Denver-based Hike Doggie, which boasts itself as the only dog hiking franchise, announced plans to expand to Albuquerque. The company is currently seeking potential franchisees in the city.
Hike Doggie’s concept is to ease the guilt of working dog owners by picking up dogs in a Hike Doggie bus and taking the pups to a wilderness area or other natural setting where they are walked by certified dog walkers for two hours. The dogs then get treats and a wash before being dropped back off at home. Each walker will have a maximum of four dogs that will be organized by speed. It costs $120 per day per dog.
Kath Allen founded the company in 2016 and has seen significant growth in recent years, prompting the company to look at franchising opportunities.
“We think dogs are like children, and when people are very busy at home, with work and with life, what our service provides is we go and pick up dogs … and we take them up into the mountains. And it can be any natural setting,” she said.
She said they make dogs comfortable in the customized blue buses that are equipped with “zen dens,” air conditioning and a shower system for after the hike. Dogs will also receive treats and their owners will get photos of their pet having fun. The company also has an active Instagram feed.
“We clean them up nice, … fluff them up, dry before they head home,” Allen said.
“In the summer, they’re splashing in creeks and rivers, and in the winter they are out there in the snow,” Allen said.
Hike Doggie is hoping that the Albuquerque franchise will launch sometime in 2025.
Including a franchise fee of $65,000, the total initial investment necessary to operate a Hike Doggie territory ranges from $138,831 to $251,744.
People interested in launching the business can find out more information about the organization at https://hikedoggie.com/.
She said a goal is to make dog parents feel less guilty about being too busy to take their pooches on adventures.
“They’re busy, they feel very guilty, because if they’re working taking care of their families, doing what have to, they can’t give their dog that fun outdoor adventure life that they crave,” Allen said. “So we pick them up in the morning, we return them later in the afternoon, nice and tired and really pooped out.”
