Bobby's Burgers by Bobby Flay

The ITK9 Franchise, LLC system, operating prominently under The Dog Wizard brand, represents a significant force within the rapidly expanding pet care and dog training industry, offering a comprehensive and structured approach for entrepreneurs passionate about canine welfare and business ownership. The genesis of this influential enterprise dates back to 2005 with the founding of The Dog Wizard by Gretchen Hollifield, who was also its initial CEO. A pivotal moment in the brand's trajectory occurred in September 2019 when The Dog Wizard orchestrated a strategic merger with The Upbeat K9™, an alliance that was widely reported to have created the third-largest franchised dog training entity across the United States. This consolidation brought together complementary strengths and operational efficiencies, solidifying its market presence and setting the stage for accelerated growth. The corporate headquarters for The Dog Wizard is strategically situated at 5690 Wolff Road, Medina, OH 44256, a location that serves as the central hub for its extensive network of franchise operations. The leadership structure supporting ITK9 Company, LLC and ITK9 Finance, LLC, both based in Medina, Ohio, includes key figures such as Grant Reeves, who assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer for both entities in September 2019, further extending his financial stewardship to The Dog Wizard as its CFO starting in January 2020. Another instrumental figure in the brand’s development and expansion is Jason Watson, a seasoned entrepreneur who founded Dublin Dog Co. in 2006 and Recon K9 in 2018. Watson holds the critical position of Director of Franchise Sales at The Dog Wizard, and his strategic acumen was particularly vital in orchestrating the successful merger with Upbeat K9. The operational framework of the Bobbys Burgers By Bobby Flay franchise, while distinct in its culinary focus, shares with the ITK9 system an underlying emphasis on robust brand management and strategic leadership, essential elements for scaling a franchise network effectively. This leadership team’s combined experience in finance, sales, and brand development underpins the strategic direction and operational integrity of the ITK9 Franchise, ensuring a consistent and high-quality offering across its growing number of locations and providing a strong foundation for future franchisees entering the system.

The broader industry landscape into which the ITK9 Franchise, operating as The Dog Wizard, is deeply embedded presents a robust and continuously expanding market, driven by profound shifts in consumer behavior and an elevated status of pets within households. The global dog training franchise market, a segment that directly encompasses The Dog Wizard’s offerings, is poised for substantial growth, with projections estimating its market size at $20.1 billion in 2025. This impressive valuation is further supported by a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.57% anticipated from 2025 through 2033, indicating a sustained upward trend in demand for professional dog training services. Beyond this specialized niche, the overarching pet care market demonstrates even more significant financial scale, having been valued at approximately $131 billion in 2016 and projected to surpass $200 billion by 2025. This underscores a massive consumer base willing to invest significantly in their animal companions, with Americans alone spending an estimated $136 billion annually on their pets. This robust market environment provides a fertile ground for the continued expansion and profitability of the Bobbys Burgers By Bobby Flay franchise model, which, like ITK9, benefits from strong consumer spending trends. Key trends propelling growth in the dog training franchise sector specifically include a sustained escalation in pet adoption rates, particularly observed during and after periods of increased home occupancy, alongside a general increase in discretionary spending allocated towards pets as they become more integrated into family units. Furthermore, a heightened societal understanding of the myriad benefits associated with well-trained companion animals—ranging from improved behavior and safety to enhanced human-animal bonding—fuels the demand for professional intervention. The market is also experiencing a rising demand for specialized training disciplines, catering to specific behavioral issues or advanced skills, and a widespread adoption of flexible online and remote training solutions, which expanded significantly in 2020 due to global circumstances. A prevailing shift towards positive reinforcement methodologies, emphasizing humane and effective training techniques, further shapes consumer preferences. The strengthening human-animal bond, coupled with increased awareness of responsible pet ownership practices and continuous innovation in training techniques and technology, collectively contributes to this expansive market growth, creating an opportune environment for a structured franchise system like ITK9.

Investing in a franchise, such as the ITK9 Franchise operating as The Dog Wizard, involves a clear understanding of the financial commitment, including initial fees, operational costs, and ongoing contributions. While specific financial data for ITK9 Franchise, LLC (The Dog Wizard), encompassing detailed investment costs, initial franchise fees, and royalty rates, were being extracted from their 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) as of March 2026 and were not yet publicly available in comprehensive detail, the brand has demonstrated a commitment to community by offering a 10% discount on its initial franchise fee for First Responders. This initiative reflects a recognition of service and provides a tangible incentive for qualified individuals. General industry benchmarks for dog training franchises in 2025 offer valuable context for prospective investors. For instance, in-home training franchises typically necessitate a total initial investment ranging from $50,000 to $100,000. This estimate generally covers an initial franchise fee of $25,000 to $50,000, along with expenses for essential equipment and supplies estimated at $5,000 to $10,000. Initial marketing efforts are typically budgeted between $5,000 and $15,000, while working capital requirements range from $10,000 to $20,000. Professional fees for legal and accounting services usually fall between $2,000 and $5,000, and insurance costs are typically $2,000 to $5,000. Additionally, potential vehicle costs, if applicable to the operational model, can add $5,000 to $15,000 to the total. In contrast, facility-based dog training franchises generally demand a substantially higher initial investment, often ranging from $150,000 to $500,000. This category of investment typically includes a franchise fee of $40,000 to $75,000, with significant allocations for real estate (deposits, leasehold improvements) ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. Equipment and facility setup costs are substantial, from $30,000 to $100,000, while signage and branding can cost $10,000 to $25,000. Initial inventory is usually between $10,000 and $30,000, and initial marketing expenses are estimated at $10,000 to $30,000. Working capital for facility-based operations typically ranges from $20,000 to $50,000, with professional fees from $5,000 to $15,000 and insurance from $5,000 to $15,000. Specialized training franchises, such as those focusing on service dog training, may require an additional $15,000 to $40,000 for specialized equipment, depending on their operational model. Most franchisors in the dog training sector universally recommend that franchisees maintain a reserve of 3-6 months of operating expenses as working capital to ensure financial stability. The ongoing royalty fees for most dog training franchises typically fall within a range of 6% to 10% of gross revenue, compensating the franchisor for continued brand use and support. Furthermore, marketing fees, which contribute to national advertising and promotional efforts, generally range from 1% to 3% of sales. While the Bobbys Burgers By Bobby Flay franchise operates in a different sector, its investment profile would similarly encompass initial fees, build-out costs, equipment, and ongoing royalties, reflecting the standard structure of a well-established franchise system. For Top Tier K9, another K9-related franchise, while specific fee and investment costs are not publicly detailed, it is noted that tuition for its training programs can be applied towards the franchise fee, presenting a unique financial structure for prospective franchisees.

The operational model and support structure offered by The Dog Wizard, under the umbrella of ITK9 Franchise, are designed to empower franchisees with comprehensive tools and ongoing assistance, ensuring a consistent and high-quality service delivery. The brand distinguishes itself through its proprietary "train-the-trainer" and "train-the-customer" programs, which are foundational to its educational approach. These programs ensure that franchisees are not only expert dog trainers but also effective communicators and educators for their clients. Franchisees embarking on this venture undergo an extensive training regimen that combines robust online modules with immersive, hands-on practical experience, preparing them thoroughly for all facets of business operation and dog training methodologies. A significant investment in franchisee development was realized with the launch of a state-of-the-art 30,000 sq/ft Dog Training Academy in Dayton, Ohio, in August 2021. This facility serves as a premier training ground, with enrollment open to the public for certification in a comprehensive dog training curriculum, further solidifying the brand's commitment to excellence and professional standards. A cornerstone of The Dog Wizard’s commitment to its community is the assurance that all graduates of its programs receive a lifetime commitment of support from their respective franchisees, fostering long-term relationships and continuous improvement. The company consistently expands its offerings by providing new certifications for specialized training disciplines, including scent tracking, trick training, and confidence courses, allowing franchisees to diversify their services and cater to evolving market demands. Beyond training, franchisees receive substantial support in the intricate process of establishing their businesses, benefiting significantly from the leverage of an established brand name and a proven operational system, which streamlines market entry and operational efficiency. In comparison, Top Tier K9’s business model includes an intensive eight-week live online pet training course, followed by two weeks of onsite certification that includes an advanced business boot camp at their Madison, Florida Campus. This is complemented by a 14-week live online Foundation Dog training program. Top Tier K9 also offers a tiered franchising approach, beginning with a pet-training program and allowing franchisees, upon certification as a Master dog trainer, to expand into training and selling protection dogs, service dogs, and specialized security dogs. Similarly, K9 Resorts, a luxury pet hotel brand, offers highly refined business operations, expert assistance in site selection, meticulously developed hiring and training protocols, and advanced marketing and technology platforms. They aim to provide a simple-to-learn and easy-to-run business model, strategically focusing on high-margin revenue streams to maximize profitability for their owners. K9 Resorts franchisees benefit from a unique business model and a growth-oriented culture, with clear pathways for multi-unit expansion. While distinct in their offerings, the robust support and training infrastructure of the Bobbys Burgers By Bobby Flay franchise would similarly be crucial for ensuring franchisee success and consistent brand delivery across its locations.

When considering a franchise investment, understanding financial performance is paramount, yet for ITK9 Franchise, LLC (The Dog Wizard), specific financial performance representations (Item 19) are not disclosed in its Franchise Disclosure Document. This means that detailed information regarding average revenue per unit, median revenue, or profit margins for individual Dog Wizard locations is not publicly available through the FDD. Prospective franchisees are therefore strongly advised to directly request performance data from the franchisor during the due diligence process or, importantly, to engage with existing franchisees to gather firsthand insights into financial performance and operational realities. This direct engagement is a critical step in assessing the potential profitability of any franchise, including the Bobbys Burgers By Bobby Flay franchise. In contrast to The Dog Wizard’s non-disclosure, K9 Resorts, a luxury pet hotel brand, provides more transparent financial insights, having reported impressive average gross sales of $2,106,357 and average EBITDA of $556,902 for its franchised locations in 2024. These figures offer a benchmark for what can be achieved in a related, high-end pet services sector. Generally, the financial landscape of dog training franchises can be understood through typical expense structures. For in-home dog training franchises, operational expenses typically include 8-12% of revenue allocated to royalties and ongoing fees, 5-10% for marketing and advertising efforts, 3-5% for training supplies, 2-4% for insurance, 3-5% for vehicle-related costs, 1-3% for professional services (such as legal and accounting), and 2-4% for miscellaneous operational expenses. Under this model, in-home dog training franchises can often achieve healthy profit margins of 60-70% before owner compensation and taxes, reflecting a lean operational structure with lower overhead compared to facility-based models. Facility-based franchises, however, face a substantially higher overhead structure. Their typical expense ratios include 8-12% for royalties and fees, a significant 10-15% for rent and occupancy costs, 20-30% for labor expenses, 5-10% for marketing and advertising, 5-10% for supplies and inventory, 2-4% for insurance, 3-5% for utilities and maintenance, 1-3% for professional services, and 2-4% for miscellaneous expenses. These figures highlight the differing cost structures and potential profit scenarios between various operational models within the dog training sector, providing a framework for evaluating potential returns on investment, a crucial consideration for anyone looking into a franchise opportunity, whether it be for dog training or the Bobbys Burgers By Bobby Flay franchise.

The ITK9 Franchise, through its Dog Wizard brand, has demonstrated a dynamic growth trajectory and established several competitive advantages within the burgeoning dog training industry. Following its significant merger in September 2019, The Dog Wizard system immediately boasted 29 franchise locations, with ambitious plans articulated for the addition of five more units within the subsequent months and a clear aim for international expansion by the following year, 2020. This rapid post-merger integration and expansion strategy quickly bore fruit, as by October 2021, The Dog Wizard had successfully grown to just under 50 franchised locations across the nation. Furthermore, it achieved its international expansion goal, establishing a presence in Canada in 2020, demonstrating its capacity for cross-border market penetration. The brand’s footprint in the United States is diverse, with established locations in various states including Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Minnesota. A specific expansion into Sarasota, Florida, was highlighted in August 2021, showcasing continuous strategic market entry. For comparative context, other K9-related franchises also exhibit notable growth. Top Tier K9, founded in 2014, had expanded to 10 locations across Florida, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Virginia, and Missouri by December 2023. This brand further accelerated its expansion efforts after launching its franchising program in August 2022, growing to seven US states and setting an aggressive target for 2024 to add 12 Texas franchises and 12 additional franchises elsewhere in the country. K9 Resorts, a luxury pet hotel franchise, exemplifies remarkable growth, debuting on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list at an impressive No. 1924, reflecting substantial revenue and unit growth. As of 2024, K9 Resorts boasted over 170 locations either opened or in various stages of development. In 2025 alone, K9 Resorts sold 27 new franchise licenses and inaugurated five new resorts, with plans for 25-30 additional openings projected over the subsequent 18 months. A significant multi-unit agreement secured in November 2025 will bring eight new K9 Resorts locations to Cook and Kane County, Illinois, underscoring the brand’s robust expansion strategy. The competitive advantages of the ITK9 Franchise system, including its established brand recognition, comprehensive training programs, and strategic leadership, position it well for continued success in this growing market. The Bobbys Burgers By Bobby Flay franchise, while operating in a different industry, would similarly rely on strong growth metrics and clear competitive differentiation to attract potential investors and achieve market dominance.

The ideal franchisee for the ITK9 Franchise, operating as The Dog Wizard, is typically an individual deeply passionate about dogs and committed to transforming that passion into a successful business venture, supported by a robust franchise system. The brand’s provision of comprehensive training, coupled with the inherent benefits of operating under an established brand name and system, suggests that it appeals to entrepreneurs who value structured support and a proven operational blueprint. The explicit offering of a 10% discount on the initial franchise fee for First Responders is a clear indicator of the brand’s appreciation for service-oriented individuals, implying that franchisees with a disciplined background, strong work ethic, and a desire to serve their community would find a natural fit within The Dog Wizard network. The consistent growth into diverse U.S. states such as Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Minnesota, alongside its expansion into Canada, demonstrates a flexible and market-responsive territory model. This suggests that the franchise is adaptable to various demographic and economic landscapes, making it an attractive opportunity in a wide range of locations. The significant investment in a 30,000 sq/ft Dog Training Academy, launched in Dayton, Ohio, in August