How to Finance a Zoomin Groomin Franchise: Grooming on Wheels
By Chris Cornella
A Zoomin Groomin franchise loan funds a mobile pet grooming business that brings a fully outfitted grooming van to the customer’s driveway. With a $45,000 franchise fee and a total estimated investment of $64,974 to $205,400, much of the financing question comes down to one decision: whether to buy or lease the vans.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Zoomin Groomin; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice, so review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and an accountant.
Zoomin Groomin Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Initial franchise fee: $45,000, with a 10% discount for active military and veterans, according to the franchisor’s franchising site.
- Total initial investment: $64,974 to $205,400, including van acquisition or leasing, equipment and working capital.
- Royalty: 8% of revenue.
- Brand fund: 2%.
- Candidate profile: the franchisor cites a typical candidate net worth of $250,000 or more.
- System size: 257 vans open at year-end 2025, according to Item 20 data from the franchisor’s 2026 FDD, issued April 30, 2026.
- Franchisor financing: none offered directly.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S6564 with no additional directory notes.
What Is Zoomin Groomin?
Zoomin Groomin offers mobile grooming for dogs and cats of all sizes and ages. The franchisor is Zoomin Groomin USA LLC, a Virginia limited liability company headquartered in Virginia Beach, and the brand operates as part of a multi-brand franchise company.
The service. Grooming is done one-on-one and cage-free inside a branded van by certified groomers the franchisee hires. The franchisor highlights plant-based shampoos and conditioners and a water-saving system. Each van runs on an iPad-based platform for routing, scheduling, booking, payments and customer management, and its branded wrap doubles as advertising across the territory.
Growth. The franchisor reports growth from 15 vans in 2023 to 257 vans open at year-end 2025. Item 20 of the FDD also shows 31 owner transfers from 2023 through 2025, which means existing businesses do change hands.
Why lenders view it as a vehicle-based service business. There is no storefront lease or build-out. The main assets are the vans and grooming equipment, and revenue depends on groomer staffing, appointments per day and repeat customers. Lenders focus on van costs, the owner’s hiring plan and how quickly each van fills its schedule.
Zoomin Groomin Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. The franchisor lists a $45,000 initial fee. Active military members and veterans receive 10% off.
Vans and grooming equipment. The franchisor says the investment range includes van acquisition or leasing and equipment. The gap between the low and high ends likely reflects how vans are acquired and how many you start with, so confirm the assumptions behind each line in Item 7.
Technology, marketing and launch. The franchisor describes a launch system that covers online listings, search, ads and customer management, and says the typical time to launch is 3 to 4 months.
Working capital. The total includes working capital for groomer payroll, fuel, insurance and marketing while appointments build.
Total investment. The franchisor puts the total initial investment at $64,974 to $205,400. Review the full Item 7 table in the current FDD; categories to expect include:
- Initial franchise fee: $45,000
- Grooming van purchase, lease payments or deposits
- Van outfitting, wrap and grooming equipment
- Opening supplies and products
- Technology and software setup
- Launch marketing
- Insurance, licenses and training travel
- Additional funds for the initial period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty and brand fund. Zoomin Groomin charges an 8% royalty and a 2% brand fund, for a combined 10% of revenue. Item 6 of the FDD lists these and any technology, transfer or renewal fees.
How lenders factor these in. With 10% of revenue going to the franchisor, plus groomer pay, fuel, insurance and van payments, a Zoomin Groomin franchise loan has to be sized to what is left. Lenders typically model each van’s ramp-up separately and test whether debt service is covered before the schedule is full.
Vehicle costs. Vans need maintenance, tires and eventually replacement. Build a reserve so a breakdown does not interrupt payments.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchisor’s site cites a typical candidate net worth of $250,000 or more but does not state a formal minimum or a liquid capital requirement. Ask the franchise development team for current requirements, and expect lenders to set their own equity expectations.
Experience. Franchisees hire certified groomers rather than grooming themselves, so management, hiring and customer service skills matter most.
Training and approval. Training is delivered at headquarters in Virginia Beach, and prospects attend a Discovery Day during the path to ownership. Ongoing support covers operations, marketing, technology, HR and training.
Ways to Own a Zoomin Groomin
A new territory. A start-up owner pays the fee, acquires one or more vans, hires groomers and launches marketing. Lenders underwrite on projections and the owner’s background. See our pet care start-up financing options.
Buying an existing business. With 31 owner transfers recorded in recent Item 20 data, resales are a real path. A buyer gets vans, groomers and a customer list, and lenders can review actual results. Read our guide to buying a franchise resale and our page on pet care business acquisition financing.
Adding vans. Owners can also grow by adding vans within a territory. Each new van is a discrete financing decision tied to staffing.
Financing Options for a Zoomin Groomin Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can cover the franchise fee, vans, equipment and working capital, or the purchase of an existing business, subject to approval.
SBA 504 loans. The 504 program is built for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets. A mobile grooming business usually has no real estate, so 504 rarely fits.
Conventional term loans. Buyers with strong credit and collateral may use a conventional business loan, especially for an acquisition or expansion.
Van and equipment financing. Vans and grooming equipment can often be financed or leased on their own terms, which can lower the up-front cash needed. Learn about pet care equipment financing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Payroll and fuel start before every van is booked solid, and grooming demand can shift with seasons and holidays. A line of credit helps smooth those swings. See working capital for pet care businesses.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price. Any seller note would need to be acceptable to the senior lender, is typically subordinate to it and may be limited by program rules.
SBA Loans for Zoomin Groomin Franchisees
SBA lenders generally require a franchise brand to appear on the SBA Franchise Directory before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to its franchisees. Zoomin Groomin is listed under code S6564 with no additional notes, which means lenders can review a request under standard SBA procedures without brand-specific conditions flagged on the directory. A listing does not approve any borrower. See our article on SBA loans for pet care businesses.
Program size and tips. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though rules can change. Submit the FDD, franchise agreement, van quotes or lease terms, a personal financial statement, tax returns and projections by van. Our SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates, which are for planning only.
How Lenders Evaluate a Zoomin Groomin Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, plus a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders want cash for the equity injection and reserves left after launch, especially for van repairs and slow weeks.
Management experience. Lenders look for experience hiring and managing hourly or skilled staff, since the business depends on keeping certified groomers on the road.
Business plan and projections. Model appointments per van per day, average ticket, groomer pay, fuel, insurance, van payments, the 8% royalty and 2% brand fund and a ramp-up period. The franchisor publishes Item 19 financial performance representations in its FDD; use them as a reference, not a forecast.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal, transfer conditions and territory rights in Item 12 and Item 17.
Resale financials. For an existing business, provide tax returns, profit and loss statements, appointment history and van condition reports.
The Van: Buying, Leasing and Replacing
The van is the store. The buy-versus-lease decision shapes the size of a Zoomin Groomin franchise loan, your equity injection, monthly payments and collateral. Buying builds an asset that can secure financing but needs more cash or a larger loan up front. Leasing lowers the initial outlay but adds a fixed monthly payment that must be covered from day one. Either way, plan for maintenance, downtime and eventual replacement, and ask the franchisor which van specifications and outfitting are required.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development
Growth usually means adding vans in a territory or adding territories. Each van needs a groomer, so staffing, not just financing, sets the pace. Once the first van shows steady cash flow, lenders can underwrite that history alongside projections for the next. Read more about multi-unit franchise financing.
Real-World Scenarios
A first-time owner leasing one van. A buyer with management experience leases a single van to keep the initial investment near the low end and uses an SBA 7(a) loan for the fee and working capital.
A buyer purchasing an existing business. A buyer acquires a multi-van business from an owner who is moving on. The lender reviews actual results and van condition, and the franchisor approves the transfer.
An owner adding a second van. After the first van fills its schedule, the owner finances a second van through equipment financing and hires another groomer.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing to buy or lease vans without comparing the effect on cash and payments
- Leaving no reserve for van repairs and downtime
- Ignoring the combined 10% royalty and brand fund in projections
- Adding vans before groomers are hired
- Overlooking transfer terms and van condition on a resale
For more pitfalls, read the pet care business loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your Zoomin Groomin Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Review Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17, 19 and 20.
Step 2: Review with advisors. Work through the FDD with a franchise attorney and an accountant.
Step 3: Decide on vans. Get purchase and lease quotes and decide how many vans to start with.
Step 4: Build your loan package. Prepare your personal financial statement, tax returns, resume and van-by-van projections.
Step 5: Apply and coordinate. Align your lender’s timeline with training and the franchisor’s launch schedule.
Step 6: Close and launch. Take delivery of vans, hire groomers and start marketing.
Zoomin Groomin Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Zoomin Groomin franchise cost?
The franchisor lists a total initial investment of $64,974 to $205,400, including van acquisition or leasing, equipment and working capital.
What is the Zoomin Groomin franchise fee?
$45,000, with 10% off for active military and veterans.
What royalty does Zoomin Groomin charge?
An 8% royalty and a 2% brand fund contribution.
How much net worth do I need?
The franchisor cites a typical candidate net worth of $250,000 or more. Confirm current requirements with the franchisor.
Is Zoomin Groomin eligible for SBA loans?
Yes. It is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S6564 with no additional notes. Borrowers still need lender and SBA approval.
Can I finance the van separately?
Usually, yes. Vans and grooming equipment can often be financed or leased on their own terms.
Do I need to be a groomer?
No. Franchisees hire certified groomers, so management and hiring skills matter more.
Can I buy an existing Zoomin Groomin business?
Yes, if one is for sale and the franchisor approves. Item 20 data shows 31 owner transfers from 2023 through 2025.
Does Zoomin Groomin offer financing?
The franchisor says it does not offer direct financing. Review Item 10 of the FDD.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Yes. The franchisor publishes Item 19 financial performance representations. Review them with your advisors and do not treat them as a guarantee.
Final Thoughts
A Zoomin Groomin franchise loan is mostly about vans, groomers and working capital. Buyers who settle the buy-versus-lease question early, budget for the 10% combined fees and keep a reserve for the road give themselves the strongest case for SBA 7(a) or equipment financing.
US Professional Funding helps franchise buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and pet care business financing solutions.
