What is the required action regarding vehicle upfitting for a Zoomin Groomin franchise?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Each Vehicle must be upfitted to our specifications before you can begin operation of a Zoomin Groomin mobile pet grooming business. Upfitting includes an extensive interior modification to equip the Vehicle with certain pet grooming equipment and a Zoomin Groomin vinyl wrap. You must use a professional vendor approved by us for the upfitting. We have approved several vendors offering various interior upfitting layouts. Your price will vary based on layout, options, and vendor choice. You will also need to arrange transport between dealers, vendors, and yourself. An estimate for the cost of transportation fees are included in the high end of this total.
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 20–27)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Zoomin Groomin's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, each franchisee must upfit their vehicle to meet the franchisor's specifications before beginning operations. This upfitting involves extensive interior modifications to equip the vehicle with pet grooming equipment and applying a Zoomin Groomin vinyl wrap. Franchisees are required to use a professional vendor approved by Zoomin Groomin for this upfitting process. The cost for this can vary depending on the layout, options chosen, and the specific vendor selected. The franchisee is also responsible for arranging transportation between dealers, vendors, and themselves, with transportation costs included in the higher end of the total vehicle cost estimate.
The FDD specifies that franchisees typically purchase a Ram ProMaster 3500 or a Ford Transit Cargo Van. The low-end estimate for vehicle purchase and upfitting is $9,274, while the high-end estimate reaches $130,000. This difference accounts for whether the franchisee chooses to lease or purchase the vehicle, as well as the selection of upfitting packages. The low-end estimate assumes leasing a vehicle with the required features and the most economical upfitting package, while the high-end assumes purchasing a new vehicle at full MSRP with the most expensive upfitting package.
Zoomin Groomin may allow franchisees to purchase a used, low-mileage vehicle in good condition, subject to approval. If leasing, the down payment is estimated to be at least 10% of the total vehicle purchase price, including the van, upfitting, and transport costs, though this can vary based on creditworthiness. The FDD notes that existing franchisees have reported financing upfitting and transport costs into their vehicle lease. Zoomin Groomin does not provide any financing for the vehicle expense, nor do they guarantee the availability of suitable vehicles or financing.