Franchisee Spotlight: Bill Ippolito

Bill Ippolito is a New Jersey native with a background in medicine. Having been a physician assistant for the past 10 years, Bill has now transitioned into the corporate world, where he has decided to open a K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Bill is lifelong dog owner and new a dad.  

How did you learn about the brand?

My girlfriend’s (Larisa Citsay- who will be helping me run the business) brother is friends with Jason and Steven Parker, the co-founders of K-9 Resorts.  Their entrepreneurial accomplishments at such a young age really inspired me to invest in opening my own K-9 Resorts.

What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

I am currently a physician assistant, so the business world is somewhat new to me. I knew as a franchisee owner, I would get great help with the process and have instant support on day one and well into the future. 

What makes your business different?

K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel is a very well organized and clean facility. Cleanliness is very important for pet owners. K-9 Resorts doesn’t have a distinct pet odor, is incredibly clean and runs efficiently. It is the perfect option for people who need a safe, comfortable place to leave their pets. K-9 Resorts is also a very young franchise, and I am very confident that it will be successful. I thought it would be best to get in early and help them grow.

I have also been a physician assistant for the past 10 years and decided to do something I was truly passionate about.  The career change is an exciting adventure.

What are your expansion or development plans?

Once we open this location, I would love to be able to open a second location in the near future. I am confident in success of this business.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I love dogs. I grew up with a yellow lab and now I have a 5 year old Rottweiler. I am also a new dad! I have a 9 month old son, who consumes a lot of my time. I also enjoy exercising, sports and cars.  

Middletown Grand Opening

K9 Resorts in Middletown, New Jersey will be holding its Grand Opening this Sunday, June 9. The newest K9 Resorts is located at 889 Route 25.

Please join owners Dan and Lisa Cody from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. to tour the new facility and meet the team. However, if you are unable to attend the Grand Opening, feel free to call the location to schedule a tour for any other day of the week during business hours by calling 732-671-0948.

Click HERE for more information about the Middletown location, including business hours and detailed directions.

Franchisee Spotlight: Andy and Darcie Lubalin

Born and raised in Long Island, New York, Andy Lubalin went to Penn State University earning a degree in economics, with a minor in business administration in 1995. He met his wife Darcie at college and they relocated back to New Jersey. He worked at Hertz Equipment Rental for two years. Andy then worked for 15 years as a consultant at CSC Corporation as a Software Developer, and ended up as a Business Manager assigned to a major brokerage firm. His job duties required a lot of travel, to the point where he would be gone weeks at a time and missed the first moments of his kids’ lives. 

Having known K-9 Resorts’ founders Steven and Jason Parker when they were neighborhood dog sitters back in the day, Andy’s passion led him to K-9 and is the first franchisee in the network. As the #1 rated pet care service in all of New Jersey, Andy couldn’t be happier. Andy and Darcie live about a mile from the original K-9 store and became owners because of their high admiration of the franchise and its genuine line of work.

How did you learn about the brand?

Andy: It’s been three years in the making. I knew I wanted to work with dogs when I was going through my career transition and came back to K-9 when I made the decision to make a change.  I signed in the summer of 2011 and it took a full year to find the best location when we found it in the summer of 2012.

Jason Parker: Andy is our first franchisee, so this is very much our first rodeo working out the kinks to find the right location. We went through a bit of a challenge at first, but found a really good location advisor. Working with Larry Barto has been great. We have 13 locations including this one. This will be the first franchise location, with the original corporate location opening in 2005.

Why did you choose an opportunity with K-9 Resorts?

I’ve known the Parkers since they were in high school. We moved into the area, and they were our dog walkers, so I had the history with them. Their level of customer service was through the roof, especially for kids that age. They understood the value of relationships so I always had a positive opinion of them.

Five years went by and I knew they had since opened K-9 Resorts but had yet to take a tour. After doing the tour, I went in to meet with them and knew it was the right fit for me. It was immaculate. I didn't smell anything, didn't hear anything. Plus, I feel we saw eye-to-eye on life and the big picture, so the corporate culture was the icing on the cake.

Describe the location and demographics of the area.

The location is in a high income, densely populated area with a high pet index. The national average is a score of 100, but in this area, it’s nearly 300. In addition, the location on Bloomfield Avenue happens to be next to the only 24-hour animal emergency hospital in the area.

Are you involved with any charities or do any community outreach with your business?

We just served as the largest sponsor for the Dress for Success's Ad Journal, an organization that helps women in difficult situations get back on their feet.

Jason: We reserve a certain portion of money per year for philanthropy and support in the community; that is something the brand as a whole believes in.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

There’s a certain stigma that boarding rooms are loud, smelly and dirty. On some level, this is true, so part of our job is to educate people on great places such as K-9 that do have state-of-the-art materials and are really clean.

How many employees will you have when you start out?

We will have four up-front and four in the back.

What are your expansion or development plans? What is your end goal with K-9 Resorts?

It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that we will expand. We have a location, but I can’t think about that until at least after this summer because I have to show this is going to be a money maker.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I have two kids so enjoy coaching my kids’ and being with my family. I enjoy playing sports myself.

Grand Opening in Fairfield, NJ

K9 Resorts recently celebrated our grand opening in Fairfield, NJ! We would like to congratulate new owners Andy and Darcie Lubalin, as well as thank the hundreds of new customers who came out to celebrate with us. Though there was rain, the sun was certainly shining upon the many smiling faces!

Here are some photos of the amazing day:

Franchise Owners Andy & Darcie Lubalin celebrate the Grand Opening of K9 Resorts of Fairfield, NJ

Hundreds of new customers come out to see the new K9 Resorts facility!

Bouncy House for family fun!

Face paintin

Front view of K9 Resorts of Fairfield! 

Co-Founder Jason Parker giving tours to eager guests

All front desk staff taking reservations and creating new client accounts

Cutting the ribbon!

Creating new client accounts

K9 Resorts Featured on FIOS1 News

K-9 Resorts was featured on FIOS1 News  in a segment titled, "K-9 Resorts Offer Luxury Lifestyle to Four-Legged Clients".

In the segment, Long Island K-9 Resorts owner Earl Blasi spoke about why he decided to open a K-9 Resorts and how he is looking at this business as a passion. Founder Jason Parker discussed why Long Island is a good market for the brand. 

Click HERE to view the segment on FIOS1's website or use the link below:


K-9 Resorts Offer Luxury Lifestyle to Four-Legged Clients

Trooper Takes the Prize, Fairfield Almost Finished

K9 Resorts has announced a winner in their most recent Facebook competition, "They're Just Like Us".

The winner is Trooper, a rescue dog who resides with his owner Saleena G. in Springfield, NJ. Trooper took the lead early in the competition and never looked back. Who could resist voting for a dog in a purple velvet jacket with zebra print lining? We believe it was the matching hat that pushed Trooper to the prize of a $150 Visa gift card. That's sure to buy a lot of milk bones for this cultured canine.

Trooper isn't the only new thing in New Jersey. K9 Resorts also posted photos from their new Fairfield location scheduled to open soon. Check out those sparkling hallways, and a sign that's sure to sparkle once the rain passes:

They're Just Like Us Moves to Voting

K-9 Resort's Facebook fan contest "They're Just Like Us" have moved to voting. The top thirteen entries are now competing for the top prize of a $150 Visa gift card.

The contest is aimed at a pet's ability to act just like a human. Fans have submitted photos featuring their pets doing everything from sitting behind the wheel to watching March Madness from the recliner. The early leader in the contest is Trooper, a rescue dog, submitted by his owner Saleena G. of Springfield, NJ. Trooper is sporting a festive outfit of purple velvet and zebra print.

Fans can vote every 24 hours for their favorite pet. Click HERE to vote and be part of the contest!

Getting Ready for Opening

Featured from L to R are new owners Darcie and Andy Lubalin, Mayor James Gasparini of Fairfield, and founders Jason Parker and Steven Parker

We've broken ground in Fairfield, NJ!

"After a long journey, Darcie and I are thrilled to be opening our location in Fairfield this May! We can't believe we are almost ready. Please spread the word to everyone in the area. We'll see you next month!" - Andy Lubalin

From L to R: Lisa Cody from K-9 Resorts of Middletown, Robin Bennett, Andy Lubalin from K-9 Resorts of Fairfield and Susan Lubalin From K-9 Resorts of Fairfield.

Nationally renowned doggie daycare expert, author and highly sought-after speaker, Robin Bennett, CPDT at K-9 Resorts of Fanwood trained franchisees as their franchise locations in Middletown and Fairfield, NJ prepare to open next month.

Franchise With K-9 Resorts!

Have you ever thought about owning a business? Think of how great it would be to be your own boss. When you buy into a franchise, you're buying into a proven business model without having to worry about all the stress that comes with a start-up. At K-9 Resorts, we have the tools you need to get started.

Today, one out of every three dollars spent by Americans for a good or service is spent in a franchise business.  A franchise increases your chances of business success because you are associating with proven products and methods. Purchasing a K-9 Resorts franchise allows you to be in business for yourself but not by yourself.  You will benefit from our 14+ years of success and proven track record in the pet care industry.  K-9 Resorts is the only pet care facility in New Jersey that is rated #1 by multiple major publications; that means we’re the best!  Don’t you want to learn from the best?

Brand Awareness

K-9 Resorts is the only facility in New Jersey that is rated #1 by multiple major publications.

The System

Our proven system works and will allow you to follow a proven track record and avoid the mistakes associated with starting a business on your own.  K-9 Resorts can offer you a level of support unmatched by others.

Economies of Scale

If you’re a single entrepreneur, you have the buying power of one.  If you’re a franchisee, your franchisor can negotiate bulk rates and pass along the savings to you.

Financing

Most new businesses require start-up capital, regardless of whether you franchise or not.  While most franchisors do not supply financing, we have relationships with lenders who will view that brand’s referrals more favorably than an independent business owner just starting out.

Marketing

We know what works and what doesn’t work.  With the help of K-9 Resorts Marketing Team, more of your advertising dollar is spent on advertising that has been proven to be successful.

Speed to Market

You can build the most beautiful dog boarding facility and fill it with the most expensive equipment.  That takes time as well as money.  Or, you can sign up with a franchisor who has done this before and be handed a shopping list of exactly what you need to set up shop, allowing you to open for business more quickly than if you had to research it all on your own.

Training

We offer extensive training in every aspect of running your business.  We cover everything from caring for pets to training new employees, from running a doggy daycare to purchasing supplies for your business. Our training program is designed with both classroom learning and practical training in a K-9 Resort to provide you with all the information and tools needed to run your business.

Support

We are here to support you as you begin your dream of owning your own business.  Our support begins the moment you sign your franchise agreement.  We work with you to help you select and secure the best site, obtain your financing and build out the location.  We will continue to support you as you open and grow your business.  Consistent communication and visits to your resort will be made by our team to provide business coaching, plan marketing, assist with employee development and create new strategies to build your sales.

K-9 Resorts Featured on NBC12 News!

K-9 Resorts was recently featured on NBC12 News in an article titled, "K-9 Resorts Daycare and Luxury Hotel On Path for Groundbreaking 2013".

The article speaks about the busy year K-9 Resorts had with 8 new openings in 2012 and they're planned growth for the coming year. Founders Steven and Jason Parker report that there are 3 planned openings in New Jersey alone, with 6 total openings by year end. The article also speaks of the huge wave of interested franchisees K-9 Resorts has received due to recent appearances on CNN Money and Fox News.

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel On Path for Groundbreaking 2013

After a whirlwind year in 2012, K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel (K-9 Resorts) signed eight franchises on the east coast. The one-of-a-kind daycare and overnight boarding facility for dogs expects to have two of its first franchise locations open by May 2013.

“We’ve already broken ground (on our franchise location) in Middletown, New Jersey and in Fairfield, New Jersey,” said Steven Parker, Co-founder of K-9 Resorts. Steven, along with co-founder and brother Jason, presented Mayor Gerard P. Scharfenberger of Middletown with a $500 donation during the groundbreaking ceremony for the shores’ first K-9 Resort. The donation will be used towards the Hurricane Sandy relief fund, for the aid in repairing the millions of dollars in damage the area sustained in October during Hurricane Sandy.

K-9 Resorts featured on mycentraljersey.com

K9 Resorts was featured on mycentraljersey.com in an article titled "Brothers from Scotch Plains are dogs' best friends". The four-page article details the background and the success of young entrepreneurs, Steven and Jason Parker, and their growth of their K9 Resorts location in Fanwood and overall brand. Steven and Jason explain the K9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel business concept and how they plan to expand many new locations throughout New Jersey and take over the luxury pet care business. Click here to read the full article.

Brothers from Scotch Plains are dogs' best friends
By Paul C. Grzella

Brothers Jason (left) and Steve Parker, founders of the K9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel, are about to open six franchise sites in 2013. / Kathy Johnson/Staff Photographer

Growing up, Steve and Jason Parker always wanted to have a dog.

Their parents were resistant to the idea, so in 1999, the boys, then 14 and 12, respectively, decided to start a dog-walking business based from their Scotch Plains home.

“We wanted to show our parents that we had enough responsibility to have our own dog,” Steve Parker said.

Within a short time, the brothers were responsible for 25 regular accounts, so they went back to their parents and asked about that dog again.

“I never doubted that you weren’t responsible enough to have dogs,” replied their father, Alan Parker. “We just don’t like dogs.”

“We realized then we weren’t getting a dog, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t keep our business,” Steve Parker said.

After 13 years of walking and planning, the brothers’ passions for man’s best friend and hard work are culminating early next year with the opening of a series of pet luxury resort franchises based on the K9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel the brothers have operated in Fanwood since 2005.

“We are very fortunate,” Jason Parker said. “This has been a great combination of our love and passion for dogs that we have been able to couple with our entrepreneurial spirit.”

Getting started

Click here to continue reading.

K-9 Resorts featured in Middletown Patch

K-9 Resorts was recently featured in the Middletown Patch in an article titled, "Doggie Daycare and Resort to Open in Middletown." The article discusses Dan and Lisa Cody's love for animals as well as some features of the facility. Click here for the full article, or begin reading below.

Doggie Daycare and Resort to Open in Middletown
K-9 Resorts Daycare and Luxury Hotel will open at 889 Route 35 in Middletown offering a luxury resort stay for dogs.

A new resort will soon be opening on Route 35 but this one is for the dogs.

K-9 Resorts Daycare and Luxury Hotel will open its doors later this year offering cage-free spaces and a clean environment equipped with flooring systems with Microban built in and an air purification system that includes a specially designed ventilation system to kill airborne bacteria.

The K-9 Resorts franchise will open in Middletown at 889 Route 35 between the 7-11 and the old R&S Strauss, right across from Borough Hall under the ownership of Dan Cody.

(Read More)

K-9 Resorts featured on CNBC.com

K-9 Resorts was featured on CNBC.com in an article titled “10 Unusual Franchise Opportunities,” which ran on Thursday, June 21, 2012. The slideshow features how K-9 was started and the various amenities. Click here for the article or read it below.

10 Unusual Franchise Opportunities

K-9 Resorts
Number of franchises: 3
Fee: $35,000
Year started franchising: 2011
Visit the website

Jason Parker, owner of K-9 Resorts, began his business with his brother Stephen as a dog-walking business back in 1999. By 2005, the siblings had opened their first luxury hotel for dogs in New Jersey. The cage-free environment includes private rooms for dogs with plasma TVs (tuned to Animal Planet), high-end dog food and a window in every room.

“People want the best for their dogs,” said Parker. “They want to go away knowing their pet is safe, healthy and happy. So we offer the Ritz Carlton of dog hotels."

Franchisee Profile: Bill Ippolito

Bill Ippolito is a New Jersey native with a background in medicine. Having been a physicians assistant for the past 10 years, Bill has now transitioned into the corporate world, where he has decided to open a K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Bill is lifelong dog owner and new a dad.

How did you learn about the brand?
My girlfriend’s (Larisa Citsay- who will be helping me run the business) brother is friends with Jason and Steven Parker, the co-founders of K-9 Resorts. Their entrepreneurial accomplishments at such a young age really inspired me to invest in opening my own K-9 Resorts.

What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?
I am currently a physicians assistant so the business world is somewhat new to me. I knew as a franchisee owner, I would get great help with the process and have instant support on day one and well into the future.

What makes your business different?
K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel is a very well organized and clean facility. Cleanliness is very important for pet owners. K-9 Resorts doesn’t have a distinct pet odor, is incredibly clean and runs efficiently. It is the perfect option for people who need a safe, comfortable place to leave their pets. K-9 Resorts is also a very young franchise, and I am very confident that it will be successful. I thought it would be best to get in early and help them grow.

I have also been a physicians assistant for the past 10 years and decided to do something I was truly passionate about. The career change is an exciting adventure.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?
Well, acquiring the funds was a little bit of a challenge, and I actually had to liquidate some of my retirement assets to help with the money for the down payment on a loan. It would have taken too long if I didn’t use this money to aid in the process. Finding a location took some time and research. I looked at the competitors, the population and the distribution of wealth in the community. Monmouth County seemed like the perfect fit.

What are your expansion or development plans?
Once we open this location, I would love to be able to open a second location in the near future. I am confident in success of this business.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?
I love dogs. I grew up with a yellow lab and now I have a 5 year old Rottweiler. I am also a new dad! I have a 9 month old son, who consumes a lot of my time. I also enjoy exercising, sports and cars.

K-9 Resorts featured on TheStreet.com

K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel was recently featured on TheStreet.com in an article titled "An NFL Panther Runs the Pet Care Field." In a story on the rise in doggy daycares and pet care facilities, K-9 Resorts was included because they are a company in this industry growing and finding success. The piece also gives a brief overview of the business and inception story, and includes a quote from Steven Parker about how they expect to be the best and number one in quality within the industry. Click here to read the full article or read K-9 Resorts' section below.

And NFL Panther Runs the Pet Care Field

By Laurie Kulikowski

K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel is also looking to expand its doggy day care business. The company was founded in 2005 by two brothers, Steven and Jason Parker, who had experience in the dog-walking and pet-sitting business in New Jersey but decided to combine those operations and expand in the quickly growing business of luxury dog day care. Last year they started to franchise their operations.

(Read more)

Franchisee Profile: Dan and Lisa Cody

Projected Opening: Summer 2012

Location: TBA, New Jersey

Q: Where do you live?

A: Dan: My wife, Lisa, and I have both lived in Lodi, NJ in Bergen County our whole lives.

Q: What was your career before franchising?

A: Dan: I own a bonding and insurance company.

     Lisa: I am an elementary school teacher.

Q: Why did you decide to open your own business?

A: Dan: We have been thinking about owning another business for a while and we were looking for about a year before we came across K-9. We saw an ad in NJ Monthly and started to look more into the brand.

Q: What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

A: Dan: We saw a presentation when we went to a franchise seminar for K-9 and were really impressed with the business and the model that was already in place.

Q: With regard to your previous experience, what skills do you feel helped you in your business?

A: Dan: We both bring different aspects to the business because I have first-hand experience running a business and Lisa has a lot of experience with animals. She loves pets and is very involved in the animal community and volunteers at the Bergen County Animal Shelter.

Q: Why did you choose to enter this industry?

A: Dan: We are both big animal-lovers and enjoy working with them. We have fostered and adopted several pets over the years. We currently have two Wheaten Terriers.

Q: What makes your business different?

A: Dan: What stood out the most to us about K-9 is that the animals and their owners are all treated with so much respect and the facility itself is so inviting.

Q: How does your business connect with the community?

A: Lisa: We will definitely be very involved with animal shelters and organizations because that is extremely important to us.

K-9 Resorts featured in Huffington Post

K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel was featured in an article on Huffington Post (formerly AOL Small Business) titled, “Dog Businesses Find Success Even During Tough Times: Made in the USA.” The article features Steven and Jason Parker, who not only inspired the entire article but shared their entrepreneur story and the successes they have found in the dog care industry. Click here to read the article, or begin reading below.


Dog Businesses Find Success Even During Tough Times: Made In The USA

by Geoff Williams

Like many kids, when Jason and Steven Parker were teenagers, they wanted a dog. And like many parents, theirs said no. So they came up with the next best thing to spend some time with man's best friend -- they started their own pet-sitting business.

The brothers, now 24 and 27, kept it going through college and eventually sold it for six figures. After they graduated, they went on to start K9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel.

(Continue reading...)

K-9 Resorts featured on TheStreet.com

K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel was featured on TheStreet.com in an article titled, “When Customers Become Franchisees,” that ran online on Monday, October 31, 2011. This article was based on an interview with franchisee Andy Lubalin and co-founder, chairman, and CEO Steven Parker. Steven spoke about the development of the concept and how the franchise intends to grow throughout the Northeast. In addition, Andy Lubalin offered great praise about how the customer service and cleanliness of the K-9 operation, along with the solid business model, were the main reasons that he and his wife decided to invest into this concept. Click here to read the article, or begin reading below.

When Customers Become Franchisees
By Laurie Kulikowski

K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel was founded by two brothers in the dog-walking and pet-sitting business in New Jersey who decided to combine the operations -- then to expand a quickly successful business through the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut area.

"We always knew wanted several stores," co-owner Steven Parker says.

They decided franchising was the best way to do that and officially became a franchised operation this year.

(Continue reading...)