Sparkle Grooming Co. plans 22 Tennessee locations

Sparkle Grooming Co. is accelerating its push into Tennessee, with the franchise announcing a regional development agreement to open 22 locations statewide over the next five years. The deal is being led by operator Heath Johnson and business partner Mike Darsch, with Nashville set as the initial focus and the first salon expected to open in the first quarter of 2027. The move adds to a broader national expansion effort for the Arizona-based brand, which recently said it has awarded more than 500 licenses across 27 states. (petsplusmag.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the expansion is another sign that grooming chains are scaling quickly and positioning themselves as routine wellness touchpoints for pet parents. Sparkle’s franchise materials describe a membership-based model built around recurring grooming visits, which can create more regular opportunities for skin, coat, ear, nail, and parasite concerns to be noticed between veterinary appointments. At the same time, the growth of organized grooming networks may raise expectations around referral relationships, continuity of care, and how salons escalate medical concerns they spot during routine visits. (franchimp.com)

What to watch: Watch whether Sparkle hits its Q1 2027 opening target in Nashville and how quickly it can translate license growth into operating salons in a grooming market that remains fragmented, but is attracting more franchise investment. (petsplusmag.com)