Community-Driven Entrepreneurs to Bring Modern Dog Daycare, Boarding, Bathing and Grooming Concept to Families Across Central Texas

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Skiptown, the modern, tech-enabled dog care franchise, is officially entering Texas with the signing of a new five-unit franchise agreement covering the greater Austin area. The first location is targeted to open in fall 2027, with four additional locations to follow across the region.

Entrepreneurs Rooted in the Community

The new locations will be owned and operated by Marilyn and Matt Willson, long-time Austinites whose combined backgrounds pair deep community relationships with analytical business leadership.

The Austin community has long been at the center of Marilyn’s career. She spent 25 years in nonprofit fundraising, building strong relationships with local and state government officials and engaged community members along the way. She went on to become a licensed Realtor and certified Senior Move Manager, helping seniors and those in transitional periods find their next home.

Devoted pup parents for more than 30 years, the Willsons share their home with two rescue pups, Tucker and Oliver. For Marilyn, Skiptown is a natural way to bring together her two passions: dogs and building community connections.

“People who love their pups are the same people who show up for their neighbors,” said Marilyn Willson. “Pup parents are some of the most caring, community-minded people you’ll meet, and Skiptown gives them a place they can trust, where the team knows every pup by name and treats them like family. I’ve spent my career helping people in Austin find genuine connections with one another, and I can’t think of a better way to keep doing that than with a place full of happy pups and the people who love them.”

Matt’s expertise lies in operations and finance, with a professional background in financial analysis, technology and customer service leadership. Throughout his career, he’s focused on turning complex information into practical decisions, helping teams streamline their operations.

Entrepreneurs at heart, the Willsons were drawn to the idea of owning a small business together. Skiptown stood out as a way to spend more of their days surrounded by pups and the people who love them, and fewer on Zoom. After touring Skiptown’s Atlanta location, they quickly fell in love with the brand, from its convenient, technology-forward experience to the safety, cleanliness, and well-trained staff they saw firsthand.

“Skiptown pairs a thoughtful approach to pet care with a business model built to scale,” said Matt Willson. “The technology makes the experience seamless for pup parents, and the research-based approach to grouping pups by play style and temperament, rather than simply by size, shows real care in the details. It’s a brand we’re proud to bring to our own city, and of course, we can’t wait to meet all the pups in our community.”

Expansion Across Greater Austin

The Willsons plan to bring Skiptown to each of the Austin market’s main corridors, starting in the northern part of the market, where they’re evaluating sites in areas such as North Austin, Cedar Park and Pflugerville for their flagship location. From there, they plan to expand into other fast-growing communities in the market. After the first opening in fall 2027, they aim to open a new location roughly every 18 months.

“Texas has been high on our franchise growth list, and Austin is the ideal place to start,” said Trevor Robinson, Head of Franchise Development at Skiptown. “Marilyn and Matt bring exactly what we look for in multi-unit franchisees: deep roots in their community, a sharp operational mindset, and a genuine love for pups. We’re thrilled to have them lead Skiptown’s entrance into Texas.”

Rooted in the $158+ billion pet care industry, Skiptown brings multiple pet care and lifestyle services together under one roof, creating a destination designed for both pups and their parents. The brand combines dog daycare, boarding, bathing, grooming, and walking with a tech-enabled experience that makes booking, check-in, and communication more seamless for pup parents. By blending trusted care with hospitality, consistency, and convenience, Skiptown offers a modern alternative to traditional dog daycare and boarding facilities.

For more information about Skiptown and its franchise opportunities, visit skiptown.io/franchising.

About Skiptown

Skiptown is a modern, tech-enabled dog care franchise and the ultimate destination for pups and their people, with locations in Charlotte, NC, Denver, CO, and Atlanta, GA, and franchise locations in development across North Carolina, Colorado, and Texas. The brand provides a safe, engaging environment for dogs with daycare, overnight boarding, walking, bathing and grooming, all supported by an expertly trained team and a user-friendly mobile app. With a scalable business model, recurring revenue potential, and the rapidly growing pet care industry, Skiptown is a compelling long-term opportunity for franchise partners seeking to invest in a future-forward brand. To learn more about Skiptown and its franchise opportunities, visit skiptown.io.

Media Contact: Meg Ryan, Franchise Elevator PR, mryan@franchiseelevator.com

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SOURCE Skiptown