Maverick's Dog Saloon

Maverick's Dog Saloon is an indoor/outdoor dog park with a bar! 

The regional northeast is known for its overcast and rainy days. Western Pennsylvania gets roughly 70 full days of sun every year, and only 120+ days of partly sunny. Factor in our cold winters, and dog owners are all too familiar with the first chance to get their beloved dog outdoors when the weather breaks. And if it isn't raining, waiting doesn't help! 

Welcome to Maverick's Dog Saloon! An indoor/outdoor dog park that has a bar! Since the pandemic, dog ownership has increased exponentially, and now more than ever more dog owners need a place to take their four-legged fur-baby to run and play. We are experiencing seeing a few indoor dog parks open up, and a few "normal" bar/restaurants allow pets (on certain days and in certain areas), but we have not yet seen an establishment that has both: an indoor/outdoor dog park and a bar specifically geared towards the dog owner! 

Maverick's will leverage a membership driven business model which allows the dog owner access to the indoor/outdoor dog park during regular business hours. (This is common with all indoor dog parks alone. Access is determined by supplying our dog vaccination requirements and your monthly or annual membership fee) But while your here, allowing Fido to stretch his legs and play with his friends, you can enjoy your favorite cocktail or beer, and even enjoy a bite to eat (finger food menu)! Maverick's Dog Saloon will host numerous weekly and monthly events for "Members Only", including themed nights, guest visitors, seminars, and fun activities for the dogs and owners. We will also hold numerous "New Member Events" to increase memberships. A few of these ideas are "Ice Cream Social Night" where both dog and owner get ice cream (dog-friendly ice cream of course), "Meet the Vet" night, various dog training classes, and a "Photo Booth Night" where owners can get a photo with their dog. Additionally, I will promote various "Local Brewery Nights" and specific dog breed nights (Labrador Night for example). Additionally, we will not exclude the general public - non-members can visit Maverick's for a daily rate fee which also requires providing the required dog vaccination information. 

My ideal setup with my already identified established structure (a former car dealership with 18,000 square feet) will have one garage door open up to the outside dog park where a bar is established for walk-up service to the outdoor dog park patrons. Inside I'll have the bar connecting and spanning across the facility (25-35 feet) with bar stools. Additionally, numerous sit down tables and high tops will be available. A half wall will be constructed to keep dogs from entering the "dining area" (even though dogs would be allowed because I will not have servers) and the indoor dog park. Numerous dog obstacles and items will be strategically placed in both the outdoor and indoor dog parks which will be situated on indoor/outdoor turf. A handful of both indoor and outdoor TV's will be erected as well as safely constructed outlets for phone chargers or laptop plugs at most tables for the occasional business minded dog owner. Outdoor seating will be both picnic table style AND various patio style seating and tables. Multiple pet waste baskets and bag dispensers will be ideally located throughout both the indoor and outdoor dog park. 

(My original idea included dog grooming services as well, but am open to consider your investment ideas as it relates to factoring that into the plan for launch. It can definitely be a revenue generator and a draw for membership, especially to those dog owners who require monthly or bi-monthly grooming) 

I have a Pro Forma completed that shows profitability within the first 2 years. Additionally, my personality is not small-minded...I see this as an opportunity to prove the concept and feverishly work towards franchising opportunities.  Regardless of where you are located in the United States of America, the weather will determine if your dog will get to play, and run, and be a dog with other dogs OUTSIDE.  Whether it's too cold in the Northeast, or too hot in the South, an indoor/outdoor dog park with a bar solves multiple problems! 

A little bit about me:
I am 42 years old, married and have three kids. For the past 15+ years I have been in healthcare/medical device sales, with the past 5 years being in leadership positions. I have my bachelor's degree as well as a master's degree in Organizational Leadership. I very well understand the restaurant/bar business through my earlier-in-life various experiences working in both environments. I have a strong business acumen and understand the operational needs and effectiveness strategies to be not only profitable, but desirable place to work. I understand budgets and P&L's as I've leveraged them in my current professional experiences. I have a very close friend who I have contracted as my consultant who grew up in the bar business and currently owns/operates his own bar, to oversee and provide guidance on renovations, operations, marketing, and strategy. 

I came up with this idea during the pandemic but was "too comfortable" in my work life/position to want to venture out on my own. I was recently let go due to a substantial quality issue with my product which led to the release of the entire worldwide sales force of the startup company I was with. I know now is the time to make this idea a reality! The average Pennsylvanian spends close to $4,000 a year on their dog, and 68% of residents in Pennsylvania are dog owners. As I mentioned before, because of the pandemic, dog ownership blew up, and spiked tremendously during 2020-2021. (Makes sense - needed companionship, more people working from home, etc.) I have identified just a very small handful of both "indoor dog parks" and/or outdoor dog parks with a bar across the United States. I have NOT yet identified one indoor/outdoor dog park with a bar in Pennsylvania, Ohio, or West Virginia (tri-state area). 

I'm very excited to share my concept, business plan, and pro forma with my future investment partner! 

PS. Maverick is the name of my fox-red Labrador - FYI!