Multi-Generational Family of Petlovers Dive into Franchising with Pet Wants, Bringing Healthy Pet Food to Skagit

Susan Hughes, a retired Boeing engineer, along with her daughter Alexandra and granddaughter Alexis, both caregivers, have found their next calling with Pet Wants — a franchise committed to offering fresh, healthy and convenient pet food. Although none of them had prior experience with franchising, their love for animals and the desire to work together as a family led them to explore the franchise world, preferring to work hard for their family's benefit rather than for someone else.

Susan first discovered the Pet Wants brand while visiting a brick-and-mortar store in her area. She was blown away by the quality of the food, which improved her own pets’ energy levels within just two weeks. After looking deeper into the business model, the trio were particularly attracted to the franchise's affordability, scalability and consumer offering. 

Now, the Hughes family team has ambitious plans for their business. Starting with a mobile Pet Wants concept, they aim to open a retail store within a year and add another territory in their second year. They are excited to share their passion for healthy pet food with the community and work together as three generations of a family to grow their business in Skagit County.

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

Susan: I worked as an engineer at Boeing for 35 years before retiring. I had never thought about doing a franchise business, but when I visited a Pet Wants pet store, I realized it could be a great way to start a family business that I could grow with my daughter and granddaughter. We all love pets and animals in general, and we were really drawn to healthy pet food. Between the three of us, we have six dogs and three cats. Alexandra and Alexis are both caregivers specializing in Alzheimer and Dementia patients.

Alexandra: When my mom told me about the store and I went with her the next time, I completely understood her vision and found the idea very appealing. I would rather work hard to benefit our family and pets than work for someone else. It was the right opportunity, and the timing was perfect.

Alexis: When I moved to northern Skagit County I was blown away by the atmosphere and community here, all I could think about was how to get involved.  I have been all over this area taking care of people and their pets at their homes, so when this opportunity came I also knew I would be serving those in this community.  Many in the community could benefit from having good quality pet food being delivered to their homes or have the option of a small business instead of big box stores.  It is just the best bonus that I get to share this opportunity with my family.

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?

Susan: I knew nothing about franchising. After visiting Pet Wants and speaking with the owner, who was a very nice man, I realized I needed to research and learn more about it.

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

Alexandra: I initially thought that the franchise was out of reach, cost-wise. However, Pet Wants appealed to us because of its affordability and scalability. It wasn't too expensive, and the franchise model is excellent.

Susan: The dog food was what initially attracted us to the franchise. I liked that it was healthy and made in small batches without preservatives. The price was also lower than many competitors, including the big box stores where I used to shop. Within two weeks, our dogs had more energy, which really impressed us.

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

Susan: We have set goals for expanding our business. We're starting with a mobile concept and plan to open a retail store within a year. Our second-year goal is to add another territory because we want to work hard for ourselves. It's also beneficial for the community, and we're excited to share this with them.

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

Susan: My husband passed away three years ago, so this venture is really something new and a second opportunity for me. I never thought of owning a business before, so this is entirely new territory. There will be a big learning curve, but it's great to think about having these goals for our family and working together to achieve them. Three generations of our family are working together, fully invested in the business and within three years, we hope to have the ability to invest in our family.

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

Susan: I would advise them to investigate the opportunity thoroughly and determine whether it's something they're truly passionate about and want to share with the community.

Alexandra: Don't second-guess yourself. If you find something you're passionate about and can make it happen, take the step.

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 enhanced 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 and has created the ultimate convenience with free, personal delivery through their 90+ locations across the United States. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Pet Wants franchise ranges from $131,350 to $202,500. This includes between $57,500 and $62,500 paid to the franchisor or an affiliate. To learn more about Pet Wants, visit petwants.com. Or, follow Pet Wants on LinkedIn, @petwantsusa on Facebook, @petwants on Twitter and Instagram.