SUPPORT
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 brand’s presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Annual Meetings
As Wag N’ Wash 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 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
TOP DOG – 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
TOP DOG – 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 Wag N’ Wash.
ROB FLANAGAN
Pack Leader – Director of Franchising
A seasoned franchise executive with a Master’s degree in Psychology, Rob has decades of experience in Franchise Development and Operations including sales, construction and site selection, purchasing and distribution, marketing and training. With an unrelenting focus 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, making it the largest popcorn retailer on Earth. His focus is achieving pragmatic growth and increasing profitability for Franchise Owners. In his spare time, he ponders, “Who really was The Boss? Tony or Angela?” Rob posits that it was probably Mona.
CHRIS STAHL
Notorious D.O.G. – Operations Manager
Prior to joining 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. Chris is one of Wag N’ Wash’s first hires and has over twelve years of overseeing operations and managing locations. Chris has forgotten more about Wag N’ Wash than most people know. His current role is to assist with procurement for new stores. From the cash register to the wash stations, he has an industry connection. H also assists with distributors and vendors, finding the best deals to pass on to customers.
SUE AGER
Yappy Dog – Marketing Manager
Sue is dedicated to creating marketing campaigns that will translate into increased store traffic. She assists with the development of community partnerships to raise brand awareness in every community served. Sue brings more than 25 years of media experience to the Wag N’ Wash team. Sue is active in the community and has worked with a variety of non-profits. She believes that by working together, we can positively impact companion animals and their families in every store and community.
Abe Dunaway
Guide Dog – Training Manager
Abe has been with Wag N’ Wash since 2007, hired as the flagship store manager. He brings a background that includes over 10 years of personnel training, program development, staffing and retail management, database management, inventory controls, and public speaking. He knows how to operate a successful store and to support team members. Abe guides new Franchise Owners through our training program and assists in opening locations.”
Bryan Williams
Guide Dog – Franchise Relations Manager
Bryan has been a manager for many businesses, including bars, nightclubs, restaurants and the printing industry. He joined Wag N’ Wash as a wash attendant in 2013 because of his passion for animals. With his vast experience, Bryan quickly moved into administration and is now the general manager of the corporate locations. His primary focus is increasing revenue and profitability by emphasizing customer experience unique to Wag N’ Wash. He works directly with our Franchise Owners to help them dig into their business, and works to improve unit economics.
Nathan Semesch
Guide Dog – Director of Design & Construction
Nathan combines his extensive construction and project management experience to facilitate the buildout of each of our franchise locations. He brings a strong focus on organizational and vendor accountability to ensure that all aspects of a store opening go as smoothly as possible.
Ready to take
the first step?
Fill out this form to get started now.
Ready to take
the first step?
Fill out this form to get started now.