Auto Industry Veteran and Retired Teacher Fuel Pet Passion with Pet Wants Franchise

Rob and Denise Kelly, a new franchisee duo with Pet Wants, the brand committed to providing fresh, high-quality pet nutrition, have decided to embark on a new journey.   The couple decided to pivot from their corporate careers and embark on a new chapter with Pet Wants. Now, with plans to start their franchise in early 2024, the Kellys and fur baby Teddi are ready to bring hope and nutritional awareness to pets and pet parents across the Greenville, South Carolina area. 

Prior to joining Pet Wants, Rob had a 27-year tenure in the automotive industry, supplying luxury interiors to Cadillac, BMW and Tesla. However, with the reorganization of his department,  he found himself at a crossroads and decided to leave the corporate world behind. Meanwhile, Denise, a retired teacher with a compassionate history of volunteering at animal shelters and assisting homebound students, shared a life filled with canine companionship. 

The Kellys' journey into franchising was born out of a combination of their desire for a career pivot and their passion for pets. Their firsthand experience with Pet Wants’ food impressed them deeply, aligning with their values and igniting their entrepreneurial spirit. Rob was drawn to the brand's mission and support system, while Denise saw a unique opportunity in the company's nutrition-focused model to make a difference. The comprehensive training and guidance provided by Pet Wants were pivotal in their decision to join the franchise, reinforcing their belief in the brand.

As new franchisees, the Kellys are fueled by the excitement of educating their community on pet nutrition and individualized care. They envision not just running a successful business, but also becoming a resource for pet owners seeking to improve the lives of their furry family members through better dietary choices. With plans to expand and open additional stores, they aspire to be pillars in the local pet community. 

1851 Franchise spoke with Rob and Denise to learn more about their background, their journey to the Pet Wants brand and their plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Rob: I’ve been in the automotive industry as an interior product supplier to major luxury car companies like Cadillac, BMW, Tesla, etc., for 27 years. Due to the department's reorganization, I was let go. I decided I was done with the corporate world and wanted to try something new. I researched dozens of business opportunities before realizing franchising was for us.

Denise: I am a retired teacher, and I was a caretaker for some of my grandchildren after that. I also visited homebound students that needed in-house education and have always been a frequent volunteer for some of the animal shelters nearby. 

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Rob: The support that a franchise provides vs. trying to open up a brand new business on your own was very attractive to us. As we chatted with the team at Pet Wants, we really loved the processes they already had in place and the way the franchise was set up for us. If we had to start a pet food business on our own, we wouldn’t even know where to start. 

Denise: It was clear that Pet Wants provided great hands-on training and guidance, so we knew we’d be ready to bring this concept to our area. 

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Rob: After deciding we wanted to do something new, we ideally wanted something related to pets. We did our research, and I went and visited one of the Pet Wants locations in South Carolina. I really loved the concept, what they stand for and their mission to help pets. We thought it’d be a great way to get into the pet food business.  

Denise: We’ve always loved dogs and owned many ourselves. We had one dog that touched our heart, a 10-year-old named Kenzie, who passed from a benign tumor in her stomach. We know that nutrition and non-processed foods are really essential and can extend dogs' lives. That is how we developed a passion for pet nutrition. When we found Pet Wants, it felt like a perfect fit. 

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Rob: We’d really like to expand the business and eventually open up another one or two retail stores in the future. 

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Denise: We really want to educate our community and be more involved — the goal is to individualize the needs of dogs so local pet owners can better take care of their furry friends. That is our big thing. As pet parents, we used to only look at the main ingredients of the food we were buying. Now, we see things a different way — the food images and the ingredient labels can be very deceptive. We want to bring attention to the benefits of choosing the right pet food for your specific pet. 

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Rob: You will always be nervous about whether you should take the plunge, but a franchise can make the decision easier. After we met everyone at the Pet Wants corporate office, it really solidified that we had made the right decision. They are a great group of people. They are really helpful and knowledgeable. 

To learn more about Pet Wants franchise opportunities, visit: https://1851franchise.com/petwants

About Pet Wants

Pet Wants is a pet health and wellness company that strives to improve the nutrition, health, vitality, and well-being of pets. Founded in 2010, the brand’s specially crafted, private-label pet food formulas are made in small batches with fresh, natural ingredients complete with vitamins and minerals for a complete and balanced diet in every bowl, all made in the USA. Pet Wants has set a new standard in what you should expect in your pet food through their 140+ locations across the United States. To learn more about Pet Wants, visit https://www.petwants.com/ or follow Pet Wants on LinkedIn, @petwantsusa on Facebook, @petwants on Twitter and Instagram.