How to Finance a Bark & Mane Franchise: Mobile Grooming Vans
By Chris Cornella
A Bark & Mane franchise loan pays for a mobile pet grooming business built on a fleet of custom grooming vans rather than a storefront. The money goes to the franchise fee, vans and their grooming equipment, scheduling technology, groomer hiring and the working capital needed while recurring appointments build. The brand was known as Aussie Pet Mobile until its recent rename, and its franchisor is still Aussie Pet Mobile, Inc.
This article covers what the franchisor says it costs to start, how its fleet requirement shapes a Bark & Mane franchise loan, what the SBA Franchise Directory listing means and how lenders view new territories and resales.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Bark & Mane; 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.
Bark & Mane Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: mobile, cage-free pet grooming delivered at the client’s door in climate-controlled vans.
- History: the company says it has served pet owners since 1996 and came to the United States from Australia in 1999.
- System size: more than 450 mobile grooming vans serving communities nationwide, according to the franchise site.
- Initial franchise fee: $119,950, with a 15% discount for qualified veterans.
- Estimated initial investment: $167,325 to $208,360, citing the 2026 FDD; costs vary with territory and fleet size.
- Liquid capital: $105,000 required.
- Territory: a package of three protected territories totaling roughly 100,000 households minimum.
- Fleet: owners start with at least 3 grooming units in the first year and can grow to 9 to 12 vans.
- Royalty, technology fee and national advertising fund: sliding scale or percentage of gross revenue, set out in Item 6.
- Franchisor financing: in-house financing of up to $80,000 for qualified candidates.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S8922, with a note on lien position.
What Is Bark & Mane?
Bark & Mane offers full-service grooming and add-on services in vans that pull up to the client’s home. The company emphasizes low-emission vans, cage-free service and a climate-controlled grooming space, and it promotes a recurring appointment program so pets are booked on a regular schedule. The franchise site notes that pets generally need grooming every 6 to 8 weeks, which is why recurring bookings matter to cash flow.
An executive owner model. Owners do not usually groom. The franchisor says franchisees focus on operations, oversight and leading a team of hired groomers, and that most owners came in without grooming experience. The brand helps owners get their groomers safety-certified and provides scheduling software for bookings, add-ons and reviews.
Why lenders view it the way they do. A Bark & Mane franchise loan finances rolling equipment, not a building. Lenders see a modest investment, a collateral base made up of vans, recurring service revenue and a business whose growth depends on hiring and keeping groomers. Their questions focus on fleet cost, groomer recruiting and how quickly each van fills its schedule.
Bark & Mane Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. The franchise site lists a $119,950 fee, with qualified veterans eligible for 15% off. Owners receive an upfront package of three protected territories. The fee is generally paid at signing, so plan for it in your cash budget even if a loan funds other costs. Our article on franchise financing for veterans explains how a veteran discount fits into a funding plan.
Vans and grooming equipment. Each unit is a custom grooming van fitted with a tub, table, dryers, clippers, water and power systems and climate control. Because the franchisor requires at least 3 units in the first year, vehicles are the largest piece of most budgets.
No storefront build-out. Unlike a salon, there is no retail lease or construction. That keeps the investment lower, but it also means lenders lean on the vans and the owner’s personal strength for collateral.
Opening costs and working capital. Groomer recruiting and training, local marketing, insurance, fuel, supplies, technology and payroll during the ramp-up belong in the plan.
Total investment. The franchise site states a total investment of $167,325 to $208,360, referencing the 2026 FDD, and notes that actual costs depend on territory and the number of vans in the fleet. Item 7 breaks that range into line items. Review it for categories such as:
- The initial franchise fee
- Grooming vans, or vehicle lease or down payments
- Grooming equipment and supplies
- Vehicle graphics and branding
- Computer hardware, software and phones
- Insurance and licenses
- Training expenses and travel
- Grand-opening and local marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Check whether the Item 7 range assumes vans are purchased, financed or leased, since that assumption changes how much you need to borrow.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty, technology and advertising. The franchise site says the royalty, technology fee and national advertising fund contribution are each a sliding scale or percentage based on gross revenue and number of territories, and refers buyers to Item 6. Lenders deduct these from revenue before measuring cash available for debt service.
Fleet operating costs. Fuel, maintenance, tires, insurance and van replacement are recurring costs that a storefront business does not carry in the same way. Lenders expect projections to include them per van.
Groomer pay. Labor is the largest operating cost. Projections should reflect how groomers are paid and how many appointments each van can complete per day.
How lenders factor these in. Underwriters build a per-van model, roll it up across the fleet and test whether the combined cash flow covers vehicle payments and any business loan with a cushion.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
- Liquid capital: $105,000, according to the franchise site.
- Fleet commitment: at least 3 grooming units in the first year.
- Experience: no grooming background is required; the franchisor describes owners as business operators who hire groomers.
The approval process. The franchisor lists five steps: a discovery call, a franchise application, a review of the FDD, funding and territories, a Meet The Team Day and signing the franchise agreement. Because funding is reviewed in the third step, start financing conversations early.
Ways to Own a Bark & Mane
A new territory package. Most buyers start with a new three-territory package and build a fleet. Lenders underwrite these deals on projections, the Item 7 budget and the owner’s liquidity. Our page on pet care business start-up financing explains how these requests are structured.
Buying an existing franchise. An established owner may sell a business with vans, groomers and a recurring client book. The franchisor must approve the transfer, and lenders can underwrite actual route revenue. See our guide to buying a franchise resale.
Growing a fleet. Adding vans within your territories is how most owners grow, and it is usually financed one or a few vehicles at a time.
Financing Options for a Bark & Mane Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. The brand’s directory listing makes an SBA 7(a) loan available to eligible borrowers. It can cover the franchise fee, vans, equipment and working capital in one package.
Conventional term loans. Borrowers with strong credit and liquidity, or buyers of an established franchise, may use a conventional business loan.
Equipment and vehicle financing. Vans and grooming equipment are well suited to equipment loans or leases, which use the vehicle as collateral and preserve cash. Learn about pet care equipment financing.
Franchisor financing. The franchise site says qualified candidates can access in-house financing of up to $80,000. Confirm the terms in Item 10 and make sure any franchisor note fits alongside other debt. Our article on franchisor financing explains how lenders treat these notes.
Retirement funds. The franchisor also mentions using 401(k) funds. These structures carry legal and tax requirements, so review them with qualified advisors. Read our overview of using a 401(k) to buy a franchise.
Working capital and lines of credit. Groomer payroll, fuel and marketing come before the appointment book is full. A line of credit can bridge that gap and fund repairs. See pet care working capital and lines of credit.
Seller financing on resales. A selling owner may carry part of the price. A seller note is typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA programs may limit its terms.
SBA 504 loans are built for real estate and long-lived fixed assets, so they rarely fit a mobile business without a building.
SBA Loans for Bark & Mane Franchisees
SBA lenders generally require a franchise brand to appear on the SBA Franchise Directory before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to one of its franchisees. A listing clears the franchise relationship for review; it does not approve any borrower.
The Bark & Mane listing. The brand is listed under code S8922. Its note says the lender must obtain the correct lien position on all collateral, as SBA rules require. In plain English, the lender will want a clear, properly ranked lien on the vans, equipment and other business assets, so coordinate any separate van financing or franchisor note with the SBA lender before closing.
The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. Use our SBA loan calculator for planning estimates; results are not an offer or approval.
How Lenders Evaluate a Bark & Mane 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. The $105,000 liquid capital requirement is a starting point. Lenders also want reserves after your injection.
Management experience. Because owners hire and lead groomers, lenders value management, recruiting and customer service experience more than grooming skills.
Business plan and projections. Model appointments per van per day, average ticket, recurring client retention, groomer pay, fuel and maintenance, and the timing for adding vans 2 and 3.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read Items 6, 7, 10 and 17 and the territory terms. Check Item 19 to see whether the FDD includes financial performance representations.
Historical financials for resales. Provide profit and loss statements, tax returns, client counts and van maintenance records.
Equipment and Fleet Planning
Vans are both the core asset and the main collateral. Ask the franchisor about required van specifications, approved upfitters, warranty coverage and expected replacement cycles. Keep maintenance records from day one, since lenders and future buyers will ask for them. Plan for a spare-van or rental strategy so a breakdown does not cancel a full day of appointments.
Multi-Unit Growth and Fleet Expansion
The franchisor describes growth to 9 to 12 vans over time. Each added van needs a groomer, so hiring capacity limits growth as much as financing does. Lenders will finance additional vans more readily once the existing fleet shows full schedules and steady collections.
Real-World Scenarios
A corporate manager starting fresh. A buyer with management experience signs for a territory package, uses an SBA 7(a) loan for the fee and working capital and finances the first vans with equipment loans.
A veteran using the discount. A qualified veteran applies the fee discount, combines personal savings with franchisor financing and hires groomers before launch.
A buyer acquiring an established fleet. A buyer purchases an existing franchise with several vans. The lender reviews client retention and van condition, and the seller carries a small subordinate note.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Budgeting for one van when the franchisor requires at least 3 in the first year
- Leaving out fuel, maintenance and van replacement from projections
- Assuming vans will be booked fully before groomers are hired and trained
- Stacking a franchisor note and van loans without checking lien priority
- Using retirement funds without professional advice
Read more in our article on pet care business loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Bark & Mane Franchise
Step 1: Review the FDD. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 2: Confirm your liquidity. Make sure you have the $105,000 in liquid capital plus reserves.
Step 3: Plan your fleet. Decide how the first 3 vans will be bought or leased.
Step 4: Build projections. Model per-van revenue, groomer pay and fleet costs.
Step 5: Apply for financing. Submit your package and coordinate with franchisor approval and any franchisor financing.
Step 6: Hire and launch. Recruit groomers early and keep working capital for the first months.
Bark & Mane Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Bark & Mane franchise cost?
The franchise site lists a total investment of $167,325 to $208,360, citing the 2026 FDD. Costs vary with territory and fleet size.
What is the Bark & Mane franchise fee?
$119,950, with a 15% discount for qualified veterans.
What royalty does Bark & Mane charge?
The royalty, technology fee and national advertising fund are a sliding scale or percentage of gross revenue based on number of territories. See Item 6.
How much liquid capital do I need?
$105,000, according to the franchise site.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Bark & Mane franchise?
Yes, for eligible borrowers. The brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8922.
Does Bark & Mane offer financing?
The franchisor says qualified candidates can access in-house financing of up to $80,000. Confirm details in Item 10.
Can I finance the vans separately?
Yes. Vans and grooming equipment can be financed or leased apart from the main loan, as long as lien priority is coordinated.
Do I need grooming experience?
No. The franchisor says most owners had none and hire groomers.
Can I buy an existing Bark & Mane franchise?
Yes, with franchisor approval. Lenders will review the business’s financials and fleet condition.
Is Bark & Mane the same as Aussie Pet Mobile?
Yes. Aussie Pet Mobile is now Bark & Mane, and the franchisor entity is Aussie Pet Mobile, Inc.
Final Thoughts
A Bark & Mane franchise loan is really a fleet loan paired with working capital. Buyers who budget for the full first-year fleet, coordinate van financing with any SBA or franchisor debt and hire groomers early give their business the best start.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, vehicles, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and pet care business financing solutions.
