Global hospitality leaders invest $10M in K9 Resorts

K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel, a luxury boarding and dog day care franchise brand based in Fanwood, on Tuesday said it received a $10 million investment from one of its own multiunit franchisees.

Partners Pacific Resorts — a multiunit, multibrand franchise group that owns 30 K9 Resorts locations and has ties to internationally renowned hospitality group Kerzner International, founders and former owners of the Atlantis — made the investment to help K9 Resorts further its potential to champion the pet hospitality industry.

Executives of K9 Resorts said the investment is a strong testament to the brand’s franchise opportunity, superior franchisee support and best-in-class pet care experience.

“In our 19 years of operation, K9 Resorts has carved its name into the top tier of pet care through our customized care and cutting-edge facilities,” Jason Parker, co-founder and CEO of K9 Resorts Franchising, said. “With this strategic investment from Partners Pacific Resorts, K9 Resorts will continue to maintain and anticipate the exciting growth trajectory of the pet care industry. We are thrilled to deepen our relationship with (owners Vanessa Kerzner, Alan Leibman, Chris Leslie and Phil Nisbet), who are true trailblazers in the luxury hospitality industry, and look forward to working together to take K9 Resorts to the next level.”

K9 Resorts has more than 165 resorts across 28 states currently operating or in various stages of development.

The investment from Partners Pacific Resorts not only expands its presence in the luxury hospitality sector, but both Kerzner and Leibman bring extensive experience from their backgrounds in the luxury hotel industry. Kerzner was a former owner and board member of Atlantis Bahamas and One & Only Hotels, and Leibman previously served as CEO of Kerzner International. Leslie spent 32 years on Wall Street, with the last two decades specifically in sales management, holding a seat on the operating committees of two international banks’ capital markets fixed income divisions.

Having worked with Kerzner International, a prominent international hotel and resort developer renowned for properties such as Atlantis Resorts, Kerzner and Leibman are well-versed in identifying concepts with global appeal and driving them to success. Leibman expressed confidence in the growth potential of the luxury pet hotel industry, particularly with K9 Resorts, citing the company’s deep understanding of the brand and the industry.

“Coming from backgrounds in the luxury hotel industry, we know firsthand how to identify concepts that will appeal to the masses and make the appropriate investments to take those businesses to the next level,” Leibman said. “Our commitment to the luxury pet hotel industry with K9 Resorts has cemented our belief that it has incredible growth potential in the coming years. We know the K9 Resorts brand intimately and believe its proven business model combined with elite services will project the franchise into becoming a household name.”

Partners Pacific Resorts LLC currently consists of 30 K9 Resorts locations, while Leibman and Nisbet separately own 67 Jersey Mike’s Subs and Wingstop franchise locations. Their significant contribution to K9 Holdings reflects Kerzner, Leibman, Leslie and Nisbet’s interest in building more equity within the luxury pet space, specifically through the franchise model of K9 Resorts.

K9 Holdings LLC was represented by Fox Rothschild, Partners Pacific Resorts LLC was represented by Kirkland & Ellis, and co-founders Steven and Jason Parker were represented by Lowenstein Sandler.