How to Finance a Scoop Brothers Franchise: Pet Waste Route Costs
By Chris Cornella
A Scoop Brothers franchise loan funds a route-based pet waste removal business that cleans yards for dog owners and maintains pet areas for commercial properties. There is no storefront or kitchen to build, so financing focuses on the franchise fee, vehicles and equipment, marketing to build a customer base and enough working capital to carry the business while recurring routes fill in.
This article explains what Scoop Brothers says it costs to start, what its owner requirements are, how lenders look at a young service franchise with recurring revenue and which loan types fit.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Scoop Brothers; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s website and disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to lender review and 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.
Scoop Brothers Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Startup investment: the company’s franchising page says a franchise takes between $160,000 and $200,000 to start.
- Minimum net worth: at least $250,000.
- Minimum liquid capital: $100,000.
- Founded: 2019.
- Services: residential yard scooping, commercial property cleanup, deodorizing and sanitizing, and pet waste station installation and maintenance.
- Ownership style: the company describes a “heads on, not hands on” model with minimal headcount.
- Franchise fee and royalty: not published on the company’s website; see Items 5 and 6 of the FDD.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S8231, with a note about lease documents when real estate secures the loan.
What Is Scoop Brothers?
Scoop Brothers is a pet waste removal company founded in 2019. According to the company, the business began after the founders’ three dogs inspired the idea. Its website lists service areas that include Rock Hill, Fort Mill and Charlotte in the Carolinas, as well as Overland Park and Olathe in Kansas.
Residential customers can book one-time cleanups or recurring weekly or twice-weekly service, and the company also offers fly control bag products. Commercial clients such as apartment communities and property managers can hire Scoop Brothers to clean grounds, common areas, dog parks and high-traffic spaces, and to install and maintain pet waste stations, including bag replacement and trash hauling. Cleaning and deodorizing of patios, decks and sidewalks rounds out the service menu.
The business model. The company pitches a low-investment model that needs few employees and lets owners work “heads on, not hands on,” meaning the owner manages growth, sales and staff rather than scooping every yard personally.
How lenders see it. Lenders tend to like recurring service revenue, low fixed overhead and the lack of a costly lease. On the other hand, the brand is young, its published data is limited and the business has few hard assets beyond vehicles and equipment, so lenders focus on the owner’s credit, liquidity, management experience and local growth plan.
Scoop Brothers Franchise Costs
Scoop Brothers’ franchising page gives an overall startup range but no itemized breakdown. Confirm every cost in Items 5 and 7 of the current FDD before building a loan request.
Initial franchise fee. The fee is not published on the website. Item 5 will state the amount, when it is due and whether it varies with territory size or the number of territories.
Real estate. A route-based service generally does not need a retail location. Item 7 will show whether the franchisor expects a home office, a small office or a place to park and store vehicles and supplies.
Vehicles and equipment. Expect service vehicles or trailers, scooping tools, waste containers, sanitizing and deodorizing equipment, pet waste stations for commercial accounts, uniforms and route software or mobile devices.
Opening costs and working capital. Launch costs typically include training, insurance, licensing, local marketing and digital advertising, plus working capital to cover payroll and vehicle costs before routes are dense enough to cover expenses.
Total investment. The company states that it takes between $160,000 and $200,000 to start a franchise. When you receive the FDD, compare that range with the Item 7 table, which should break the total into categories like these:
- Initial franchise fee
- Vehicles, trailers or vehicle wraps
- Scooping, sanitizing and deodorizing equipment
- Pet waste stations and opening supplies
- Technology, route software and mobile devices
- Insurance, licenses and permits
- Grand opening and initial marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Scoop Brothers does not publish its royalty, marketing fund or technology fees on its website. Item 6 of the FDD will list them, along with any minimum royalty, local advertising requirement, transfer fee and renewal fee.
How lenders factor these in. A lender projects customer growth and revenue per account, subtracts labor, fuel, vehicle costs, disposal, supplies, insurance and franchise fees, then measures what is left for debt service. Because recurring service revenue builds gradually, the lender pays close attention to how many months it takes to reach break-even.
Route density matters. Profitability in route businesses depends on how many stops a technician can complete per day. Projections that show customers clustered in neighborhoods and commercial properties are more convincing than scattered, one-time jobs.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
Scoop Brothers’ franchise inquiry form asks candidates to confirm they meet these financial minimums:
- Net worth: at least $250,000.
- Liquid capital: at least $100,000.
Background that helps. The company’s emphasis on a managerial ownership style means sales, team leadership and operations experience carry weight. Comfort with recruiting hourly technicians, managing routes and selling to property managers is valuable both to the franchisor and to a lender.
The approval process. Prospective owners submit the inquiry form, talk with the franchise team, review the FDD and agree on a territory. Lenders will want to see the signed franchise agreement or evidence of pending approval.
Ways to Own a Scoop Brothers Franchise
A new territory. Most owners will start from zero customers. Lenders underwrite these start-ups on projections, the owner’s liquidity and experience. Our page on pet care business start-up financing explains how new-business loans are structured.
Buying an existing territory. As the system grows, an established territory with a recurring customer list may become available. A resale gives the lender actual revenue and customer retention data to review. Read about financing a pet care business acquisition and our article on buying a franchise resale.
Additional territories. Owners who want to cover a larger metro area may be able to add territories. Items 5 and 12 of the FDD describe fees, territory boundaries and any development schedule.
Financing Options for a Scoop Brothers Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because Scoop Brothers is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can fund the franchise fee, vehicles, equipment, marketing and working capital in one loan, often with a longer repayment term than other options.
SBA 504 loans. The 504 program is built for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets, so it fits only if an owner later buys a building for offices and vehicle storage.
Conventional term loans. Borrowers with strong credit and collateral may consider a conventional business loan, though lenders can be more cautious with a young brand.
Equipment and vehicle financing. Trucks, trailers, sanitizing sprayers and other durable equipment can often be financed separately, with the equipment as collateral, which preserves cash for marketing and payroll. Learn more about pet care business equipment financing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Customer acquisition costs come before recurring revenue, and commercial clients may pay on invoice. A line of credit can bridge those gaps. See our pet care working capital and lines of credit page.
Seller financing on resales. When buying an existing territory, a seller may carry part of the price. Any seller note must be acceptable to the senior lender, is typically subordinate to it and may be limited by SBA rules.
SBA Loans for Scoop Brothers Franchisees
SBA lenders use the SBA Franchise Directory to confirm that a brand’s franchise agreement has been reviewed for SBA eligibility. A listing does not approve any borrower; it clears the franchise relationship so lenders can focus on the individual deal.
The listing. Scoop Brothers appears on the directory under code S8231. Its note says that when the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Lease Rider and Collateral Assignment of Lease may not be executed. In plain English, those lease documents give the franchisor certain rights over a leased location; if the borrower owns the property and pledges it as collateral for the SBA loan, those lease documents should not be signed, so they do not conflict with the lender’s claim on the real estate. For most Scoop Brothers owners, who will not buy property, the note has little practical effect, but your lender will check it.
Program size. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. A single Scoop Brothers territory would typically need far less.
Application tips. Prepare the FDD, franchise agreement, personal financial statement, tax returns, a resume and a business plan with month-by-month customer growth projections. The SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates for planning only.
How Lenders Evaluate a Scoop Brothers Deal
Personal credit and financial history. With limited hard collateral, personal credit carries extra weight, and lenders generally require a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. The franchisor’s $250,000 net worth and $100,000 liquid capital minimums set a floor. Lenders also want reserves left after your equity injection to carry the business through the ramp-up. Our article on how much franchise you can afford walks through the math.
Management experience. Because the model relies on technicians, lenders look for experience hiring, scheduling and supervising field staff, as well as sales experience with property managers and homeowners.
Business plan and projections. Build projections around the number of recurring residential accounts, commercial contracts, pricing, technician productivity, vehicle costs and the time it takes to reach route density. Show seasonality, since outdoor service demand and weather can vary through the year.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal, transfer conditions, territory rights and any minimum performance requirements. Item 19 shows whether the FDD includes financial performance representations, and Item 20 shows how many franchised units exist. Our article on reading an FDD for financing covers the key items.
Historical financials for resales. For an existing territory, expect to provide revenue by account type, customer counts, cancellation rates and tax returns.
Real-World Scenarios
A corporate manager launching a territory. A former operations manager uses an SBA 7(a) loan to cover the franchise fee, marketing and working capital, and finances a service truck separately. The lender’s comfort rests on the owner’s liquidity and a plan to hire technicians early.
A focus on commercial accounts. An owner with property management connections targets apartment communities for recurring grounds cleanup and pet waste stations. The lender values signed service agreements as evidence of early revenue.
A buyer acquiring a recurring customer base. A buyer purchases an established territory with recurring residential accounts. The lender reviews customer retention and revenue history, and the seller carries a small subordinate note.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing or paying before reviewing the FDD’s Items 5, 6 and 7
- Underestimating how long it takes to build recurring customers
- Spreading customers too thinly across the territory to build dense routes
- Overlooking vehicle, fuel and insurance costs in projections
- Leaving too little working capital for marketing during the ramp-up
For more pitfalls, read about the pet care business loan mistakes that slow down approvals.
Next Steps to Finance Your Scoop Brothers Franchise
Step 1: Confirm you meet the minimums. Check your net worth and liquid capital against the franchisor’s requirements.
Step 2: Review the FDD. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 17, 19 and 20 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 3: Talk with current owners. Ask about ramp-up time, hiring, vehicle costs and customer acquisition.
Step 4: Talk with a financing specialist early. Learn how a Scoop Brothers franchise loan would be sized for your territory.
Step 5: Build your plan. Map target neighborhoods and commercial properties, and project customer growth month by month.
Step 6: Apply, close and launch. Submit your documents, finalize vehicle and equipment purchases and keep reserves for the ramp-up.
Scoop Brothers Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Scoop Brothers franchise cost?
The company’s franchising page says it takes between $160,000 and $200,000 to start a franchise. Confirm the full breakdown in Item 7 of the current FDD.
What is the Scoop Brothers franchise fee and royalty?
They are not published on the company’s website. Check Items 5 and 6 of the FDD.
How much net worth and liquid capital do I need?
The company asks candidates to confirm a net worth of at least $250,000 and at least $100,000 in liquid capital.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Scoop Brothers franchise?
Yes, if you qualify. Scoop Brothers is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8231, so SBA lenders can consider a Scoop Brothers franchise loan subject to normal underwriting.
Do I have to do the scooping myself?
The company describes a “heads on, not hands on” model, meaning owners focus on managing and growing the business. Confirm the franchisor’s expectations for owner involvement in the franchise agreement.
Can I finance a truck or equipment separately?
Yes. Vehicles, trailers and durable equipment can often be financed through equipment loans or leases, separately from the main loan.
Can I buy an existing Scoop Brothers territory?
Resales may become available as the system grows, subject to franchisor approval. Lenders can underwrite the territory’s actual revenue and customer history.
Does Scoop Brothers offer financing?
Its website does not describe franchisor financing. Review Item 10 of the current FDD.
What documents will a lender ask for?
A personal financial statement, tax returns, a resume, a business plan with projections, the FDD and franchise agreement and vehicle and equipment quotes.
Final Thoughts
A Scoop Brothers franchise loan finances a lean, route-based service business built on recurring customers. Confirm costs in the FDD, plan for a realistic ramp-up, finance vehicles wisely and keep working capital for marketing, and you will present lenders with a clear, fundable plan.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and pet care business financing solutions.
