Sparkle Grooming Co. has secured $6 million in strategic growth financing as the membership-based dog grooming franchise prepares to expand its national footprint. Companion Fund, managed by Digitalis Ventures in partnership with Mars Petcare, led the investment, which Sparkle says will support franchise partners and strengthen the systems behind its planned growth.
The Scottsdale, Arizona-based company announced the financing on September 9th, reporting more than 600 franchise licenses awarded to multi-unit partners over 24 months. At the time of the announcement, Sparkle had 10 salons open, with plans to finish 2026 with at least 20 operating locations and more than 30 additional openings planned for 2027.
Those figures describe different stages of the company’s development: the awarded licenses represent its franchise development pipeline, while the open salons reflect its operating footprint. The financing arrives as Sparkle prepares to support a larger network of locations.
Financing to Support a Growing Franchise System
Founded in 2022, Sparkle combines routine dog hygiene and grooming with recurring memberships, standardized operating systems and proprietary technology. The company says the new financing will give it greater capacity to support franchisees, accelerate expansion and develop the infrastructure needed for a larger system.
“The significance of this investment goes well beyond the capital,” said Ben Crawford, co-founder and CEO of Sparkle Grooming Co. “Digitalis brings deep experience across pet care and animal health, along with a perspective that is highly relevant to where we believe this industry is going. Their investment is meaningful validation of the model we are building and gives us additional resources to strengthen the business for what comes next.”
Companion Fund was launched by Mars and Digitalis to invest in businesses using science, technology and design to improve the lives of pets, pet owners and veterinarians. Digitalis invests across human and animal health, bringing a sector focus to its backing of the grooming franchise.
“What stood out to us about Sparkle was the combination of a differentiated consumer proposition and a team that understands how to build and scale a franchise system,” said Ben Jacobs, partner at Digitalis Ventures. “They have demonstrated strong early adoption while remaining focused on the capabilities required to build a durable business over the long term.”
The announcement did not disclose a valuation or detailed financing terms.
A Membership Model Built Around Routine Dog Care
Sparkle describes its approach as Quick-Service Pet Care, or QSPC, positioning routine hygiene as a recurring part of dog ownership. Its services address care of a dog’s skin, coat, teeth, ears and nails, with offerings that include bathing, ear cleaning, nail clipping and teeth brushing alongside grooming services.
The membership structure is central to that approach. Sparkle says it aims to make grooming and hygiene a consistent care routine for customers while creating a more repeatable operating model for franchise owners. Its emphasis on standardized systems and hospitality-led service is intended to carry that experience across locations as the network expands.
For franchise readers, the announced opening schedule provides a more immediate picture of Sparkle’s expansion than the license total alone. The company’s plans call for at least doubling its September salon count by year-end, followed by a larger group of openings in 2027.
