Live the dog lover’s dream and be your own boss, running a multi award-winning pet care franchise.
A lifestyle with flexibility, a growing full-time income and the rewards of making a really positive difference to the lives of pet lovers and their four-legged best friends – what’s not to like?
Why not escape the ordinary, leave the 9-5 office grind behind and become your own boss with Barking Mad?
Sharing our pet care sector knowhow, systems and brand name has enabled our large network to start or grow their own successful businesses via the franchise route.
Our 70+ franchise owners love what they do and reap the benefits of a successful, flexible, family-friendly career.
Why Barking Mad?
- Over 20 years’ experience – we are proud to be an award-winning, leading franchise in our sector.
- Best Pet Care Franchise – as awarded by The Elite Franchise Top 100 for the LAST 6 YEARS in a row!
- A highly flexible business opportunity – allowing you to run it around other personal commitments.
- Great earnings potential, as well as achieving the work/life balance you really want.
- A market leading launch package – including marketing activity, licensing support and insurance.
- The UK’s most-trusted pet care provider – as verified by our substantial number of Trustpilot reviews – over 9,000 and counting!
- Fantastic support available to our franchise network including: Animal welfare licensing support, Social-media, Sales & Marketing support, Operational, Accounting and IT support, Dog behaviour training, canine first aid certification and other practical coaching.
Join Our Pack
Would you jump at the chance to ditch your current routine and enjoy spending every day in the company of adorable dogs and fellow dog lovers? John and Elaine Warburton, winners of the British Franchise Association Lifestyle Award, describe buying a Barking Mad franchise as,
“the best decision we have ever made”
Self-confessed, ex ‘wage slave commuter’ John explains:
“As animal lovers, the concept of home-from-home dog boarding held huge appeal. The Barking Mad franchise system’s tried, tested and proven operating procedures were a major factor in our decision, along with the training, support and potential for growth to an impressive six figure turnover.”
Dog ownership in the UK has surged over the past few years, with an estimated 34% of the UK population now owning a dog, which equates to over 13m dogs*! Therefore, Barking Mad is expanding across the UK and needs motivated business owners to meet demand. Could this be you?
Comprehensive Business and Customer Support
Starting out on your own can be really tough and new entrants to the market need to stay ahead of the competition. According to a recent report in ‘The Times’, 20% of sole traders fail within a year and 60% fail within five years. Launching a franchise with a prominent brand name, with the added support of a dedicated HQ team, means that your new venture has the best possible start.
Barking Mad’s team of experts are specialists in all areas of the business, so you don’t have to be! From sales and accounts advice, to social media and online marketing support, help is on hand. Franchisees are guided every step of the way with one-to-one business planning and expert training guides.
As part of Franchise Brands plc since 2016, our franchisees also benefit from the knowledge of a group of market-leading franchise businesses who share the same support services, with huge commitment to investment and innovation.
Loyal Repeat Business and Referrals in a Massive Growth Industry
When you buy a Barking Mad franchise, you will benefit from our brand’s loyal repeat business and referrals in a massive growth industry. Our customers love our service, as demonstrated by our independent 5* Trustpilot reviews.
Tapping into potential in the pet market requires knowledge of a complex sector, but with a Barking Mad franchise, our proven and successful business model will give you all the tools you need to achieve your entrepreneurial, pet care dreams.
Top Dog Brand Leader
A strong brand and extensive expert resources mean we have a tried and tested recipe for your success. Barking Mad has a strong brand presence both online and offline, as well as being featured by the national media including the BBC, ITN, Daily Mail, Metro, Evening Standard and many more.
If you’re a pet lover, with ambition and a dedication to first class customer service, then Barking Mad could be perfect for you. Our franchise owners create profitable and successful businesses with the support and expertise of our leading national brand. They enjoy an enviable work-life balance whilst indulging their passion for pets.
Join a business community who love pets as much as you do. Territories are strictly exclusive and available on a first come first served basis, so why not get in touch today? We’d love to chat to you about taking the first steps to becoming a dog care entrepreneur. Request an information pack today to find out more.
*The franchise is £9,995+VAT, and with our PAYG option, we can get you started with as little as £4,995 +VAT to set up. Barking Mad also has a great relationship with high street banks and there is also the option of a Government start up loans scheme, subject to acceptance.
* Dog population in the UK 2022 | Statista
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Barking Mad’s Louise expands to second territory in just two years
A Barking Mad franchisee is celebrating after expanding her territory, to match even more doting dog owners with helpful hosts.
Louise Jones bought the territory of Market Harborough in April 2022, launching Barking Mad in the area for the very first time. Since then, she has established a stronghold of pet hosts who are on hand throughout the year to support owners looking for a home from home for their pets while they go on holiday.
Now, she’s expanding into neighbouring Loughborough, an existing territory which is being sold by its previous owner. Taking on additional team members to service demand, as well as a wealth of new hosts, Louise is excited about what the future has in store.
She said: “Over the last two years I’ve seen my business go from strength to strength. I now have a fantastic community of hosts in Market Harborough who support an incredible customer base, built up through recommendations and word of mouth.
“I’d always thought it would be nice to expand one day, but I didn’t think the opportunity would come up so quickly. When it did, I reflected on how far I’ve come in such a short space of time and knew I couldn’t miss it.
“Barking Mad is a unique business model, where I’m essentially match making people with animals that make them happy. And when a customer has a great experience with you once, they know they can holiday in total peace of mind, so they always come back to us. To be the person responsible for bringing all of that to people is brilliant – there is nothing better, and now I get to do it in two areas rather than one!”
Louise knows the area of Loughborough well, having worked there previously when she was a PA to fitness expert Rosemary Conley, a post she held for 15 years. Following that role, Louise worked for the Peter Jones Academy, an enterprise created by the Dragons Den star to help young people starting their own businesses. She then moved into fundraising, working for the NSPCC, and Leicester Children’s Hospital’s charity arm, forging relationships with major donors and high net worth individuals.
She added: “When I joined Barking Mad, it was to create a better work-life balance, following years of intense jobs. I wanted to have the freedom to choose how and when I work, and Barking Mad has ticked every box in that respect.
“I’m now entering a new era and while I know I’m going to be busy, I’m really excited for the challenge and to build even further on what I love doing. Starting a franchise was a huge decision for me, but it’s one I’ll never look back on. Now let’s see what two franchises is like!” concludes Louise.
Meet the Barking Mad BFA Lifestyle Winners
Meet Two of Barking Mad's Franchisees
Barking Mad Video
