As the Restaurant and Foodservice Editor at Chain Store Guide (CSG), I tend to spend my mornings rummaging through an abundance of emails (sometimes hundreds at a time), reading numerous articles on multiple news and social media outlets, and dissecting annual reports and company press releases for almost every company in the hospitality industry. One of my favorite parts about being exposed to so much information is when I stumble across articles that combine my professional life with my personal one.

Although CSG does not capture specific information on pet policies nor do we keep track of pet perks or accommodations, if you’re traveling with a pet this holiday season or just wondering where you can share a bite to eat, then this is beneficial to you and your little dog, too. Combining information from BarkPost author, Michelle Vogt, CSG data, and Pet Travel Inc., we have listed just a few companies that are not only dog friendly, but go out of their way to treat your furry, four-legged pals like family – much like we do already.

Participants, treats, and accommodations vary based on location. Most restaurant locations are equipped with drive-thru windows, are drive-in concepts, or offer outdoor seating for you and your pet.

Restaurants

With over 21,000 locations worldwide, Starbucks has been known to partake in being dog friendly through its alleged “Secret Menu.” Many of the millions of Starbucks customers have ordered items for their pet such as the Puppuccino, which is simply a small dab of vanilla whipped cream. If Starbucks isn’t your cup of coffee, then one of the more than 4,000 Tim Hortons locations might be of service to you and your pet by offering  sugar-free plain Timbits as a treat.

For the main course, you and your canine can enjoy The Flying Dutchman, which is pet and human friendly, and consists of two beef patties and two slices of cheese, from one of In-N-Out Burger’s nearly 300 locations. If it is a basic dog treat that your furry pal is craving, then any one of Chick-fil-A’s 1,700+ or Sonic Drive-In’s 3,500+ locations will do the trick.

Select Johnny Rockets locations offer a specialized menu that includes doggie hamburgers, ice cream, and even “pupcakes.” Another cake related treat can be found at any of the 17 Sprinkles Cupcakes locations where not only the owner can enjoy a treat, but the dog can, too. Continuing along with dessert specialties, lucky four-legged patrons of Culver’s Frozen Custard could be privy to a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with a milk bone, or even a trip to Dairy Queen which offers up a small-serving of its vanilla soft serve ice cream known as The Pup Cup!  Topping it all off, Shake Shack invented the Pooch-ini, which consists of dog biscuits, peanut butter sauce, and vanilla custard, to serve at any of its 34 locations.

Hotels and Resorts

Traveling with a pet can be stressful for everyone involved. Luckily for you and your pup, there are several hotels and resorts that take special care of your furry family member during your stay.

One in particular, Loews Hotels and Resorts, offers a standardized “Loews Loves Pets” program that is accepted at almost all of its locations across the U.S. and Canada. First-class amenities include a personal welcome note from the hotel manager, dog-walking routes, grooming locations, pet-sitters, a complimentary bag of treats and a toy, and specialized bedding for both dogs and cats. There is also a room service menu and a “Did You Forget Closet” that contains anything and everything your pet desires.

If your pet weighs in at less than 15lbs, the Four Seasons will pamper your dog with one of the hotel’s in-room spa services or accommodate your dog with walking services and special treats. Many Four Seasons take animal care a step further with a veterinarian on-call to ensure your dog is not only relaxed, but healthy, too.

While most of Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ pet policies are different for each of its hotel concepts, the company does not spare any luxury for both the human and the furry best friend. According to Pet Travel Inc., 125 out of 150 Westin Hotels and all W Hotels in North America will welcome dogs less than 40 pounds. Both of the luxurious hotels pamper pooches with custom pet beds, robes, menus, toys, treats, and even massages. All guests will also be informed of any dog-friendly activities occurring locally during their stay.