How to Finance a Pups Pub Franchise: Dog Park Bar Build-Outs
By Marc Cornella
A Pups Pub franchise loan funds an unusual hybrid: an off-leash dog park joined to a full-service bar, where owners relax with a drink while their dogs play indoors and outdoors. That combination means the loan has to cover two very different build-outs at once, a durable, sanitary dog play area and a licensed bar, plus the working capital to grow a membership base.
This article explains how the Pups Pub concept works, which costs to confirm in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), what the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing and its note mean, and how lenders look at a dog bar deal.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Pups Pub; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures in 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; review the current FDD and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant.
Pups Pub Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: an off-leash, indoor and outdoor dog park combined with a sports bar serving a full liquor menu.
- Home market: a Florida-based brand with locations in Tampa and Orlando.
- Revenue model: bar sales plus dog park access, including a monthly membership program, along with events.
- Site types: new construction or conversion of an existing sports bar, typically in urban, mixed-use or apartment-dense areas.
- Fees and investment: we could not verify the current franchise fee, royalty or Item 7 investment range from the franchisor’s own materials or FDD; get them from the current FDD.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed, with a note about the Addendum to Lease and Site Selection Addendum when real estate secures the loan.
What Is Pups Pub?
Pups Pub is a “dog bar”: a social venue where dogs run off-leash in a supervised park area while their owners eat, drink and watch games at the bar. Unlike a dog daycare, the owner stays on site, so the business sells an experience for both pet and person.
The brand’s model blends membership and hospitality. Guests typically need their dogs registered and vaccinated before entering the park, and regular visitors can join a monthly membership. Bar sales, events and parties add revenue on top of park access.
Why lenders look closely. A Pups Pub franchise loan combines pet-care facility risks (animal safety, sanitation, liability insurance) with bar risks (liquor licensing, staffing and late hours). It is also a young franchise system with a small number of open units, so lenders lean on the owner’s experience, the site and the business plan rather than a long system track record. Our article on financing an emerging franchise explains how lenders handle newer brands.
Pups Pub Franchise Costs
We could not verify current cost figures from the franchisor’s own published materials, so this section explains what to look for in the FDD. Ask for the current FDD early; every figure a lender uses will come from it.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 states the fee, when it is due and any discounts, such as for early franchisees or veterans. Note whether it changes for a second unit or a development agreement.
Real estate and build-out. This is usually the largest cost. A Pups Pub needs a large indoor space plus outdoor park area, which is far more square footage than a typical bar. Build-out includes the bar itself, restrooms, kitchen or food prep space if offered, HVAC sized for animals and people, drainage, and fencing and double-gated entries for the park. A conversion of an existing bar can reduce construction, but the outdoor park and animal-safe surfaces still need work.
Equipment and fixtures. Bar equipment, draft systems, coolers, televisions and audio, point-of-sale and membership software, furniture, artificial turf or other park surfaces, water stations, waste systems and cleaning equipment.
Opening costs and working capital. Liquor license costs, permits, insurance, pre-opening payroll and training, opening marketing and the “additional funds” line in Item 7.
Total investment. Item 7 shows the full low-to-high range, often split between new construction and conversion sites. Read the footnotes for square footage and lease assumptions. Expect line items such as:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and rent during construction
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Artificial turf, fencing and park surfaces
- Bar equipment, furniture and fixtures
- Technology, point-of-sale and membership systems
- Signage
- Liquor license, permits and insurance
- Opening inventory and grand-opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 lists recurring fees, typically a royalty on gross sales, a brand or marketing fund contribution, technology fees and local advertising requirements. Confirm each, plus any renewal, transfer and remodel obligations.
How lenders factor these costs in. Lenders deduct royalties and fund contributions from projected sales, then subtract rent, payroll, liquor and food costs, turf maintenance and insurance. What remains has to cover debt service with a cushion. Because a dog bar is open long hours and needs park attendants as well as bartenders, labor is a major line.
Seasonality. Outdoor park use rises and falls with weather. In hot or rainy months the indoor area carries more of the business, so projections should model monthly swings rather than a flat average.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not verify published net worth or liquid capital minimums. Ask the franchisor, and expect a lender to set its own expectations based on the project size. The franchisor has said it is looking for qualified individuals and teams, and owners with bar, restaurant or hospitality management experience will generally present a stronger case to both the franchisor and a lender.
The approval process. Expect an inquiry, FDD review, discovery meetings, site evaluation and franchisor approval of the location before the franchise agreement and lease are signed. Lenders typically want the franchise agreement, a site and a construction budget before final approval.
Ways to Own a Pups Pub
New construction. Building from the ground up or from a shell gives the most control over layout but carries the highest cost and longest timeline. Lenders underwrite on projections, construction bids and the owner’s experience. Read about pet care facility start-up financing.
Converting an existing bar. Converting a sports bar can shorten construction and may come with existing bar infrastructure. Lenders want an inspection, a realistic renovation budget and confirmation that the site can support the outdoor park. Our article on conversion franchise financing covers how these deals work.
Buying an existing location. As the system grows, an operating Pups Pub may come up for sale. A buyer gains a membership base and sales history that lenders can underwrite, subject to franchisor approval under Item 17 and a transfer of the liquor license.
Financing Options for a Pups Pub Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because Pups Pub is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can fund the franchise fee, leasehold improvements, equipment and working capital in one package.
SBA 504 loans. If you buy the land and building, an SBA 504 loan can finance owner-occupied real estate and long-lived improvements, with a separate loan for equipment and working capital.
Conventional term loans. Owners with strong liquidity and hospitality track records may use a conventional business loan, especially for later units.
Equipment financing. Draft systems, coolers, televisions, turf, fencing and cleaning equipment can be financed separately, with the asset as collateral. See pet care equipment financing.
Working capital and lines of credit. A line of credit helps with liquor and food purchases, payroll during the membership ramp-up and slower weather months. Learn about pet care working capital and lines of credit.
Seller financing on resales. When buying an existing location, a seller may carry part of the price. Any seller note is typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules may limit its terms.
SBA Loans for Pups Pub Franchisees
SBA lenders use the SBA Franchise Directory to confirm a franchise agreement has been reviewed for SBA eligibility. Pups Pub is listed under code S8099, so SBA lenders can consider loans to its franchisees. A listing does not approve any borrower; your credit, cash flow and collateral decide the loan.
What the directory note means. The listing notes that when the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Addendum to Lease and Site Selection Addendum may not be executed. In plain English, those two franchisor documents are designed for a leased site: they give the franchisor certain rights in the lease and govern how the leased location was chosen. If you own the property and pledge it as collateral, those documents are not signed in that form, which matters if you plan a 504 or real estate-backed 7(a) loan.
Loan size. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
Veterans. Veteran buyers should ask the franchisor about any discounts in Item 5 and read our article on veteran franchise financing.
How Lenders Evaluate a Pups Pub Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of credit, tax returns and personal debt, and a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Construction projects run over budget, so lenders want reserves beyond your equity injection.
Industry and management experience. Bar, restaurant or hospitality management experience is a strong plus. Experience with animal care, or a plan to hire an experienced park manager, helps address the pet side.
Business plan and projections. Build projections around membership growth, bar sales per visit, event revenue, weather and labor for both bartenders and park attendants. Lenders discount fast ramp-ups for new concepts.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review Items 5, 6, 7 and 17. Review Items 3 and 4, Item 19 to see whether the FDD includes financial performance representations, Item 20 for unit counts and Item 21 for the franchisor’s financial statements.
Site, lease and licensing. Lenders review the lease term (ideally longer than the loan), zoning approval for an off-leash dog park, outdoor noise rules, health department rules for animals near food and drink, and whether a liquor license is available. Our article on negotiating a pet care facility lease covers key lease terms.
The Dog Park Build-Out: What Makes It Different
The park area is where a dog bar’s construction differs most from an ordinary bar. Items to budget and finance include:
- Artificial turf with antimicrobial infill and proper drainage
- Perimeter fencing and double-gated entry points
- Shade structures and outdoor lighting
- Water stations and wash-down systems
- Waste disposal and odor control
- Separate areas for small and large dogs where space allows
- Check-in systems that track vaccinations and memberships
Turf and drainage wear over time, so plan for replacement in long-term projections.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
The franchisor has said it expects multi-unit and regional development to follow its first wave of owner-operators. If you sign a development agreement, lenders will look at the schedule and fees, and typically want the first location’s results before financing the next.
Real-World Scenarios
A restaurant operator converting a bar. An experienced bar owner converts an existing sports bar with an adjacent lot into a Pups Pub, using an SBA 7(a) loan for renovation, turf, fencing and working capital.
A first-time owner building new. A buyer with corporate management experience hires an experienced general manager, leases a shell building in an apartment-dense area and uses an SBA 7(a) loan for the full project.
An investor buying the property. An owner buys the land and building with an SBA 504 loan and finances equipment separately.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating outdoor park construction, drainage and turf costs
- Signing a lease before confirming zoning and liquor license availability
- Projecting flat sales instead of modeling weather and seasonality
- Understaffing the park side to save on labor
- Leaving too little working capital for the membership ramp-up
- Ignoring insurance costs for animal-related liability
Read more in pet care business loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Pups Pub Franchise
Step 1: Request the current FDD. Review Items 5, 6, 7, 17, 19 and 20 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 2: Talk to the franchisor and existing operators. Ask about construction timelines, staffing and seasonality.
Step 3: Identify a site. Confirm zoning, liquor licensing and outdoor space before committing.
Step 4: Estimate payments. Use our SBA loan calculator for planning; results are not an offer or approval.
Step 5: Prepare your package. Gather tax returns, a personal financial statement, resume, business plan, construction bids and the lease draft.
Step 6: Apply and coordinate approvals. Align the loan timeline with franchisor site approval, permitting and license approval.
Pups Pub Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does it cost to open a Pups Pub?
Item 7 of the current FDD lists the total investment range. Costs are driven by site size, whether you build new or convert a bar, and the outdoor park construction.
What is the Pups Pub franchise fee?
Item 5 of the current FDD lists the initial fee and any discounts. Ask the franchisor for current terms.
What royalty does Pups Pub charge?
Item 6 lists the royalty, marketing fund and other recurring fees, which lenders deduct when building projections.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Pups Pub?
Yes, if you qualify. Pups Pub is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, so SBA 7(a) and 504 loans can be considered.
Do I need bar experience?
It is not necessarily required, but hospitality experience, or an experienced manager, strengthens a Pups Pub franchise loan request.
Can I finance the turf and bar equipment separately?
Often, yes. Equipment financing can cover bar equipment, turf, fencing and similar assets, preserving cash for opening costs.
Can I convert my existing bar?
Ask the franchisor; it has described conversions of existing sports bars as one way to open, subject to the site having room for the park.
Does Pups Pub offer financing?
Review Item 10 of the current FDD for any franchisor financing.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 of the FDD lists the term, renewal and transfer conditions.
Can a first-time owner get a Pups Pub franchise loan?
Yes, with strong credit, adequate liquidity and a solid management plan. Lenders weigh experience heavily for a hybrid bar concept.
Final Thoughts
A Pups Pub franchise loan finances two businesses under one roof: a bar and a dog park. Owners who secure the right site, confirm licensing early, budget fully for the park build-out and keep a healthy working capital reserve give themselves the best chance at approval.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners finance start-ups, build-outs, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and pet care facility financing solutions.
