Our Story
How one hungry dog and a take-out burrito inspired a new approach to pet-friendly hospitality.
A hungry dog named Dugger started it all.
Dugger Dinners was co-founded by Dugger and his best friend, Ken Barlow. The inspiration came during a disagreement over a Qdoba burrito, when Ken told Dugger, “You’re not getting any of this burrito.”
It was not their first disagreement over food, but it led Ken to wonder why restaurants, hotels, and other pet-friendly destinations offered so little specifically for the dogs accompanying their customers.
After selling his government-payments software company in 2020, Ken began investing the time and resources needed to turn the idea into a business.
Built Through Hospitality Conversations
- Experienced entrepreneurs encouraged the company to look beyond restaurants and explore the growing pet-friendly hotel market.
- Branding and packaging experts helped shape products that could work in a professional hospitality setting.
- Pet-product consultants helped develop quality treats and travel amenities.
- A hotel in Louisville demonstrated the value of presenting every pet guest with a welcome kit.
- Hotel GMs helped the team move beyond products and address communication, check-in, and operational needs.
- Hospitality partners contributed ideas such as property-specific pet guides and local Pet Concierge resources.
Today, Dugger Dinners remains focused on getting dogs the useful and enjoyable things they need while traveling. At the same time, the company has become a broader pet-hospitality solutions provider—helping properties streamline operations, strengthen communication, and turn pet-friendly service into an opportunity rather than simply an expense.