What is the 'Vehicle' referring to in the Zoomin Groomin FDD?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Note 3: Vehicle. Your Franchised Business will be operated out of a Vehicle. You must purchase or lease at least one Vehicle that meets our specifications and is suitable for operation of a Zoomin Groomin mobile pet grooming business. The low end assumes you will lease the vehicle, and the high end assumes you will purchase the vehicle. Typically, our franchisees purchase a Ram ProMaster 3500 with a high roof and extended wheelbase or a Ford Transit Cargo Van with a high roof and extended wheelbase.
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.
If you lease the Vehicle, we estimate the down payment will be at least 10% of the total Vehicle purchase price (van, upfitting, and transport) but will vary based on your credit worthiness. We have included the costs of upfitting and transport in the vehicle lease estimate because existing franchisees of ours have reported that they have financed these costs into their vehicle lease.
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 20–27)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Zoomin Groomin's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the 'Vehicle' refers to the mobile pet grooming vehicle that franchisees must purchase or lease to operate their business. Zoomin Groomin requires franchisees to have a vehicle that meets specific requirements and is suitable for a mobile pet grooming business. The FDD mentions that franchisees typically purchase a Ram ProMaster 3500 with a high roof and extended wheelbase or a Ford Transit Cargo Van with a high roof and extended wheelbase.
The vehicle must undergo an 'upfitting' process, which involves extensive interior modifications to equip it with pet grooming equipment and a Zoomin Groomin vinyl wrap. This upfitting must be done by a professional vendor approved by Zoomin Groomin. The cost of the vehicle and upfitting can vary significantly, with the low end based on leasing a vehicle with the required features and the most economical upfitting package, while the high end is based on purchasing a new vehicle with the highest-priced upfitting package. The estimated initial investment for the vehicle purchase and upfit ranges from $9,274 to $130,000.
Zoomin Groomin may allow franchisees to purchase a used, low-mileage vehicle in good condition, subject to approval. Franchisees are responsible for ensuring the vehicle complies with their state's OSHA requirements. The vehicle must also display Zoomin Groomin's trademarks according to the guidelines provided by the company. The FDD does not provide any guarantees regarding the availability of a suitable vehicle or financing for the vehicle expense.