Navy Veteran and His Wife are Bringing Pet Wants to Rockport, Texas
Gearing up to open in July 2023, Andrew Bazner is ready to connect with fellow pet lovers in his community and offer a more nutritious food choice.
Andrew Bazner, a six-year veteran of the U.S. Navy and a long-time telecommunications industry professional, along with his wife, a practicing attorney, have recently embarked on a new journey. After becoming empty nesters at the end of COVID-19, the couple relocated from Washington D.C. to Rockport, Texas, a move that would eventually herald their entry into franchising with Pet Wants, the only national provider of pet food freshly delivered to customers.
In addition to a shared entrepreneurial drive, Bazner and his wife have always had a lifelong love for animals — a passion they found mirrored in the pet-loving community of Rockport, Texas. With every household in Rockport reportedly having at least one cat or dog, Bazner knew the potential for success would be high with the right pet-focused business. So, the couple decided to combine the best of both worlds and began looking into pet food franchises.
When the duo found Pet Wants, they were blown away by the quality and affordability of the product, as well as the community-driven approach of the brand. Community engagement and a genuine love for animals are integral parts of the Bazners' story, with the couple having spent time volunteering at their local pet shelter.
Now, with plans to open their first Pet Wants location in July, the Bazners have ambitions to eventually own the entire territory along the South Texas Gulf Coast.
PROFILE QUESTIONS
1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?
Bazner: I am a six-year veteran of the U.S. Navy. I went in right out of high school and, after serving, started to work in the telecommunications space for about 30 years. My wife has been a practicing attorney for the last 17 years. Following the pandemic, we became empty nesters and decided to embark on a new adventure, moving from Washington D.C. to Rockport, Texas. We packed up and headed south. We’ve been here for about two years now.
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?
Bazner: I’ve worked at and served other businesses my entire career and always had the itch to do something on my own. I looked into Pet Wants six or seven years ago, and was very interested in the business model. The value of the franchise opportunity is so strong. Coming into any market or to any new business as an entrepreneur, there are so many things you have to learn very quickly. With Pet Wants, they have a whole team of people that are experts in each aspect of the business, whether it be products, services, real estate, marketing, accounting, etc. That was very appealing to us.
1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?
Bazner: What got us into the franchise opportunity was the desire to be business owners and build something of our own. But a close second to that was our love for animals. Both my wife and I have been pet owners our entire lives. The love our community has for animals is also very palpable. It makes for a perfect fit with Pet Wants. Census data shows that people in Rockport have at least one dog or cat in every household. That is a very high pet ownership rate. We are excited to get started and bring this unique opportunity to the Rockport community.
1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?
Bazner: We hope to own the Pet Wants brand along the entire South Texas Gulf Coast one day. That is the long-term aspiration. The short-term goal is really to work with a well-established brand that has already done well in communities across the country, and bring that success into our town that loves its pets.
1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?
Bazner: We are very big on community. We absolutely love animals, and we’ve worked with them in the past. My wife has volunteered locally at the pet shelter, for example. We love our pets here. All you have to do is go out into town, and you’ll see it. All establishments are open and welcoming to animals. It is really a part of the culture here — much more than in other places that I’ve lived. I’ve never quite seen anything like it, and we are excited to be a part of it.
1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?
Bazner: Franchises have a much higher success rate than other businesses out there. It is still a high risk, but there is a high reward. When you find the right opportunity, with the right team of people to stand behind you, it gives you that peace and comfort knowing your chance of success is elevated. It allows you to focus on the joy of embarking on a new adventure.
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.
MORE STORIES LIKE THIS
A Veteran’s Battle with PTSD Inspires New Dog Training Elite Franchise in Corpus Christi, Texas
Chilean Entrepreneur Chooses Fresh Coat Painters to Pursue the American Dream
From Tech Leadership to Tiny Homes: Brad Jones Finds New Purpose in Franchising
Mother-Son Team Share Stories Through Custom Garments As Big Frog Franchisees