Loading FDD preview...
Download this + 1,700 other FDDs · One-time purchase
1,700+ FDDs structured for franchise professionals
We extract fees, Item 19 financials, franchisee contacts, SBA default rates, litigation, and outlet data from every FDD — so you can compare brands in minutes, not months. Used by multi-unit operators, consultants, and franchise development teams.
CENTRAL BARK
Central Bark franchises operate personalized canine care facilities offering day care, overnight boarding, grooming services, training, a specialty retail boutique for dogs, and other authorized products and services tailored to individual dogs' needs. The business model involves selling franchises to qualified operators who must adhere to the franchisor's system standards, specifications, and proprietary trademarks. It targets dog owners seeking comprehensive, high-quality pet care solutions.
Loading preview...
Download this + 1,700 other FDDs · One-time purchase
Franchise Costs
6% royalty + greater of 2% or $500/mo marketing fund + $495/mo technology fee
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 33 franchised CENTRAL BARK facilities open and operating throughout 2024 fiscal year
* Average Gross Revenue and Median Gross Revenue were extracted directly from the 'Gross Sales of Sales Group During 2024 Fiscal Year' table on Page 2. Revenue Top Quartile was taken as the median Gross Sales for the top tercile ($1,118,813) from Note 1 below the tercile table on Page 2. Revenue Bottom Quartile was taken as the median Gross Sales for the low tercile ($468,877) from Note 3 below the tercile table on Page 2. Average EBITDA was extracted directly from the 'Profit of Sales Group During 2024 Fiscal Year' table on Page 2. EBITDA margin percentage was calculated as Average EBITDA ($124,384) divided by Average Gross Revenue ($825,930). Average Gross Profit was calculated using the average Gross Profit percentage (51.1%) from the 'P&L Category' table on Page 5, applied to Average Gross Revenue (825930 * 0.511). Average Net Profit was derived from 'Operating Profit' (defined on Page 6, Note 8, as Gross Profit minus Operating Expenses, Royalties, and Marketing Expenses, before interest, amortization, depreciation, or taxes). It was calculated using the average Operating Profit percentage (15.1%) from the 'P&L Category' table on Page 5, applied to Average Gross Revenue (825930 * 0.151). Best Guess Profit Low and Best Guess Profit High were calculated using the explicitly stated low (-46.8%) and high (31.8%) percentages for 'Operating Profit' from Note 8 on Page 6, applied to Average Gross Revenue.
Extracted Item 19 Section
Avg. Revenue: $825,930
Unlock financial performance data with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports
Unlock financial performance dataCENTRAL BARK Franchise Analysis
Central Bark's all-in-one dog care facilities promise a tail-wagging opportunity in the booming pet services market, but FDD Item 19 earnings data and a robust SBA loan track record tell a story of both promise and peril. With steady expansion and specialized services like training and retail, the brand appeals to passionate operators—yet razor-thin margins raise questions about true profitability. Is this franchise's bark louder than its bottom-line bite?
Item 7 details a hefty initial investment of $569,200 to $1,394,250, topped by a $55,000 franchise fee—elevated compared to pet services norms of $300K-$800K. Ongoing fees stack up with 6% royalty (standard), the greater of 2% sales or $500/month ad fund, plus a $495/month technology fee, pushing total outflows higher than category averages. Item 19 shines with average gross revenue of $825,930 and median $770,229 across locations, but the 0% EBITDA margin underscores operational intensity, with estimated profits swinging wildly from -$386,535 to $262,646—highlighting high variance and risk of losses for underperformers.
System health shows 41 locations, growing 11% from 37 in 2023, with 9 projected new units signaling measured expansion in a fragmented market. SBA data bolsters confidence: 53 loans averaging $507,632 with an impressively low 3.8% default rate versus industry benchmarks over 10%. For investors, Central Bark offers strong top-line potential in a recession-resistant niche, but the high startup costs, fixed fees, and breakeven averages demand top-tier management and prime locations to avoid the profit pitfall—making it suitable for experienced operators with deep pockets, not novices.
Analysis based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.
How CENTRAL BARK Compares
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 87% of Pet Services franchises
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Pet Services
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CENTRAL BARK Current | $569K – $1.4M | $55K | 6.0% | 41 |
| PSP | $520K – $1.8M | $50K | 3.0% | 498 |
| DOG TRAINING ELITE | $174K – $203K | $110K | 8.0% | 395 |
| POOP 911 | $4K – $26K | N/A | 25.0% | 254 |
| WOOF GANG BAKERY | $184K – $507K | $50K | 7.0% | 236 |
| CAMP BOW WOW | $944K – $1.2M | $50K | 7.0% | 223 |
Pet Services Average 46 franchises | $346K – $692K | $52K | 7.6% | – |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 46 Pet Services franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
Unlock location growth data with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports
Unlock location growth dataSBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for CENTRAL BARK franchisees (2013 – 2025)
Loans by Year
SBA 7(a) loan activity over time
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
53 SBA loans on record
Unlock SBA loan history with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports
Unlock SBA loan historyFranchisee Contacts
58 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
58 Contacts Available
Unlock all CENTRAL BARK franchisee contacts with verified contact information
Unlock contactsDue Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Unlock due diligence reports with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports
Unlock due diligence reportsFrequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a CENTRAL BARK franchise ranges from $569,200 to $1,394,250. This includes a franchise fee of $55,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
More Services Franchises
THE UPS STORE (TRADITIONAL)
Services
AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
Services
JACKSON HEWITT TAX SERVICE
Services
SERVPRO (UNIT)
Services
H&R BLOCK
Services
SERVICEMASTER RESTORE
Services