A typical dog grooming business in Europe that's still open after three years brings in $9.3k a month ($112k a year) and keeps about $22 of every $100. That leaves about $24.6k a year.
The top 10% make more than $22.8k a month. The bottom 10% make under $3.8k.
Thinking of starting a dog grooming business?
- Typical cost to start
- $12.7k
- Still open after 3 years
- 71%
Monthly revenue by year
For businesses still trading at each point.
| Year | Bottom 25% | Typical | Top 25% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $2,200 | $3,900 | $6,900 | $11,600 |
| Year 3 | $5,800 | $9,300 | $14,900 | $22,800 |
| Year 5 | $7,300 | $12,100 | $20,100 | $31,600 |
Year 3 monthly revenue
How much does it cost to start?
Typical cost to start: $12,700.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Tables, baths & dryers | $5,500 |
| Salon fit-out | $5,200 |
| Insurance | $800 |
| Marketing | $1,300 |
Where the money goes
Share of revenue for a typical business in year three.
How many survive?
71% are still trading after three years, and 60% after five. These are the reasons owners gave for closing:
What the successful ones do
- Took deposits to cut no-shows
- Rebooked clients every 6 weeks at checkout
- Added a mobile van for premium pricing
How to start one, step by step
Verified dog grooming businesses on HumDays
The Groom Room
“Rebooking at the till is the best marketing I do.”
Muddy Paws Grooming
“Deposits cut our no-shows from 14% to 3%.”
Tidyhound Grooming Calgary
“The brand gave me the booking system on day one. The regulars came from doing the nervous dogs well.”
Questions people ask
Is a dog grooming business profitable?
Usually, if it survives. A typical dog grooming business in Europe keeps about $22 of every $100 in sales by year three, which on typical sales leaves about $24.6k a year. 29% close within three years.
How much does it cost to start a dog grooming business?
The typical cost to start is $14.2k. The biggest items are tables, baths & dryers and salon fit-out.
How long until a dog grooming business makes a profit?
A typical business had its first profitable month after 3 months. Side-hustle starts took about two months longer.
Why do dog grooming businesses fail?
The most common reason owners give is “owner injury or burnout” (32% of closures), followed by “staff hard to keep” (22%).
Is a dog grooming business seasonal?
Spring and pre-Christmas peaks. Survivors plan cash around the quiet months.
Ask dog grooming owners
Five or six full grooms is a good day for one person. Past that, the quality drops and the dogs get stressed.
We book four big dogs or six small ones per groomer, and keep one slot free for nervous dogs that need longer.