Can Hydrodog operate or grant franchises for HydroDog Businesses from a mobile method (vehicle) within a franchisee's territory?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We will not operate or grant franchises for HydroDog Businesses from a fixed location or mobile method (vehicle) within your Territory.
You are required to meet the Territory Development Schedule, which requires you to maintain one (1) HydroDog Vehicle for every 100,000 population (or fraction thereof) in your Territory. You must add each required additional HydroDog Vehicle within six (6) months after commencing operations or within six (6) months of any population increase that triggers the requirement for an additional vehicle. Your failure to achieve either the required customer satisfaction index score results or the required customer retention rate results is grounds either for us to require your mandatory attendance at any remedial training program that we specify or for us to allow other franchisees to operate in your Territory, or for us to terminate the Franchise Agreement. In addition, if you do not open the number of mobile pet grooming vehicles as required by the Territory Development Schedule, we may terminate your Franchise Agreement.
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 30–32)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Hydrodog will not operate or grant franchises for HydroDog Businesses from a fixed location or mobile method (vehicle) within a franchisee's designated territory. This provides a level of territorial protection for Hydrodog franchisees, specifically against direct competition from the franchisor or other franchisees using mobile grooming vehicles within their defined area. However, it is important to note that franchisees do not receive an exclusive territory and may still face competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or other distribution channels that Hydrodog controls.
The franchisee's territory is defined as a specific geographic area using commonly understood state, county, municipal, or postal area definitions, and there is no minimum area granted for a territory. Franchisees are required to maintain one HydroDog Vehicle for every 100,000 population (or fraction thereof) in their territory. They must add each required additional HydroDog Vehicle within six months after commencing operations or within six months of any population increase that triggers the requirement for an additional vehicle.
It's crucial for prospective franchisees to understand the implications of not having an exclusive territory and the potential for competition from various sources. While Hydrodog agrees not to operate or franchise mobile grooming services within a franchisee's territory, they retain the right to sell products and services through other channels, including retail stores and the internet, without restriction. Additionally, Hydrodog can engage in transactions with other businesses, even competitors, which could impact the franchisee's business. Therefore, a clear understanding of the territory definition, development schedule, and potential competitive factors is essential for any potential Hydrodog franchisee.