Nation’s best dog bar planning new tricks in KC after fetching top award, summer funding round

The dog days of summer are bringing momentum to Bar K, said David Hensley.

The Kansas City-based escape space for pets and their owners was recently named top dog in the country by USA Today, just closed a funding round, and added several key team members — including Tim Schoenfelder as CEO — the co-founder confirmed.

“There’s definitely a sense of groundswell that’s happening now,” explained Hensley, who co-founded Bar K with Leib Dodell in 2016. “There’s renewed energy with new team members coming in and certainly the funding helps us be able to do certain things that we’ve been wanting to tackle for a while that’s going to help us with growth.”

Being named the nation’s best dog bar, he noted, is an exciting recognition that will help to bring attention — not only to the KC location — but to its expansion sites in St. Louis and Oklahoma City.

“It’s validation that a lot of things that we’ve done were right and all the hard work that our team members have put in has really paid off,” Hensley continued, adding the team is planning a celebration to acknowledge the slew of wins.

Schoenfelder — who joined Bar K in June — said the award not only validates their efforts but it propels the business’ mission of growth and expansion.

“With the credibility we have earned, there are more opportunities for partnerships and sponsorships,” he explained. “Overall, this award is a significant milestone for Bar K, and we are excited to leverage this recognition to continue providing outstanding experiences for our members, guests, and their best friends.”

The recognition also illustrates what Bar K’s leadership already noticed in the pet space: dogs have moved from the backyard to the bedroom — and that’s why Bar K exists, Hensley said.

“This isn’t just a trend,” he continued. “It’s actually the future where people do see dogs as family members. And that’s the whole idea of Bar K; really celebrating that special bond that we have with our dogs.”

David Hensley, Bar K; photos by Greysen Williams, Startland News

Investing in Kansas City

Financial details of Bar K’s latest funding round were not disclosed, but Hensley said the infusion will help Bar K scale and make much-needed improvements to its Berkeley Park location, which opened in 2018 in Kansas City.

“We’re trying to elevate the Bar K experience in every way we can,” he added, specifying enhancements to the location’s bar, food and beverage programs, the park experience, and its memberships. “We’re tackling all of those elements right now.”

Building toward Bar K 2.0

Bringing in outside leadership has already added a fresh perspective on how to grow and improve the business, Hensley noted. Along with Schoenfelder, new additions include Rob Messerli, CFO, David Zeilinger, controller, and Jen Huntsman, KC general manager.

“I think they bring a lot of experience,” he said.

Schoenfelder brings experience in both the pet space and hospitality, Hensley continued, which is a rare combination to find.

“Tim offers a wealth of experience and success scaling businesses,” he said. “That is something that we’re really looking forward to and we’ve needed for quite some time. I think it’s coming just at the right time where we will be ready to expand out to other markets quicker.”

The new CEO knew he wanted to be a part of Bar K the first time he visited, Schoenfelder said.

“I was impressed with the concept, but what really struck me was the joy I saw in everyone’s faces,” he explained. “Dogs were smiling. People were smiling. I was smiling. With my years in both the pet and hospitality industry, it felt like a perfect fit. I’m excited to be a part of the team and lead Bar K into the future.”

Bar K’s founders — Dodell and Hensley — have done an incredible job bringing their vision to life, Schoenfelder continued, and now he’s excited to introduce Bar K 2.0, which is all about evolving and elevating their offerings to create even more value for their community. 

Key elements of Bar K 2.0 include:

• Introducing value-driven tiered membership program that cater to different needs and enhance member benefits;
• Revamping the menu to include fresh, creative options that appeal to a wide range of tastes
• Enhancing the bar experience with premium offerings and a vibrant atmosphere;
• Raising the service standards to ensure an exceptional experience for every guest;
• Implementing top-tier health and safety measures with guidance from industry leaders;
• Continuously upgrading our parks with new attractions and improvements;
• Curating a wide range of retail products tailored to guests interests and needs;
• Increasing involvement and positive impact within the community; and
• Exploring growth opportunities, including new company stores and potential franchising to bring Bar K to more communities.

“Bar K 2.0’s vision is about growth, innovation, and delivering unparalleled experiences,” Schoenfelder said. “We’re committed to building on our success and taking Bar K to new heights.”