How to Finance an All Dogs Unleashed Franchise: Training Resorts
By Marc Cornella
An All Dogs Unleashed franchise loan pays for a dog training and boarding facility: the building or lease, kennels and play yards, turf, grooming equipment, a trained staff and the working capital to carry the business until its training and boarding calendar fills. Because the brand pairs residential board-and-train programs with boarding and grooming, the financing looks more like a pet resort deal than a mobile training business.
This article covers what the company says it costs to open, how the SBA Franchise Directory listing affects an All Dogs Unleashed franchise loan, and how lenders view new and existing locations.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by All Dogs Unleashed; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s website and Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) can change, loan programs and terms vary, and every loan is subject to review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice, so review the current FDD and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and accountant.
All Dogs Unleashed Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: dog training, including board-and-train and in-home programs, plus boarding and grooming under one roof.
- Home base: the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with company locations in Carrollton and Dallas, Texas.
- System size: the company’s franchising page says it has 20 locations up and running.
- Initial franchise fee: $60,000, according to the company’s current franchising page.
- Royalty: 7% of gross sales, per the same page.
- Estimated initial investment: $680,500 to $1,098,500 per location, per the same page.
- Net worth and liquidity: not published; the application asks how much capital you have and how you plan to finance.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S7118, with two notes covering the lease addendum and lien position.
Earlier company pages showed a lower fee, a lower royalty and a different investment range, so treat Items 5, 6 and 7 of the FDD you receive as the controlling figures for any loan request.
What Is All Dogs Unleashed?
All Dogs Unleashed was co-founded by Brian Claeys, its CEO, and Travis Lux, its president, who together built the training methodology the brand teaches. The company’s flagship operations are in Carrollton and Dallas, Texas, and its franchise network is overseen by a dedicated franchise leadership team.
The service mix. The company describes itself as a local dog shop offering training, boarding and grooming. Its training menu includes group obedience programs, behavioral programs for issues such as reactivity, separation anxiety and resource guarding, socialization, preparation for therapy and service work, private in-home instruction and an immersive residential board-and-train program. Dogs that complete board-and-train receive lifetime consultation access, according to the company.
The facility. Company materials describe a non-crowded facility with outdoor turf and indoor and outdoor play areas. That combination of kennels, play yards and training space is what drives the investment range well above a home-based training franchise.
How lenders view the concept. Lenders reviewing an All Dogs Unleashed franchise loan see service revenue with repeat customers and multi-week programs. They focus on facility cost, time to fill capacity, staffing and franchisor support.
All Dogs Unleashed Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. The company’s franchising page lists a $60,000 franchise fee. It is generally paid at signing, often before a loan closes, so plan for it in your cash budget.
Real estate and build-out. A training and boarding facility needs kennel runs, play yards, turf, drainage, sound control, HVAC and ventilation, grooming space and a front lobby. Whether you lease and improve a building or buy one, this is usually the largest piece of the budget.
Equipment and fixtures. Expect kennels and crates, fencing and gates, turf systems, grooming tables, tubs and dryers, sanitation equipment, cameras and software. Ask for the full specification list early and include contingency for permits and inspections.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening inventory, staff hiring and training, local marketing, insurance, deposits and operating reserves for the ramp-up period all belong in the plan.
Total investment. The franchising page states a total estimated initial investment of $680,500 to $1,098,500 per location. The FDD’s Item 7 table breaks that total into line items and lists its assumptions. Review it for categories such as:
- The initial franchise fee
- Real estate, lease deposits and rent before opening
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Kennels, fencing, turf and play yard equipment
- Grooming and sanitation equipment
- Technology, signage and opening supplies
- Training expenses and travel
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Make sure every quote you collect ties back to the Item 7 total before you apply.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your All Dogs Unleashed Franchise Loan
Royalty. The franchising page lists a royalty of 7% of gross sales. Because it comes off the top line, lenders deduct it before calculating cash available for debt service.
Marketing and technology fees. The company does not publish brand fund, local advertising or technology fees online. Item 6 of the FDD lists every recurring fee, and each one belongs in your projections.
How lenders factor these costs in. Lenders model revenue, royalty and fees, rent, payroll and loan payments, then test that model against slower occupancy.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
All Dogs Unleashed does not publish a minimum net worth or liquid capital figure. Its franchising pages say it is looking for motivated, dog-loving individuals, and company materials state that prior industry experience is not required because owners learn the brand’s training methods.
The online application asks how much capital you have available, how you plan to finance the franchise and which city you are targeting. The company also notes that most franchisees finance all or part of their investment. Expect discovery calls, a review of the FDD and approval before signing the franchise agreement.
Lenders add their own expectations for an All Dogs Unleashed franchise loan, including a cash injection, personal guarantees and reserves, so line up both approvals together.
Ways to Own an All Dogs Unleashed
A new location. Most owners in a growing system open a new facility. Lenders underwrite these deals on projections, the site and the owner’s financial strength. Our page on pet care facility start-up loans explains how a new build is typically financed.
Buying an existing location. If an owner sells, the buyer purchases the business assets and client base with franchisor approval. Lenders can review actual revenue, occupancy and expenses. Read about financing a pet care facility acquisition and our guide to buying a franchise resale.
Expanding a location. Company materials note that owners can expand their first location or open another, financed on the existing unit’s results.
Financing Options for an All Dogs Unleashed Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. The SBA 7(a) loan program can cover the franchise fee, build-out, equipment and working capital in one loan, and can include real estate.
SBA 504 loans. If you buy or build the facility, an SBA 504 real estate loan can finance the land and building with long-term fixed-rate debt. Owning the property also protects a location that is costly to relocate.
Conventional term loans. Owners with strong credit, collateral and experience may use conventional business loans, especially for a second location.
Equipment financing. Kennels, fencing, turf systems, grooming tubs and dryers, sanitation equipment and security cameras can be financed separately. See pet care equipment financing.
Working capital and lines of credit. A new facility may take months to build training enrollment and boarding occupancy, and boarding demand moves with holidays and travel seasons. Review pet care working capital and lines of credit for ways to manage payroll through slower periods.
Seller financing on resales. On the purchase of an existing location, a seller may agree to carry part of the price. A seller note must be acceptable to the senior lender, is typically subordinate to it, and SBA rules may limit how it can be used.
SBA Loans for All Dogs Unleashed Franchisees
SBA lenders check the SBA Franchise Directory to confirm a brand’s franchise agreement has been reviewed for eligibility. All Dogs Unleashed is listed under code S7118. A listing does not approve any borrower; it clears the franchise relationship so lenders can focus on you and your project.
What the directory notes mean. The listing carries two notes. First, when the real estate where the business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the brand’s Lease Addendum may not be executed. In plain English, that lease document is meant for leased sites; if you own the property and pledge it as collateral, the addendum should not be signed. Second, the lender must make sure it obtains the correct lien position on all collateral as SBA rules require. Expect your lender and closing attorney to review the franchise documents and any lease against both notes.
The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. Our SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates for planning only.
SBA application tips. Include the FDD, contractor quotes, monthly projections, personal financial statements, tax returns and a résumé showing management experience.
How Lenders Evaluate an All Dogs Unleashed Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit reports, tax returns and personal financial statements, and expect a personal guarantee from owners.
Net worth and liquidity. With a facility-based investment range, lenders want to see your cash injection plus reserves left after closing.
Industry and management experience. Experience managing staff, a service business or animal care helps. Show how you will recruit and retain trainers, kennel staff and groomers.
Business plan and projections. Build revenue around realistic training enrollment, board-and-train program length, kennel occupancy and grooming appointments. Model a ramp-up period and seasonality. Our guide to reading the FDD for financing covers which items lenders review.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders look at the term, renewal and transfer rules in Item 17, territory rights and whether the franchisor offers financing in Item 10. Check whether the FDD includes financial performance representations in Item 19.
Site and lease or real estate. Zoning for animal care, noise, outdoor yard space and parking all matter. Lenders will want a lease term that covers the loan term with renewal options, or an appraisal if you buy.
Historical financials for resales. Expect to provide several years of profit and loss statements, tax returns and revenue reports by service line.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development
Owners who succeed with one facility may add a second in a nearby market. Lenders underwrite the second location on the combined cash flow of the first plus projections for the new one, so a well-documented first year matters. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how lenders approach growth, and any development schedule in a franchise agreement should match a realistic capital plan.
Real-World Scenarios
A first-time owner leasing a building. A former manager with no animal care background leases a light industrial building, finances the build-out, kennels and working capital with an SBA 7(a) loan and completes the brand’s training before opening.
An owner buying the property. A buyer purchases a building with outdoor yard space using SBA 504 financing and a separate equipment loan, taking care that the lease addendum is not signed because the real estate secures the loan.
A buyer acquiring an existing location. A buyer purchases an operating facility from a retiring owner. The lender reviews several years of revenue, and the seller carries a small subordinate note.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying on older website figures instead of the current FDD
- Underestimating construction for kennels, drainage and sound control
- Signing a lease before the lender and franchisor review it
- Executing the lease addendum when the real estate will secure the loan
- Projecting full occupancy in the first months
- Leaving too little working capital for payroll during ramp-up
For more pitfalls, read the pet care business loan mistakes to avoid.
Next Steps to Finance Your All Dogs Unleashed Franchise
Step 1: Request the current FDD. Confirm the fee, royalty and Item 7 range with the franchisor.
Step 2: Review it with advisors. Have a franchise attorney and accountant review the agreement, fees and territory.
Step 3: Assess your capital. Total your liquid funds and decide how much you can inject while keeping reserves.
Step 4: Talk to a financing specialist. Learn which loan structure fits a leased or owned site.
Step 5: Secure a site. Confirm zoning and get contractor quotes for the build-out.
Step 6: Apply and close. Submit your plan, projections and documents, then coordinate the closing with your franchise and lease signings.
All Dogs Unleashed Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does an All Dogs Unleashed franchise cost?
The company’s franchising page lists a total estimated initial investment of $680,500 to $1,098,500 per location. Confirm the current range in Item 7 of the FDD.
What is the All Dogs Unleashed franchise fee?
The franchising page lists a $60,000 franchise fee. Earlier company pages showed a different amount, so rely on Item 5 of the current FDD.
What royalty does All Dogs Unleashed charge?
The franchising page lists a royalty of 7% of gross sales. Item 6 of the FDD lists all other recurring fees.
How much liquid capital or net worth do I need?
The company does not publish a minimum. Lenders will expect a cash injection and reserves, and the franchisor will review your finances during approval.
Can I get an SBA loan for All Dogs Unleashed?
Yes, the brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S7118, so eligible borrowers may apply for SBA 7(a) or SBA 504 financing, subject to lender approval.
Can I buy an existing All Dogs Unleashed location?
Yes, if an owner is selling and the franchisor approves the transfer. Lenders will review the location’s financial history.
Can a first-time business owner get an All Dogs Unleashed franchise loan?
Yes. The company says prior industry experience is not required, but lenders will weigh management experience, credit and liquidity.
Does All Dogs Unleashed offer financing?
The company notes that most franchisees finance all or part of their investment. Item 10 of the FDD discloses whether the franchisor offers any financing.
What documents do I need to apply?
Expect personal financial statements, tax returns, a business plan with projections, the FDD or franchise agreement, a lease or purchase contract and contractor quotes.
How long is the franchise term?
The company does not publish it online. Item 17 of the FDD lists the term, renewal and transfer conditions.
Final Thoughts
An All Dogs Unleashed facility is a real estate and build-out project as much as a training business. Confirm the current figures in the FDD, budget carefully for kennels and yards, mind the SBA directory notes and keep enough working capital to reach steady enrollment.
US Professional Funding helps buyers and owners finance franchise start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing solutions and our pet care facility financing.
