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[two_third last=”yes”][title size=”1″]FAQs[/title]
[accordian][toggle title=”Is Out-U-Go! the right opportunity for me?” open=”no”]
If you are passionate about helping people and pets, have a great attitude, and are interested in managing a growing business, then Out-U-Go! may be a great match. We like to work with people who want to take a hands-on approach to all operational aspects of their business and who also want to stay involved with their local community. It’s also important for you to meet our minimum financial requirements to qualify as an Out-U-Go! franchisee. If this describes you, the best place to start is by filling out our Information Form. [/toggle]
[toggle title=”In home pet care seems easy, why can’t I do it myself? ” open=”no”]
In home pet care generally has a low point of entry and is possible to do it yourself. However, it’s a much more difficult business than most people anticipate and those business challenges often restrict growth potential. The average US in home pet care business does $75,000 / year in gross sales. At OUG! our average gross sales for our mature locations is $534,066.50*. We are able to accomplish this through proven marketing programs, proprietary software and systems, as well as our own Dog Walk University systems for screen and training new staff to be expert sitters. [/toggle]
[toggle title=”Who is the team behind Out-U-Go!?” open=”no”]
OUG! is comprised of team of real people who all started on the pet care side of the business. David Lipschultz, our CEO, and his wife Summer Zandrew, our brand manager, have been part of OUG! since the beginning. Cara Haugh, our head coach and director of development, began as the general manager for our corporate owned (Oak Park and Chicago) locations. Chuck Marquardt, our head of operations, began as the manager of the finance and technology of our for our corporate (Oak Park and Chicago) locations. All of our team members are real people with dogs, cats, and human children living in the Chicago area. We are all extremely driven to create an awesome OUG! experience for all of our pet parent clients and to do whatever possible to help our Top Dog franchisee’s be successful. [/toggle]
[toggle title=”What type of training do you provide? ” open=”no”]
All of our new Top Dogs, and up to 1 additional person, attend Out-U-Go! Academy at Out-U-Go! Central in Chicago. Our training is a comprehensive 1 week program that includes a combination of classroom and on-site/ hands-on training. [/toggle]
[toggle title=”What support will I receive? ” open=”no”]
One of the big advantages of the Out-U-Go! program is our robust support system. Out-U-Go! support begins as soon as we sign franchise agreement. We start with a detailed launch guide, weekly coaching calls, and help line support. We help our Top Dogs build the foundation of their business in preparation of grand opening.
Out-U-Go! Academy is our week long classroom training program developed to prepare our Top Dogs to open and operate their locations. After Academy is completed, we offer support in several ways:
Ongoing coaching and constant access to our support team to assist with any business related questions (HR, IT, customer care, finance, etc.)
Top Dog only online Resource Center with support information and Out-U-Go! branded store items.
Business development by the Out-U-Go! central team who works on an ongoing basis to drive brand growth and development to benefit all of our Top Dogs.
High volume purchasing discounts; the Out-U-Go! central team is constantly negotiating to provide the highest quality and lowest cost, vendors and products to our Top Dog franchisees. We do this by leveraging our size and buying power.
[/toggle] [toggle title=”What is the territory size?” open=”no”] We offer large territory sizes. Territories are generally defined by population sizes which range between 200,000 and 250,000 people. [/toggle] [toggle title=”What is the initial Franchise Fee?” open=”no”] The regular franchise fee is $20,000. [/toggle] [toggle title=”What are your royalty and marketing fees?” open=”no”] Our royalty fees are 6% of gross sales and our marketing fees are currently 1%. Marketing fees are contributed to a combined marketing fund which is used to grow and develop all of our locations. Fees are collected monthly. [/toggle] [toggle title=”What is the term of the agreement?” open=”no”] The initial agreement is a ten year term. At that point, there are two additional renewal terms of five years each.[/toggle] [toggle title=”How much does it cost to open an Out-U-Go! location? ” open=”no”] Estimated initial investment to open an Out-U-Go! location is between $40,400 and $49,850. These estimates include the franchise fee, training expenses, office space, office supplies, initial advertising, insurance, licenses and permits, memberships, professional fees, identity and marketing materials, and additional funds. See break down. [/toggle] [toggle title=”How much money can I make?” open=”no”] This will probably be your biggest question, and we can’t blame you. However, because every town and every owner is different, we’ll never be able to tell you how much money YOU can make. As with any business, this depends on several factors, the most important factor is you and the effort you invest into your business. While we can’t tell you how much you will make, we have published historic financial performance data in our FDD. In addition, during our discovery process you will have the opportunity to speak with other Out-U-Go! Top Dog franchisees about their experiences. [/toggle] [toggle title=”Will I have an actual office space?” open=”no”] All of our Top Dogs operate their mature locations out of small office spaces (200-700sq ft), however an office space is not required to start a location. We do require that all new locations have a dedicated and approved workspace. This workspace can initially be set up within the Top Dog’s home if their home is located within the territory. Office spaces are used for organizing staff, technology, operations, as well as a training space for new staff. For Top Dogs, who start with the home based office option generally out grown the space between year 1 and 2. [/toggle] [toggle title=”What assistance do you offer with office space?” open=”no”] While our office spaces are small, and sometimes home based, they are important for establishing an organized business. The support team at OUG! assists with floor planing, furnishing, and decor for your first workspace and future spaces as your business grows.[/toggle] [toggle title=”At what point do I hire my first employees?” open=”no”] You will start hiring pet sitters prior to opening. The primary responsibilities for all OUG! Top Dog franchisees is to meet new pet parents, coordinate schedules, and operate the business. Because of that you will always have a staff of part time employees that will increase in number proportionate to the business. The sitters you hire will be trained and certified, by you, with our Dog Walk University sitter training program.[/toggle] [toggle title=”Will we meet face-to-face before making the decision? ” open=”no”] Absolutely! Becoming an Out-U-Go! Top Dog is a very big decision for both parties. The final step of our Discovery Process is a face-to-face meeting at Out-U-Go! Central in Chicago. During the face-to-face meeting you will have an opportunity to meet the entire Out-U-Go! team. It is a chance to spend time together, ask questions of one another and for both parties to make final evaluations of whether or not to move forward in a partnership.[/toggle] [toggle title=”I am very interested. What is my next step? ” open=”no”] Fill out our Top Dog Information Form and an Out-U-Go! representative will be in contact with you to answer your questions. If the Out-U-Go! opportunity matches your needs and qualifications you will be introduced to our Top Dog Development Coach, Cara Haugh. Cara will lead you through the several stages of the discovery process which eventually lead up to a face to face visit with the Out-U-Go! team at our headquarters in Chicago.[/toggle] [/accordian] [/two_third] [separator top=”40″]
“The pet industry in the United States is booming. Growth in the sector is derived both from increasing pet ownership as well as from increased spending per pet. Pet owner spending has moved far beyond simple food and grooming expenses to include innovative and specialized premium services and products. The bottom line: people increasingly view their pets as part of the family and are willing to spend even during difficult economic times.” – FranchiseHelp.com
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*The financial performance set forth above are for the one year commencing on January 1, 2013 and ending on December 31, 2013 and are for the 2 affiliate owned locations which have been open for more the 60 months. Please refer to our 2014 Franchise Disclosure Document for additional information.