1851’s Most Innovative Franchises in 2026: Pet Wants

Innovation doesn't always mean inventing an entirely new category. Sometimes it means rethinking how an existing industry should work.

That's exactly what Pet Wants aims to do in the pet retail space. Rather than forcing franchisees into an expensive brick-and-mortar investment from day one or limiting them to a mobile-only business, the brand has developed a phased growth model that allows owners to build revenue, relationships and confidence before opening a retail location. Combined with its proprietary fresh pet food, nutrition-first philosophy and educational approach to customer service, Pet Wants has created a franchise concept that looks markedly different from traditional pet retailers.

"We really fall into a sweet spot," said Peter Eberly, vice president of brand development. "There are a lot of pet franchises that are mobile-driven, like grooming or poop pickup, that are fairly low-cost. Then there are the really big-box retailers with brick-and-mortar locations that have a huge entry price point. Pet Wants fills the middle ground."

A Two-Phase Model That Challenges Traditional Retail

Perhaps the brand's biggest innovation isn't the product. It's the business model. Rather than requiring franchisees to spend months building out a retail location before generating their first dollar in revenue, Pet Wants launches new owners with a mobile business focused on local deliveries, farmers markets, community events and online sales. Franchisees spend roughly their first year building a customer base before opening a neighborhood storefront.

"Another differentiator is that we have this two-phase approach," Eberly said. "You can start mobile, get the name out in the community, drive revenue and build a client list and customer base as you get ready to build the brick-and-mortar store. It's very different than other pet retail franchises, where revenue isn't typically coming in as you start the business. That is a huge differentiator and advantage."

For franchisee Travis Hyde, that approach removed much of the pressure that comes with opening a new business. "Opening with the mobile model first was critical for me," Hyde said. "This allowed me to focus on establishing a clientele and a business. I was able to work without hiring employees before it got too busy. It let me get my feet underneath me and get a handle on the business. You can go through all the training in the world, but you really have to get out there and do it."

Reinventing What a Pet Store Can Be

Pet Wants stores function more like neighborhood nutrition centers, where education and relationships matter just as much as the products on the shelves.

"The owners who have been successful here are the ones who are passionate about improving the lives of pets in their community," Eberly said. "The pet owners come to learn about what might make their dog or cat healthier. There is a personal relationship component to the brick-and-mortar piece. It is much more personalized than a typical retail environment."

That educational approach begins long before customers ever walk into a store. Hyde says local events have become one of the biggest drivers of both sales and community trust.

"The most important key to this business is going to events," he said. "I do the events myself so I can be the face of the business. It's important to have those relationships with the customers. With the delivery side, I was able to tell all my customers I have a store now. They started telling friends. That helped me grow a lot. And we still keep an events schedule to drive foot traffic."

Innovation Through Better Nutrition

Pet Wants has also reimagined the product itself. Instead of producing massive quantities of kibble that may spend months sitting in warehouses and on retail shelves, the company manufactures proprietary pet food in small batches every six to eight weeks using low-temperature cooking methods designed to preserve nutrients. The food is shipped to franchisees quickly, giving customers access to significantly fresher products than those commonly found through traditional retail channels.

"There are two important aspects of pet food: the ingredients that are used and the way the product is stored," said Jeff Rachu, director of nutrition programs. "With Pet Wants, everything comes to us specifically. We know the ingredients, we know the temperature the food is cooked at, we know how the food is stored. It's all controlled. We've worked with our manufacturer to develop these formulas with input from nutritionists, veterinarians, formulation experts and more. Every ingredient has a purpose — there are no fillers."

Franchisees as Pet Wellness Experts

Pet Wants’ goal is also to shift the role of the franchise owner. Rather than acting as retail managers, franchisees become trusted advisors who educate customers about nutrition and long-term pet wellness.

"Our owners go through comprehensive training to understand pet nutrition," Rachu said. "It's about asking the right questions and knowing the right answers. This knowledge empowers franchisees to build lasting relationships with customers."

That mission resonates deeply with owners who first discovered Pet Wants while searching for healthier food for their own pets.

"So many owners are folks who found the brand as a consumer," Eberly said. "Their pet had some issues and they found the Pet Wants product and became an advocate themselves. They wanted to share that and start their own business in the space. We are a growing brand that has seen some nice momentum. The health trend, even in the pet space, makes us feel like we have the wind at our back around our concept. We are growing, but have plenty of room to expand and help other communities."

Stay tuned throughout the rest of the month for 1851 Franchise's full Innovative Franchise Concepts series to explore the other innovative brands making waves in the industry.