Geese Chasers employs energetic Border Collies to remove geese from communities who’d rather not have them.
This article is part of “Where Are They Now?”—an ongoing series in which Franchise Times reporters Megan Glenn and Emilee Wentland catch up with emerging brands.
For 25 years, Bob Young’s Geese Chasers has been doing exactly that: chasing geese. The brand may be niche, but it’s on track for growth following a partnership with brokerage firm FranNet.
“The future is bright and I’m excited about the relaunch,” said Young. “I’ve had very successful people that are just enthralled by the business, they love the business model, they love everything about it.”
Founded in 1999, Geese Chasers is one of the more unique franchisors. Employing Border Collies, the brand chases geese away from offices, homes and communities that don’t want to be menaced by hissing birds. All of this is done safely for the dogs and geese.
In 2023, the brand reported unit volumes between $40,666 to $879,333 across a network of 12 territories. The initial investment ranges from $135,830 to $142,330, depending on the territory.
When Franchise Times last spoke to Geese Chasers, the brand was coming out of a growth pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Once the brand restarted selling franchises, it grew from 10 units to 14 before pausing again. Six franchisees signed on to the brand, two ultimately not opening their territories, and Young wanted to focus on their success before bringing in another batch of people.
“I always say it’s a very short, short engagement for a very long, arduous marriage,” said Young.
During this pause, the team met with FranNet, who will help grow the brand in new territories starting September 1. As for the markets, the brand tends to be picky. For one, geese need to be commonplace. For another, the dogs need to be safe.
Franchisees need to acquire and train their own Border Collies.
The brand will never go further south than South Carolina, Young said. As waterfowl, the dogs sometimes need to chase geese into the water. Southern states have alligators and more venomous snakes that incur a significant risk to the dogs, geese and franchisees, so those states are off limits.
“People don’t think of that,” said Young. “You might get eaten while you’re on the side of the lake with your dog swimming in the water after geese.”
Geese Chasers is entering markets including Chicago as well as across the Northeast. Other states in the Midwest, where geese are plentiful, are options for future growth. Young is looking for franchisees who aren’t afraid to get out and market the brand on foot, through cold calling or attending local events.
Franchisees also need to be prepared to train a Border Collie, as one is not provided. Geese Chasers has a network of breeders, but training and raising are left up to franchisees with some help from the brand. Luckily, the breed is made to work and certainly has the intelligence and energy to keep up.
“We always say, if we can get the dogs to drive the cars, we’d be set,” said Young. “We just haven’t, you know, introduced into it yet.”