Skiptown Franchisees Sign Pineville Lease
Skiptown franchisees Chris Tkatch and Bo Fender signed a lease for their first Pineville location, expected to open in early 2027.
Skiptown’s first franchisees have signed a lease for their first location in Charlotte’s Pineville area. Chris Tkatch and Bo Fender will own and operate the site at 10301 Feldfarm Lane, the first of two locations planned under their franchise agreement. The location is expected to open in early 2027. The agreement follows 23% year-over-year revenue growth in the second quarter of 2026 and a membership base of more than 8,000 active members across the company’s three corporate locations.
Members Become Franchise Owners
Tkatch and Fender are Charlotte-based business professionals who became franchise owners after using Skiptown as members. Fender has been a member since 2020, while Tkatch’s franchise fee received a 50% discount through the company’s first responder and veteran discount program because his wife works as a first responder in local healthcare.
Chris Tkatch, Skiptown franchise owner, said:
“Dogs are such an important part of our families, and we want every person who trusts us with their pup to feel confident they're in good hands. For us, bringing Skiptown to more of Charlotte is about creating a place where dogs are genuinely cared for and their parents feel just as welcomed.”
Two Locations Planned
The franchise agreement covers two planned locations. Skiptown combines dog daycare, boarding, bathing, grooming, and walking with technology for booking, check-in, and communication with pet parents.
Bo Fender, Skiptown franchise owner, said:
“As a Skiptown member since 2020, I saw firsthand what made the experience different, from how genuinely excited the team was to see your dog to the passion behind the brand. Going from a longtime customer to helping grow Skiptown in the city where it all started is incredibly meaningful. We believed in what the brand was building long before we ever considered becoming franchisees, and now we have the opportunity to be part of its next chapter in Charlotte.”
Pineville Opening Ahead
The Pineville lease marks the next step toward the group’s first opening. The owners plan to continue growing in the region in the years ahead.
Mike Rotondo, CEO of Skiptown, said:
“It's exciting to see our first franchise owners sign their first lease and take this next step toward their opening. It's been a strong year for our brand, and we're looking forward to keeping that momentum going as Chris and Bo bring Skiptown to Pineville.”
