Welcome Tony to the Wagbar Family!
Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Tony has spent nearly 15 years as a teacher and coach. A lifelong dog lover who values family, friendship, and community, he knew from the moment he found Wagbar that it was the perfect fit.
Tony's best buddy is his dog, Griffey, and the two are inseparable. Whether they're out exploring local parks or cruising around town, they're always up for an adventure. As die-hard sports fans, you'll often find them cheering on the Bengals and the Reds!
Why Cincinnati Fits the Wagbar Concept
Cincinnati has the right ingredients for a Wagbar location. The city has a strong neighborhood culture, a growing population of younger pet owners, and a steady appetite for community gathering spots that don't fit the standard bar-or-restaurant mold. Add in the region's love of outdoor activity and the dog-friendly reputation of neighborhoods like Hyde Park, Oakley, and Over-the-Rhine, and the fit is clear.
Tony's background as a teacher and coach also gives him a head start. Running a Wagbar location is part hospitality, part community building, and part operations management. The skills he's developed over 15 years of working with people, building team culture, and creating safe environments transfer directly to what Wagbar franchisees do every day.
What Wagbar Actually Is
For anyone new to the concept, Wagbar is an off-leash dog bar. That means it's two things in one space: a safe, monitored off-leash park where dogs can run and play, and a full bar where their people can grab a drink, eat, and hang out with other dog owners.
The model started in Weaverville, North Carolina, just outside Asheville, and has grown into a network of locations across the country. The Asheville flagship has been recognized in USA Today's 10Best Dog Bars list and has built a steady local following over the years.
The reason the concept works comes down to a simple gap in most cities. Dog owners want to spend time with their dogs and with other adults, but most public spaces force them to pick one. Wagbar puts both in the same place. Members can drop in after work, weekend regulars bring their dogs to socialize, and the bar side keeps revenue flowing even when the weather isn't great for outdoor play.
What Makes the Wagbar Model Stand Out
Most pet franchises focus on a single service: grooming, training, daycare, or retail. Wagbar runs on multiple revenue categories from day one, including:
Memberships for regulars who visit weekly or more often
Day passes for visitors and out-of-town guests
Food and beverage sales that benefit from extended dwell time
Events programming like trivia nights, breed meetups, holiday parties, and live music
Branded merchandise with the Wagbar logo
Because the model has several income channels rather than one, it gives owners more flexibility in how they grow the business. The community-building piece is also a long-term advantage. Pet owners are some of the most loyal customers in any service category, and Wagbar's regulars tend to become true brand ambassadors.
The Kind of Person Wagbar Looks For
You don't need a hospitality or pet industry background to run a Wagbar. What does matter:
A real love for dogs. This is non-negotiable. The business runs on the bond between dogs and their people.
People skills. You'll be the face of a community space, hosting members and welcoming new visitors most days.
Operations mindset. A Wagbar runs like a bar plus a managed park, so basic comfort with staffing, scheduling, and safety protocols matters.
Community focus. The strongest Wagbar locations are run by owners who want to know their members by name and build something that lasts.
Tony brings all of these to the Cincinnati location, which is part of why his application stood out.
What Franchisees Get From the Wagbar System
The full breakdown of what's included in a Wagbar franchise is laid out in the Franchise Disclosure Document, but the core support areas cover:
Site selection assistance to find the right property for your market
Buildout guidance, including the proprietary container bar system that streamlines setup
One week of intensive training at the Wagbar headquarters in Asheville
Pre-opening support through the "Opener" app, a digital guide built specifically for new Wagbar owners
Grand opening on-site support from the corporate team
Ongoing operational support, marketing assistance, and quarterly business reviews
A franchisee network of other Wagbar owners across the country who share what works in their markets
The goal isn't just to hand over a brand and walk away. It's to give franchisees a clear path from signing the agreement to running a steady location in their community.
Why the Pet Industry Backs the Concept
Americans spent a record $151.9 billion on their pets in 2024, with 66% of U.S. households owning at least one pet (American Pet Products Association, 2024). The pet services category in particular has outpaced product retail in recent years, and demand for premium experiences keeps growing as younger generations spend more on their dogs than any group before them.
What that means for franchisees: the broader market is moving in the direction Wagbar already serves. People want experiences, not just products, and they want to include their dogs in those experiences. The model is built around that shift, not chasing it.
Could This Be You?
Tony's story started the same way most franchisees' stories do. He loves dogs. He cares about his community. He saw the Wagbar concept and recognized it would work in his city. That's the pattern.
If you've ever dreamed of running a business that brings dogs and community together, check out wagbar.com/franchising to get started. The team is actively talking with prospective owners in multiple markets right now, and the conversation usually begins with a few simple questions about your background and the city you're in.
Welcome to the pack, Tony. Cincinnati is lucky to have you.
Important Disclosure
Wagbar makes no representations about income, sales, or earnings any franchise owner will achieve. Financial performance information appears only in Item 19 of the Wagbar Franchise Disclosure Document, provided to qualified candidates during the formal disclosure process. Any cost figures referenced on this site reflect FTC-required disclosures, including franchise fee, royalty rate, marketing fund rate, and an estimated initial investment range. Those figures are regulatory estimates, not earnings forecasts. Anyone evaluating the opportunity should review Item 19 and speak directly with current Wagbar franchise owners.