Woofie’s of Greater Jacksonville franchise owners Crystal Witt and Neil Dakake have been named Franchisee Excellence Award winners by Franchise Business Review.
Woofie’s is a national franchise specializing in pet sitting, dog walking and premium mobile pet grooming services. The national recognition honors top-performing franchise owners who exemplify exceptional leadership, business performance and commitment to their communities.
Dakake and Witt, who are married, were selected from hundreds of nominations submitted by franchise brands that participate in Franchise Business Review’s franchisee satisfaction research.
The Franchisee Excellence Awards spotlight franchise owners who consistently set the standard for operational excellence, financial performance and brand leadership across the franchise industry.
“Franchisees are the backbone of every successful franchise system, and the Franchisee Excellence Awards recognize those who truly elevate their brands through leadership, performance and integrity,” said Eric Stites, founder and chief executive officer of Franchise Business Review.
“These award winners are not only high achievers, they are role models. Their commitment to excellence, their teams and their communities (are) what drive long-term success in franchising.”
In 2024, Witt overcame breast cancer, and with a desire to inspire their children to chase meaningful goals, she and Dakake launched Woofie’s of Greater Jacksonville.
Since, they have built a skilled local crew, a strong team culture, and have seen significant franchise growth.
Witt and Dakake also actively mentor fellow Woofie’s franchisees and Witt was selected to serve on the 2026 Woofie’s Franchise Advisory Council.
The couple is also engaged in the community, partnering with local rescues, donating to grooming services, hosting adoption and fundraising events, and supporting military families at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
“Choosing to become a Woofie’s franchisee has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life,” Witt said. “Building this business with my husband and our children, leading a compassionate, highly trained team and serving our local community and military families has been an incredible journey.
“I’m grateful for this recognition and excited for what’s next.”
Amy Addington, co-founder and president of Woofie’s, said the couple exemplify what makes the Woofie’s franchisee family exceptional.
“They have brought premium, personalized pet care to North Carolina with a passion for service and a community-first mindset,” she said.
“We are proud to see them receive this well-deserved recognition, and we value Crystal’s active mentorship of other franchisees through the Woofie’s advisory council.”