Buy a Pet Grooming Business in Long Beach, CA

The Long Beach Pet Grooming Market

Long Beach has 458,491 residents and a median household income just under $84,000. That combination matters for a service like pet grooming.

Pet ownership rates in Southern California are among the highest in the country. In a dense, urban-adjacent market like Long Beach, grooming is not optional for most dog owners. It is a recurring appointment, roughly every 4 to 8 weeks, that customers keep even when other discretionary spending drops.

That spending pattern is what makes grooming businesses attractive as acquisitions. Revenue is sticky. Clients book standing appointments. A well-run shop with 200 active clients and three groomers has a predictable forward revenue picture.

The current listing pool nationally sits at 42 active opportunities in this category as of Q1 2026, with prices ranging from $55,000 to $2,465,000. The wide range reflects the difference between a single-groomer sole proprietorship and a multi-location operation with real infrastructure.

How Much Does a Pet Grooming Business Cost in Long Beach?

Most grooming businesses at this price point are single-location, owner-operated shops. The seller is often the head groomer and has been running the business for 5 to 15 years.

That is worth knowing before you model the deal. If the seller is also the primary producer, you need a plan: hire a replacement groomer, buy down client concentration risk, or negotiate an extended transition period. This is the most common source of post-close revenue erosion in grooming acquisitions.

Below is an illustrative deal model based on the median asking price and national market data as of Q1 2026. These are rough estimates; actual terms depend on individual qualification and lender.

At a 2.3x multiple, this deal has headroom. A 4x DSCR is strong and gives you a buffer if revenue softens during the ownership transition.

The equity injection is structured as 5% buyer cash ($13,625) plus a 5% seller note on full standby. Full standby means no payments on that note during the SBA loan term, which Regalis Capital achieves on over 90% of its transactions.

Can You Get SBA Financing to Buy a Grooming Business in Long Beach?

Yes. Pet grooming businesses qualify for SBA 7(a) financing with no structural issues. The business type is clean: no professional licensing required by the owner, real cash flow, and an asset-light model that works well inside the SBA's existing collateral framework.

At a $272,500 purchase price, the total SBA loan would be around $218,000 on a 10-year term. Based on current rates of approximately 10% to 11% (WSJ Prime plus 1.5% to 2.75%), annual debt service on a $218,000 loan is roughly $29,000. At $117,804 in cash flow, you are sitting at a 4x DSCR before any synergies or operational adjustments.

One detail that matters at this price point: the SBA requires 10% equity injection, not a 10% down payment. The difference is in how it is structured. The 10% breaks into 5% buyer cash out of pocket and 5% via a seller note on full standby acting as equity. You are not writing a check for the full 10%.

What Should You Look For When Buying a Pet Grooming Business?

Beyond those three, here is what the diligence process should cover:

Booking system records. The only clean proof of revenue in a grooming business is appointment data, not just bank deposits. Ask for two years of booking system exports. Appointy, MoeGo, and similar platforms generate exportable logs. Cross-reference against bank statements.

Stylist tenure and compensation. Groomers are the product. If three of four stylists have been there less than a year, that is a retention problem that predates you. Find out why.

Lease structure. A grooming shop is location-dependent. If the lease expires in 18 months with no renewal option, the landlord has leverage over your exit. Get a 5-year lease with two 5-year options before you close.

Client concentration. A shop with 400 active clients has less single-client risk than one with 80. Look at the distribution of revenue across accounts, not just the total.

Equipment condition. Grooming tables, dryers, tubs, and HVAC (for odor and humidity control) all have finite lifespans. A capital expenditure budget for year one should be part of your deal model.

In Long Beach specifically, proximity to Belmont Shore, Bixby Knolls, and Alamitos Heights matters. These are higher-income, dog-dense neighborhoods. A shop with clientele concentrated in these ZIP codes has better demographic staying power than one serving a more transient customer base.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to buy a pet grooming business in Long Beach?

As of Q1 2026, the median asking price for a pet grooming business is $272,500 with a range from $55,000 to over $2,000,000. Single-location shops in Long Beach typically fall in the $150,000 to $400,000 range depending on revenue, lease terms, and stylist count.

What cash flow can I expect from a grooming business acquisition?

The national median cash flow for pet grooming businesses is $117,804 as of Q1 2026. That figure is typically reported as SDE, which can include the owner's salary and discretionary add-backs. Buyers should apply a 15% to 30% discount to SDE to approximate true free cash flow after paying a replacement manager or head groomer.

How long does it take to close on a pet grooming business?

Most SBA-financed acquisitions close in 60 to 90 days from a signed letter of intent. Deals at this price range ($200,000 to $400,000) tend to move faster than larger transactions because the underwriting is simpler. Having your financial documents prepared before making an offer accelerates the process.

Do I need a grooming license to own a pet grooming business in California?

California does not currently require a state grooming license to own a grooming business, though individual groomers may pursue voluntary certifications. As an owner-operator or absentee owner, you are not required to be a licensed groomer yourself. Local business licenses and a seller's permit for retail pet product sales are required.

What is a reasonable SBA loan structure for a $272,500 grooming acquisition?

At $272,500, a standard SBA 7(a) structure would be approximately 80% SBA loan ($218,000), 15% seller note on full standby ($40,875), and 5% buyer cash ($13,625) acting as equity alongside the standby seller note. At current rates of approximately 10% to 11% and a 10-year term, annual debt service is roughly $29,000, producing a DSCR above 4x on median cash flow.

Considering a Pet Grooming Acquisition in Long Beach?

Regalis Capital's deal team reviews 120 to 150 acquisition opportunities per week across Southern California and nationally. If you are looking at grooming businesses in Long Beach or the broader LA market, we can help you identify vetted opportunities, run the deal math, and structure financing to protect your downside.

Start with a free deal assessment: Talk to Regalis Capital about buying a grooming business in Long Beach