Pet care franchising continues to attract private equity attention. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, a pet grooming and retail franchise brand with 330 units across 36 states, has closed a minority investment from Boston-based firm Great Hill Partners, adding a second institutional backer alongside existing investor Garnett Station Partners as the brand targets 40 to 50 additional openings before year-end.
The deal, announced in early July 2026, marks a new stage for the brand and its franchise model. Garnett Station Partners acquired Woof Gang from its founders in 2022, when the network counted roughly 300 locations. In the years since, the franchise has expanded into Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Utah, among other states, growing to its current 330-unit footprint. Financial terms of the Great Hill transaction were not disclosed.
Great Hill Partners Joins the Investor Base
The transaction gives Great Hill Partners a minority stake in the brand, with two firm executives joining Woof Gang’s board of directors. David Roberts, a Managing Director at Great Hill, and Douglas Wigley, a Vice President, take on board seats as part of the arrangement. Great Hill’s investment portfolio spans consumer-facing brands including Bombas and Custom Ink. Garnett Station Partners retains its position as an existing backer alongside the new investor.
A Franchise Network Built on Neighborhood Presence
With 330 locations spread across 36 states, Woof Gang has built a geographic footprint that CEO Ricardo Azevedo frames in terms of community presence rather than national scale. Each location combines grooming services with a pet supply retail offering, positioning the brand as a neighborhood destination rather than a high-volume chain. The model has attracted franchisees across nearly three-quarters of US states, with the recent entries into Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Utah extending that reach further.
The distinction between a national chain and a network of local stores has informed the brand’s franchise recruitment and operational approach. The individual-store character of each location remains a point Azevedo has consistently emphasized as the brand scales.
40 to 50 New Openings Targeted Through Year-End
With the Great Hill investment in place, Woof Gang has stated plans to open between 40 and 50 new locations during the remainder of 2026. That projection, if realized, would bring the network’s total unit count to roughly 370 to 380 locations by year-end. The brand also recently launched a mobile booking app, a technology addition that coincides with the capital infusion and is described by the brand as part of its broader growth effort.
The US pet care sector has seen sustained demand in recent years. The American Pet Products Association has estimated total US pet industry expenditures at more than $150 billion annually, with services including grooming representing a growing share of that total. Several franchise brands in the pet space have drawn private equity interest over the same period, reflecting confidence in the sector’s recurring-revenue characteristics and demographic tailwinds.
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