THE SHORT ANSWER
Value the actual pet-service mix and supported earnings after continuing groomer, handler and facility costs. Grooming and dog daycare/boarding have separate historical sold samples; neither establishes a current local appraisal or universal premium. Distinguish permitted capacity, available staffed space, bookings and completed animal-days. Equipment condition, deposits and responsible animal handover affect the deal scope and funding rather than guaranteeing value.
Keep grooming and boarding sold evidence separate
BizBuySell reports national completed-sale owner discretionary earnings multiples for 2021–2025. The grooming sample includes storefront/mobile services; the daycare/boarding sample can include ancillary services. Both can include independent and franchise operators.
(BizBuySell: pet grooming sold benchmarks) (BizBuySell: dog daycare and boarding sold benchmarks)| National sold sample, 2021–2025 | Lower quartile | Median | Upper quartile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pet grooming | 1.38× | 1.89× | 2.51× |
| Dog daycare / boarding | 2.02× | 2.52× | 3.74× |
Seek actual completed comparables matching services, scale, geography, premises, team dependence, earnings definition, date and included assets/duties. Do not select the higher row for a mostly grooming business or blend sample medians as if they establish the mixed firm’s price.
Measure fulfilled services and actual capacity
Reconcile grooming appointments, completed boarding animal-days and other actual services with invoices, discounts, refunds and collected receipts. Separate an animal-day from a booking or customer. Define how the records count arrival/departure days and avoid duplication across services.
| Invented completed-stay arithmetic | Assumption/result |
|---|---|
| Animals assumed, each completing the same stay | 8 |
| Assumed counted animal-days per animal | 3 |
| Completed animal-days under that definition | 24 |
Review permitted capacity, available staffed capacity and actual utilization separately with the operator and authorities. Occupancy is not cash flow until collected receipts and full continuing delivery costs are reconciled. No universal noise, zoning or staffing assumption is established here.
Build supported earnings after continuing people and facility costs
Use the coverage worksheet for owner grooming, handling, overnight/holiday coverage, customer service and management. Confirm qualified available staff, compensation, cover and actual continuing roles beyond seller help. Include full applicable premises, supplies, utilities, maintenance, software, insurance and administration costs.
Support adjustments with the earnings bridge. Distinguish working-owner SDE from earnings after permanent replacement. Do not add back an unpaid owner’s effort as a recorded expense, remove all owner pay, double deduct existing payroll or classify routine repairs as universally nonrecurring. Customer loyalty and experienced staff need evidence and actual agreements rather than percentage premiums.
Define assets, approvals and unfinished commitments
Illinois Agriculture’s facility overview includes kennel/daycare licensing and inspection; it is a state example.
(Illinois Department of Agriculture: animal welfare)Review actual jurisdiction, service model, premises/zoning/noise, operator and ownership-change conditions with authorities and counsel. Inventory runs, gates, tubs, dryers and other equipment with title, leases/liens, condition and qualified investment needs. Use the consent register for actual premises, software, supplier and finance rights. Included equipment or client goodwill should not be added again on top of a going-concern comparison.
Allocate bookings, deposits, prepaid visits, refunds and animal/customer custody responsibilities through the delivery guide. Have qualified people plan animals in care and continuing customer duties at closing. Distinguish purchase price, repair investment and funded performance without double counting a repair credit and the same buyer cost. The calculator explores assumptions and does not certify an appraisal.
Owner questions
Can I use one multiple for every pet-service business?
The published historical grooming and daycare/boarding samples are separate; seek matched completed evidence for the actual mix and deal scope.
Is kennel capacity equivalent to earnings?
Separate permitted, available staffed and utilized capacity, then reconcile completed services, collected receipts and full ongoing costs.
Should equipment value be added to a going-concern multiple?
First establish included assets and required investment; do not count included equipment or goodwill twice.
Sources and review scope
Source review completed . The sources below support the identified concepts or rules; they do not validate hypothetical amounts or a valuation of your business.
- BizBuySell: pet grooming sold benchmarks
Actual labeled national completed-sale owner discretionary earnings table, 2021–2025: lower quartile 1.38, median 1.89, upper quartile 2.51. Storefront/mobile grooming with independent and franchise operations. Separate from boarding, asking prices, current local appraisal or managed EBITDA.
- BizBuySell: dog daycare and boarding sold benchmarks
Actual labeled national completed-sale owner discretionary earnings table, 2021–2025: lower quartile 2.02, median 2.52, upper quartile 3.74. Mixed daycare/boarding and ancillary services, independent and franchise operations. Separate from standalone grooming, asking prices, current local appraisal or managed EBITDA.
- Illinois Department of Agriculture: animal welfare
Actual October 10, 2026 read: agency licenses/inspects listed facilities including kennels and daycare. Illinois example only; not every grooming salon, national rules, ownership-change approval or a complete care protocol.
Confirm tax, legal, accounting and lending applications with the relevant professionals. Historical market observations describe the stated period and reported sample.
This is educational material. Industry figures and program rules can change; check the original sources and your advisors before applying them to a transaction. Calculator scenarios are not appraisals, lending decisions, or offers.
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