Scottsdale, Ariz. – September 15, 2026 -- Sparkle Grooming Co. has raised $6 million in strategic growth financing led by Companion Fund, the venture capital vehicle managed by Digitalis Ventures in partnership with Mars Petcare, as the dog grooming franchise surpasses 600 licenses awarded to multi-unit partners in just 24 months.
Franchise pipeline expands to 600 licenses in two years
The Scottsdale-based company, which created what it calls the Quick-Service Pet Care (QSPC) category, currently operates 10 salons and plans to have at least 20 open by the end of 2026. More than 30 additional salon openings are planned for 2027, with the company continuing to court select multi-unit franchise partners in priority markets.
Model combines memberships with standardized franchise operations
Sparkle's QSPC approach pairs recurring membership revenue with standardized operating systems, proprietary technology and a hospitality-oriented customer experience. The company positions this as a shift from one-off grooming transactions to a routine wellness service, aiming to create a more repeatable revenue model for franchise owners in a historically fragmented category.
Digitalis cites franchise scalability and early consumer adoption
Ben Jacobs, partner at Digitalis Ventures, said the firm was drawn to Sparkle's differentiated consumer proposition combined with a team experienced in building and scaling franchise systems, pointing to the company's early adoption metrics.
Ben Crawford, co-founder and CEO of Sparkle Grooming Co., said the investment provides validation from a partner with deep pet care and animal health expertise, alongside additional resources to strengthen the business ahead of its next growth phase.