Press Releases

DoodyCalls: A Franchise Opportunity Worth Scooping Up

Full-service Pet Waste Removal Business Picks up in 2009

Charlottesville, VA—August 11, 2009—When nature calls, this franchise answers. DoodyCalls, the nation’s largest full-service pet waste removal franchise, is expanding in 2009 and offering its business opportunity to entrepreneurs nationwide. The concept, developed by young husband-and-wife team Jacob and Susan D’Aniello in 2000, provides a solution to a long-standing pet problem: picking up what pets “drop off.”

Named one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 500 Franchises” and a Franchise Times “Fast 55 Business” in 2009, DoodyCalls is projecting 40 percent system-wide growth this year and is on track to add 15 new franchises in 2009, and twice as many in 2010.

“America’s love for pets is undeniable,” says Jacob D'Aniello. “There are more than 77 million dogs in the U.S., and nearly 46 percent of households own at least one dog. DoodyCalls offers entrepreneurs a unique franchise opportunity in a widely untapped market with a steadily growing client base for years to come.”

Equipped with rakes, shovels, and bags, DoodyCalls’ professional scoopers let pet owners wash their hands of the whole clean-up business. For homeowners, DoodyCalls offers weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and one-time cleanings to scoop the poop for about $14 per visit for an average-sized yard. Rates are based on the number of dogs, size of area to clean, frequency of service, and amount of pet waste.

Employees of DoodyCalls are fully insured and are dressed in professional uniform. Scooping tools are disinfected between each client to eliminate the possibility of spreading diseases found in dog waste. Best of all, DoodyCalls offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

“Accumulated pet waste decreases the overall appearance of your home,” adds Jacob. “Many people don’t realize that worms and viruses such as roundworm, ringworm, and the deadly parvovirus are transmitted through dog poop. Pet waste can also attract rats. The cumulative effect of these problems can decrease property values.”

DoodyCalls can also clean, disinfect, and deodorize decks, patios, dog runs, and kennels, provide brown spot treatment to eliminate damaged areas of a homeowner’s lawn caused by pet waste, and can even exchange dirty litter boxes from cat owners’ homes on a weekly basis.

In addition to residential services, DoodyCalls offers a wide array of neighborhood pet waste removal options. Homeowners associations, apartment complexes, parks, and municipalities don’t usually own pets—but often they do own the problem of pet waste. DoodyCalls cleans and disinfects common areas such as playgrounds, pool areas, paths, or any place dogs “do their thing” to help keep communities sanitary and safe.

DoodyCalls also provides pet waste stations, offering communities a cost-effective solution to managing pet waste on their property, works with property managers to develop pet waste management plans, and can even assist with the planning of a new dog park.

“Between balancing family, demanding work schedules, and increasingly long commutes, people are too busy to deal with the mess themselves or simply don’t want to,” Jacob says. “DoodyCalls’ service eliminates one of the most unpleasant and time-consuming aspects of dog ownership. Our service is also beneficial for elderly and disabled people who are unable to clean up after their pets, helping elder pet owners keep their beloved companions.”

Franchise Opportunities: The Dog Days Are Already Here

DoodyCalls offers an affordable franchise opportunity ideal for pet enthusiasts that have high energy and an entrepreneurial spirit. The cost to open a DoodyCalls franchise ranges from approximately $42,000 to $65,000, which includes an initial $29,500 franchise fee. The low initial investment allows franchise owners to invest additional capital in building a client base and growing their business. Franchisees may develop a single territory or multiple territories over a period of time.

“There’s no real mold that our franchise owners fit into,” says Paul Martell, Director of Franchise Recruitment, “But we see quite a few husband-and-wife teams, as well as individuals who have been through the boom-and-bust cycles of Corporate America and want to start successful businesses while maintaining a flexible lifestyle. Best of all, franchisees can easily work out of their home.”

As an additional benefit to joining DoodyCalls, franchises receive an entire week of hands-on training at the company’s headquarters in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia and continuous support from DoodyCalls corporate and fellow franchise owners.

All franchise owners also have the advantage of:

• a national 1.800-DoodyCalls sales center that schedules appointments and communicates with clients on behalf of the franchisee.
• a large and growing collection of professionally designed marketing materials.
• access to a state-of-the-art scheduling and route management system.
• an in-house team of public relations experts to help franchises connect with the local media and build their businesses.

About DoodyCalls

DoodyCalls was founded by husband and wife Jacob and Susan D’Aniello in 2000 and began franchising in 2004. The company provides year-round professional pet waste removal service to residential yards, apartment communities, homeowner associations, and more.

For more information about franchising opportunities, contact Paul Martell, Director of Franchise Recruitment, at 603-746-2056.

For more information on the DoodyCalls story, contact Marc Samson in the PR department at 434-422-9181.

For a complete press kit that includes images and a company fact sheet, visit http://www.DoodyCalls.com.