Great Hill Partners Backs Woof Gang's Pet Push

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming brought on Boston-based Great Hill Partners as a minority investor, adding a second private equity backer alongside Garnett Station Partners. The pet grooming and retail franchise finalized the deal in mid-June and now runs 330 units across 36 states, with 40 to 50 more openings planned this year.

Two Sponsors, One Growth Plan

Garnett Station acquired Woof Gang from its founders in 2022 and has roughly doubled the store count since. Great Hill joins without displacing that partner, a structure that signals confidence rather than an exit. Great Hill managing director David Roberts and vice president Douglas Wigley take board seats. Woof Gang is the firm's only franchise holding.

Where the Money Goes

CEO Ricardo Azevedo said the capital targets franchisee support, digital strategy, and expansion, not a change in direction. The brand launched a booking app last fall and keeps investing in technology that shifts appointments online. Recurring grooming visits and pet retail give the model the repeat-revenue profile that draws institutional capital.

The Pet Category's Pull

Private equity keeps targeting pet care because spending holds steady through downturns and grooming produces predictable, recurring visits. Woof Gang's path toward 400 units depends on whether added infrastructure speeds franchisee openings without diluting service quality. For operators, a second sponsor usually means more support dollars, provided the two firms stay aligned on pace.