Sparkles Strengthens Midwest Pawprint with New 20-Unit Development Agreement
Sparkle Grooming Co., the wellness-focused dog grooming franchise, is thrilled to announce a 20-unit development agreement across Indiana and Louisville, KY. The new partners, Jordan Van Royen and Derek Harper, bring unmatched franchise expertise, construction know-how and a shared passion for raising industry standards.
With a combined eight locations under The Joint Chiropractic banner, Van Royen + Harper are no strangers to scaling franchise systems. Now, they’re setting their sights on the $11B pet services market, one grooming table at a time.
“Sparkle is going to take a fragmented profession and transform it into a consistent, quality and professional experience for both dog parents and groomers,” said Van Royen, a seasoned entrepreneur, national construction firm owner and former collegiate athlete.
Van Royen, a former correctional officer, Meritorious Service Medal recipient and 2021 Rookie Franchisee of the Year finalist, brings a track record of building businesses that exceed expectations. Harper, a general contractor and fellow The Joint Chiropractic franchisee, is equally fired up.
“The timing is right, the industry is growing, and Sparkle is doing it the right way. That’s a formula I believe in,” said Harper. “After meeting the Sparkle team and seeing the mission firsthand, I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of.”
What drew them to Sparkle? For Van Royen, it was a frustration all too familiar to pet parents: the lack of reliability in grooming. “There’s a real need for consistency and quality in this industry. Sparkle is changing that,” he said.
Sparkle Co-Founder + COO Joe Aeppli believes the Indiana duo reflects the next generation of purpose-driven operators.
“Jordan and Derek are exactly the kind of partners we look for. They are experienced, values-driven and ready to lead from the front,” said Aeppli. “They understand that Sparkle isn’t just filling a gap in the grooming market, we’re building something transformational.”
Since April 2024, Sparkle has awarded a total of 277 licenses across 15 states including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Utah. For more information on Sparkle’s rapidly growing pet care franchise click here.