OUR
SUPPORT
SUPPORT SYSTEM
Growth can’t be achieved without sufficient support.
We don’t think that our animal companions are the only ones who should be spoiled.
TRAINING
Our philosophy is that training never ends. The journey begins with our two-phase training program held at Wag University in Colorado. The first phase occurs over seven days during which we review our company philosophy, real estate and construction, marketing, and product training. The second phase occurs 4-6 weeks before your opening during which time you spend 10 days working in our corporate stores. We support you for 3 days prior and for 7 days after opening. Ongoing training consists of webinars, site visits, nutrition and product training via our robust intranet system, WagConnect.
Operations & Field Support
We guide you through our proven Cradle-to-Success program, with unwavering support through all stages of your business. From your Welcome Call to your opening and beyond, you will be assigned a dedicated “Guide Dog” — one of our Franchise Relations Experts — to maximize your success. Support ranges from securing preferred vendors, training on operational systems, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations and team management. Most importantly, we work closely with you on effective management with on-site visits 3 to 4 times annually.
Marketing
We work directly with you, agency partners and vendors to provide tools and processes so you reach your sales goals and build brand awareness in your community. Marketing will help formulate a plan to drive traffic to your store. Our team designs creative, evaluates the cost effectiveness of advertising and negotiates rates on your behalf. Marketing will also help you identify community events for grassroots outreach. Marketing manages Google, Yelp and oversees the pet franchise brand’s presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Annual Meetings
As the Wag N’ Wash pet franchise rapidly expands from a regional brand to a national powerhouse, we are planning for our first annual meeting where we will work together to further our individual and joint success. We’ll also announce new programs and initiatives which can be discussed in a collaborative and exciting team environment.
Real Estate & Construction
Our Real Estate and Construction team helps you find the right location by pairing you with proven brokers who know the area best. We are with you every step of the way through site selection and lease negotiations. Our construction team assists you in finding a general contractor and managing the construction project to get you open as quickly and affordably as possible. Your contact during this part of development is Rob Flanagan, who facilitates your success through weekly phone calls.
Advertising
Local advertising is secured and paid for by our pet store Franchise Owners, and corporate marketing pays for advertising design, in store POP materials, social media management and the customer VIP program.
Affordable, great customer service and lots of fun to do with your pup! No appointment needed and no wait time… and is a fun way to kill an hour or two on your day off to get out of the house! Especially convenient for big dog owners, having a tub at your level that you don’t have to lean over and a big mess you get to leave behind rather than spend the day cleaning up your bathroom makes all the difference.
DANIELLE K. – UPLAND, CA
SUPPORT TEAM
We don’t like to brag, but our team has decades of experience in retail, marketing, real estate and franchising.
We’re all fully committed to your success.
Jef Strauss
Co – Founder
Jef received his Bachelor of Arts from Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. After moving back to Colorado, he worked for 16 years with his family business, learning the in-and-outs of retail. Eventually the family sold, and Jef began his career in commercial real estate. During this time, Jef helped Dan found Wag N’ Wash, lending his expertise in retail and real estate. Jef oversees the brand vision and provides advice on finding the right locations for our partners.
Dan Remus
Co – Founder
Prior to founding Wag N’ Wash, Dan worked for over 15 years in the retail and service industries. During his career in building exceptional customer service programs, he developed a keen understanding for creating guest experiences worth repeating again and again. Dan’s passion for companion animals and the people who love them is one of the main driving forces in the creation and success of the Wag N’ Wash pet franchise.
ROB FLANAGAN
President
A franchise executive with an M.A. in Psychology, Rob has decades of experience in Franchise Development and Operations. Focusing on creating positive partnerships and streamlining operations, he directly contributed to growing Doc Popcorn from a handful of corporate locations to over 115 domestic and international franchise locations, and Earth’s largest popcorn retailer.
CHRIS STAHL
Director of Operations
Prior to Wag N’ Wash, Chris oversaw operations for a chain of family restaurants, managed purchasing and vendor relations for a $22M a year bookstore, and worked in contracting and installation for Home Depot. His current role is to assist with procurement for new stores. From the cash register to the wash stations, he has an industry connection. He also assists with distributors and vendors, finding the best deals to pass on to customers.
SUE AGER
Director of Marketing
Dedicated to creating marketing campaigns that translate into increased store traffic, Sue assists with development of community partnerships to raise brand awareness and brings over 25 years of media experience to the Wag N’ Wash pet franchise. She has worked for a variety of non-profits and believes by working together, we can make a positive impact.
Abe Dunaway
Director of Training & Franchisee Support
Hired as the flagship store manager in 2007, Abe brings over 10 years of personnel training, program development, staffing and retail management, database management, inventory controls, and public speaking experience. He guides Franchise Owners through training, assists in opening locations and he created our training materials.
Bryan Williams
Dir of Corporate Operations & Franchisee Support
Bryan joined the Wag N’ Wash pet franchise as a wash attendant in 2013 and quickly moved into administration. Now GM of corporate locations, his focus is increasing revenue and profitability by emphasizing unique customer experience. He works with our pet store Franchise Owners to dig into their business and improve unit economics.
Alijia Zukanovic
Construction Manager
Originally from Bosnia, Alija moved to the US in 2004, after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Construction Management. He provides estimates, pricing, bid analysis and responds to bid invitations and proposal requests. Alija is always connected and knows what’s going on at his project sites.
Jenn Day
VP of Finance
With over 20 years Accounting experience and over 13 years focusing on the specialized area of Franchise Finance and Accounting, Jenn has worked with start-up concepts as well as established International brands to help standardize reporting and put streamlined processes into place.
