. “We’re extremely hands on and involved in every detail throughout every step of the way.”

While the goal is to grow to between 100 and 200 locations total, the company will at least be opening up three additional corporate stores and 12 more franchise locations over the next five years.

“The next three markets we’re going to focus on are Bergen County, the Bedminster/Bernardsville area and Cherry Hill,” Parker said.

Every month, K-9 Resorts boards more than 1,500 dogs. And each location that’s been open for more than a year has been sold out during peak times, or about 125 days a year.

In fact, K-9 Resorts in Fanwood is currently sold out until Labor Day.

“Being busy is a good problem to have,” Parker said.

To view the article on NJBiz.com, click here.

Not all dog daycare franchises are created equal and here’s why.

K9 Resorts has brought together all the best things about a dog daycare business to provide an experience that is unmatched in the industry. We’ve been voted number one in pet care across a variety of regions and it’s because of our dedication to pets, people, and service. Pet professionals like veterinarians, groomers, and more laud our state-of-the-art pet care facilities and not only refer us on a regular basis but use our services themselves.

Our franchisees turn to K9 Resorts because of our stellar support system and commitment to success. We’re dedicated to ensuring that every customer, across all of our locations, receives a high-quality experience every single time. Our dedication to the canine community is highlighted through our pet-focused processes and the continued support we provide our franchisees.

The K9 Resorts model has set itself apart through quality standards in dog boarding and daycare. Here are just a few features our pet care facilities have that make us stand out:

• State-of-the-art air purification systems
• Pet-safe courtyard with turf that features antimicrobial agents
• PCSA-certified staff

Focus on Pets

At K9 Resorts, we believe in putting pets first. Our optimal stress-free boarding environment is the perfect place for your precious pets. We’re not just another dog daycare facility. We ensure that every one of our locations is committed to creating the best experience for you and your pet each time. K9 Resorts is different because of our years of experience and real-world training.

What we saw in the industry were both stressed out pets and stressed out pet parents. Pet owners typically feel great guilt about boarding their animals because they come back stressed, smelly, and sometimes even sick. K9 Resorts stress-free dog boarding provides a calming yet exciting experience that your pets will actually enjoy. Our revolutionary processes make sure your dog is put with other canine companions of the same disposition, which makes for a stress-free stay. In addition, we specialize in cage-free boarding which means your pet isn’t left alone all night to worry.

We focus on customized programs suited to each dog’s temperament, ultra-hygienic cleaning methods, and the most luxurious accommodations in the industry to provide an optimal environment for your pet.

Those that own and staff our locations are given initial training so that they truly understand and appreciate our operational processes. Franchise owners are given continuing education so that staff is well educated in the duties they’re expected to perform as well as how to operate our proprietary systems.

Our facilities are clean, well-lit, have a pleasant odor, and are staffed with people who are incredible knowledgeable and truly care about dogs. That’s why K9 Resorts sets the standard in dog daycare and boarding. We attract and retain dedicated clientele who appreciate that we are just as devoted to their animals as they are.

Focus on Franchisee Success

The success of our brand depends on how involved we are in the success of our franchises and that’s one of the many things that sets us apart from other dog daycare franchises. The K9 Resorts dog daycare franchise setup is focused on supporting our franchisees so that they can uphold the high standards we’ve set for the industry. People choose K9 Resorts because of our outstanding facilities and dedication to the canine community.

As noted, our franchisees and staff receiving thorough initial and ongoing training to support our goals and so that they understand K9 Resorts proven business model. The staff at our locations aren’t just doing a job and skating by on minimum wage. They’re highly-qualified, trained dog handlers that are dedicated to the job. As a result, they’re likely to stay in the position longer and build with the brand.

In addition to the training support we provide our franchisees, the startup assistance we offer is unique. K9 Resorts works with preferred lenders who can lend up to 75 percent of the total initial investment for a franchise. In addition, we work with you to secure a site, negotiate a lease, find zoning attorneys, and even attend zoning meetings with you. If you’re building from scratch, we can help source a builder and architecture firm who knows what’s expected of our specifications. Our number one goal is to help you get your new business off the ground on time and within budget so that you can start providing our quality pet care to those in your area.

Have you ever wondered how much a dog boarding business makes? Learn more here:

How Much Does a Dog Boarding Business Make? A Look at the Profitability of Dog Daycare

We also provide a proprietary platform that helps you give your customers the service the expect while maintaining daily operations. K9 Connect integrates all business systems from client relations to marketing to employee management and even down to our mobile app. A well-rounded system that connects all facets of the business makes both the client experience and the employee experience seamless.

Focus on Customer Experience

K9 Resorts is set apart from other dog daycare businesses through their focus on the pet parent’s experience. We know how important people’s pets are and that’s why we want to ensure their experience is just as flawless as their furry friends at every location. K9 Resorts began with a belief that a superior boarding experience was possible and through years of experience with dedicated pet owners, the brand was born.

We focus on making sure each customer feels comfortable leaving their precious pets in our care. One of the top complaints of anyone’s boarding experience is that they feel guilty for having to leave their pets behind while they travel. This fear comes from the typical boarding experience. When they return, their pets are dirty, stressed, and sometimes sick. We wanted to change that.

From the second a pet parent walks into any of our locations, they feel comforted by the facility. K9 Resorts locations are well-lit, smell nice, and are staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals. In addition, we offer things like online booking, a mobile app, and a range of convenience services that pet owners can add on to their pet’s stay.

Contact Us

Everything that K9 Resorts does is focused on creating an optimal, stress-free environment for both pets and pet owners. With a growing, recession-proof industry like pet care, now’s the time to open the business of your dreams. If you’d like to learn more about K9 Resorts franchising opportunities, contact us today!