Pet Wants

In a move that's quickly caught the attention of pet lovers in her city,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-marie-valadez-50a033125/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-entrepreneur-mom-is-redefining-furry-friend-care-with-pet-wants-franchise-2725739" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Anna Marie Valadez</a> has embarked on a journey to transform pet care with the launch of her mobile&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">Pet Wants</a> franchise.“We want to be a community resource so our neighbors have a place they can go to for their pet’s nutrition journey —&nbsp;from puppy/kitten to senior,” Anna Marie said. “We’ve only been open for a few months and we’re already making a difference.”Combining her passion for animals with an entrepreneurial spirit, Valadez is on a mission to educate pet owners about the importance of high-quality nutrition. Her venture into the franchise world was inspired by her family’s own personal success with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petwants.com/own-a-pet-wants?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-entrepreneur-mom-is-redefining-furry-friend-care-with-pet-wants-franchise-2725739" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pet Wants</a>' products, which significantly improved their own pets' health.After years of involvement in the financial, education and community service, including overseas humanitarian mission trips — Anna Marie and her husband,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjvaladez/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-entrepreneur-mom-is-redefining-furry-friend-care-with-pet-wants-franchise-2725739" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">David</a>, discovered a new passion in pet nutrition and wellness. Over the past few years Anna Marie began showing her dogs. A recent championship at a dog-show not only highlighted their commitment to animal care but also paved the way for this business venture that launched in January.As Anna Marie prepares to open two brick-and-mortar stores, the Valadezes are excited to offer a personalized, knowledgeable service to the Riverside community. They aim to be more than just a pet store; they envision creating a hub for pet health and wellness education.FEATURE QUESTIONS1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Valadez:&nbsp;Before embarking on our franchise journey, I was deeply involved in the financial industry as an executive assistant and running my own business, Valadez Tax and Notary. I also co-owned Ally Media Solutions with my husband David. My life took a turn when I decided to leave my career to become a stay-at-home mom after having two children 14 months apart — a surprise blessing given that I was told I couldn't have children. My kids up to then were my dogs. Despite this shift, my drive to work remained. I found myself volunteering, participating in mission trips, hosted over 40 international exchange students and always staying active within the community. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, I participated in a year-long entrepreneur program during the pandemic, which led us down a path we hadn't expected.After the passing of my elderly dogs year after year. We decided we were not going to get another dog and travel a bit, but that didn't last long. 8 months later we got our first show dog. I have always been a learner and was blessed with an amazing mentor who sparked a passion for health, wellness and pet nutrition. I've been in the dog-show world for the last two years and our first show dog actually became a grand champion last month and was #9 in the county for his breed for February. Plus, just last week we added a new addition to our family by adopting a rescue who I also did the Pet Wants challenge with, he too chose Pets Wants Fresh Formula over the premium popular food the shelter had him on. I've learned so much more about nutrition, health and grooming with the incredible pet nutrition training provided to us franchise owners that when I look back on our 20-plus years of being pet owners, plus the lifetime of always having at least 1 pet in the house as a kid, I realized that I haven’t always provided the best nutrition for my dogs but knowing now what I know, I am really excited to help other pet owners by bringing premium fresh natural pet food and products to my own community, as well as providing nutritional guidance.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?Valadez:&nbsp;Initially, franchising wasn't really on my radar. It wasn't until our venture into pet care and nutrition, driven by our own pets' needs, that franchising appeared as a viable path for us. Discovering Pet Wants and experiencing the quality of their products firsthand convinced us that this was something we wanted to be a part of.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Valadez:&nbsp;Our pivot to Pet Wants was influenced by our personal journey in pet care, particularly our need for high-quality nutrition for one sensitive dog with severe allergies. The noticeable difference in our pets' health and the quality of products solidified our decision. Before we even bought the franchise, we were convinced by the effectiveness and quality of their offerings.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Valadez:&nbsp;Our goal is to provide a health-and-wellness hub for pets — not just a pet store. Through Pet Wants, we aim to offer high-quality, well-sourced products that we've personally seen make a difference. Our aspiration is to educate our community on pet nutrition and wellness, leveraging our dog’s personal health journey and understanding of the importance of core nutrition. With plans for two brick-and-mortar stores in the works, we want to offer a tangible experience for pet owners, emphasizing the quality and benefits of our products.1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Valadez:&nbsp;I am a pet owner like our customers. Our journey to becoming knowledgeable advocates for pet nutrition and care shows our growth and passion. Our experience highlights the importance of understanding pet needs, from grooming to nutrition, and we're dedicated to helping other pet owners make informed decisions for their own families.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Valadez:&nbsp;We've started our own small businesses in the past, but nothing beats the support from corporate and the knowledge of other franchise owners to help you along your journey. You must love what you're doing. Try the product yourself first. If you’re looking to be a franchise owner and have this entrepreneurship spirit, the product sells itself. It sold us!

Pet Wants Franchisee Provides Care for Furry Friends

1851 Franchise

Anna Marie Valadez brings the pet well-being franchise to Riverside, California, offering a fresh take on health and wellness — and big growth along the way.

How This Entrepreneur Mom Is Redefining Furry Friend Care With Pet Wants Franchise

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Own a Pet Wants Franchise

Owning a business in the pet industry can be both rewarding and demanding. For franchisees with&nbsp;<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/">Pet Wants</a>, the fast-growing pet wellness franchise, success comes from a combination of purpose, partnership and persistence.The brand’s mission of providing fresh, high-quality nutrition for pets attracts owners who genuinely care about the animals and families they serve. But passion alone isn’t enough.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">Pet Wants</a> franchisees also benefit from an extensive support system and a business model that rewards those who commit to learning, growing and working hard in their communities.For Pet Wants franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-steinmetz-16ba16254/">Valerie Steinmetz</a>, for example, those three ingredients have been essential to building her business.<h2>Passion for Pets and Their Health</h2>Many Pet Wants franchisees first discover the brand as pet owners searching for better nutrition options for their own animals. That personal connection often becomes the spark that leads them to entrepreneurship.For Steinmetz, the journey began when her own dog developed health issues. “She was five years old and started getting allergies,” she said. “The more research I did on what could be causing it and what we could do to help her, the more it pointed to food and nutrition.”As she dug deeper into the pet food industry, Steinmetz found the experience frustrating. That search eventually led her to Pet Wants and its franchise opportunity — a concept that immediately resonated with her.“I loved what the brand was about – from the products and high standards for pet wellness to the owners’ community involvement and local presence,” Steinmetz said. “It checked a lot of boxes for me.”Today, that personal passion still drives her business. Steinmetz says the most successful Pet Wants owners are those who&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/pet-wants-as-a-lifestyle-brand-building-a-franchise-around-pet-health-wellness-2730102">genuinely care about helping pets live healthier lives</a>.“You have to have that passion for pets and animals,” she said. “Our clientele's pets are family members. Most Pet Wants owners really have that passion for what they are doing.”That authenticity matters to customers — especially those who are looking for solutions to their pets’ health challenges. “Our passion stems from our own personal experience with our dog,” Steinmetz said. “It’s nice to be able to help pet parents because we’ve been there ourselves."<h2>A Support System Built for Growth</h2>While passion provides the motivation, franchise success also depends on having the right support structure behind the scenes.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/new-to-franchising-heres-why-pet-wants-is-a-great-place-to-start-2729060">Pet Wants provides franchisees with comprehensive training, ongoing coaching and a collaborative network of fellow owners</a>. New franchisees begin with onboarding support and training focused on pet nutrition, marketing and business operations. From there, they continue working closely with franchise business coaches and the brand’s marketing and operations teams.That level of support allows franchisees to focus on building relationships with customers and growing their local presence.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/is-a-storefront-required-how-pet-wants-gives-owners-flexibility-and-a-smarter-route-to-revenue-2731546">The brand’s unique two-phase model</a> also helps owners get started quickly. Franchisees typically begin by operating a mobile store, selling at community events such as farmers markets and pet-focused events. This allows them to build brand awareness and develop a customer base even before opening a brick-and-mortar location.Steinmetz followed a similar path when launching her business. “We started the business in November of 2022 and opened in April 2023,” she said. “We were only mobile for about five months.”Although the mobile model helped introduce the brand locally, Steinmetz and her husband knew they wanted to open a storefront as soon as possible. “We were the first franchisee required to have a store open within a year,” she said. “We knew that was the path we wanted to go. Opening a store made a big difference for us because we could tell people where we were located. It gave us some more validity.”<h2>Hard Work, Consistency and a Willingness to Learn</h2>Even with passion and support, building a successful franchise still requires dedication and a willingness to put in the work. For Steinmetz, one of the biggest lessons she has learned is the importance of consistency.“It’s hard to get started, but you have to show up every day,” she said. “You can’t close early just because no one is there. You have to be there for people when they need you.”Reliability builds trust with customers, especially in a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/franchise-with-community-at-its-core-pet-wants-local-focus-drives-purpose-and-impact-2729102">community-focused retail environment</a> where relationships matter. “People’s time is valuable,” she said. “You have to respect that and make it as easy as possible for them to shop with you.”Continuous learning is another key part of the process. Steinmetz says listening closely to customers has helped shape the way she runs her store. And because Pet Wants operates as an education-focused pet business, understanding customers’ needs can also drive referrals and long-term growth.“We are a solutions-based business,” Steinmetz said. “We’re trying to give customers another option and provide a solution for people whose dogs may have something like a sensitive stomach or skin issues. If you stay true to that and bring in products that help people, the word spreads.”<h2>Building a Business With Purpose</h2>By combining passion for pets, strong franchisor support and the willingness to work hard and keep learning, Pet Wants franchisees can create businesses that grow steadily while making a difference in the lives of pets and their owners.As Steinmetz’s experience shows, those three pillars often go hand in hand. “It hasn’t always been easy and there are, of course, challenges,” she said. “But that’s part of the joy and reward of owning your own business. If I could, I would do the whole thing over again every single time.”Ready to build a business rooted in purpose, passion and pet health and wellness? Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info</a> to learn more about franchising with Pet Wants.

The formula comes down to three simple but powerful ingredients: a passion for pets, strong franchisor support and the dedication to show up and put in the work every day.

3 Keys to Franchise Success with Pet Wants: Passion, Support, and Hard Work

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For many entrepreneurs, the journey into business ownership begins with a personal passion. For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kariann-harker-a3275779">Kariann Harker</a>, that passion has always been animals. After years working in the health care field, she decided it was time to pursue something more fulfilling — and that decision ultimately led her to launch a&nbsp;<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/">Pet Wants franchise</a> in Colorado Springs.<h2>Turning a Passion for Pets Into a Family Business</h2>Harker worked in administrative roles in health care for years before she became a business owner. The job was steady, but it wasn't the kind of long-term career she really wanted. So, she and her husband started looking into ways they could build something as a team, and franchising quickly seemed like the perfect fit.“My husband and I decided we wanted to do something together,” she said. “We looked into franchising, and our passion for animals. We really started there and haven’t looked back.”The idea of entrepreneurship had always been in the back of her mind — especially a business centered around pets. “Dogs have always been a huge passion of mine — they really bring life to me,” she said. “What got us started in this was Ruby, our pit bull. She has a lot of sensitivities, and we were always looking for something healthy that she could eat.”Initially, the couple explored other franchise opportunities. But when they came across&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">Pet Wants</a>, the brand’s mission immediately resonated with them.“We were looking at another franchise after deciding that that was the way to go — one because of the support and two because we didn’t want to start from scratch,” she said. “But we found Pet Wants and it really checked all the boxes.”What stood out most was the brand’s focus on pet health and nutrition — something that had already been a personal challenge in Harker’s own life.“The message about pet health and wellness is something we are always striving for,” she said. “We’ve had a few dogs who have had severe allergies, so finding anything they could even eat was a struggle. I wish we had something like Pet Wants at the time.”Learning more about the brand confirmed that it aligned perfectly with their values and goals. “They explained what the brand was, and talking with them about our passion made us realize it was really aligned with what we wanted to do,” Harker said.<h2>Starting Mobile and Building Momentum</h2>Harker officially launched her Pet Wants business in 2025. Like many Pet Wants franchisees,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/is-a-storefront-required-how-pet-wants-gives-owners-flexibility-and-a-smarter-route-to-revenue-2731546">she began with the mobile model</a> — a strategic approach that allows owners to start building a customer base before opening a storefront.“We started in 2025. It has been fantastic, and we have really been well received here,” Harker said.While the couple is currently negotiating a lease for a brick-and-mortar location, the mobile model has allowed them to establish relationships within the community first. “Starting mobile allows us to really build our clientele, and we aren’t just sitting and waiting around while the storefront is being found,” she said.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/the-flexibility-of-owning-a-pet-wants-franchise-2728539">The flexibility</a> has also made it easier for Harker to take the lead in building the business while her husband continues working his current job. Transitioning from an administrative career to entrepreneurship has been an adjustment, but Harker embraces the learning process.“Every day is something new as we stay on top of what we need to get done,” she said. “It’s a whole new setup that I wasn’t used to, but we are learning and we are making headway.”<h2>Building a Strong Network of Support</h2>Like many first-time business owners, Harker has leaned heavily on the support networks around her — both locally and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/franchise-with-community-at-its-core-pet-wants-local-focus-drives-purpose-and-impact-2729102">within the Pet Wants system</a>.One of the most valuable resources for Harker has been connecting with other women entrepreneurs in her community. For Harker, that network came through the Women’s Chamber of Commerce in Colorado Springs.“That has been a huge benefit,” Harker said. “We found a lot of partners to work with, and knowing they all support women-owned businesses is amazing.”The connections and encouragement from other women entrepreneurs have been a major source of inspiration. “It’s been wonderful being able to go to those networking events and knowing that they support women and want women in business to succeed,” Harker said.Harker also credits the Pet Wants franchise system for&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/franchisee-toolkit-the-key-to-success-in-owning-a-pet-wants-franchise-2730116">providing the support she needed</a> to get her business off the ground. From corporate leadership to fellow franchise owners, Harker says the brand's collaborative culture has been one of the most rewarding aspects of joining the system.“I can’t say enough about the support we’ve gotten from the Pet Wants team, and the other franchisees as well,” she said. “We are always in touch with other franchisees — we aren’t in competition.”She also appreciates the equal footing she has experienced as a female business owner. “They don’t just wait and talk to my husband if they need something — they support me and treat me as an equal,” Harker said.<h2>Looking Ahead</h2>As Harker continues to grow her mobile customer base and finalize plans for a storefront location, she remains focused on the mission that drew her to Pet Wants in the first place:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/investing-in-purpose-how-pet-wants-franchisees-are-transforming-pet-nutrition-2728325">improving the health and well-being of pets in her community</a>.For Harker, the opportunity to combine her love of animals with entrepreneurship has been transformative. And as she continues building her Pet Wants business, she’s proving that sometimes the best careers are the ones built around the things we love most.Ready to build a business rooted in purpose, passion and pet health and wellness? Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info</a> to learn more about franchising with Pet Wants.

In honor of Women's History Month, Kariann Harker shares how female entrepreneurs can turn a passion into a thriving business and connect with other businesswomen.

How This Health Care Professional Turned a Personal Pet Problem Into a Growing Business With Pet Wants

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ALPHARETTA, Ga. —&nbsp;<a href="https://petwantsatlnorth.com/">Pet Wants ATL North</a>, the pet health and wellness brand that strives to improve the nutrition, health, vitality, and well-being of pets, will celebrate the grand opening of its Piedmont location on Saturday, March 21, marking the final store conversion following franchise owner&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergiodelatorreatlanta">Sergio De La Torre’s</a> recent acquisition of four Whole Dog Market locations across North Atlanta.The event represents a major milestone for De La Torre, whose business has grown from a mobile pet food operation launched in 2020 into a multi-location retail presence serving pet families throughout metro Atlanta. Today, the business operates as Pet Wants ATL North, bringing fresh, small-batch pet nutrition and personalized guidance to communities across the region.The Grand Opening celebration will take place at the Pet Wants ATL North Piedmont store (931 Monroe Dr NE, Ste. 113B, Atlanta), bringing together local pet parents, community partners and Atlanta’s growing pet-loving community.Grand Opening highlights include:<ul><li>Dogs &amp; Donuts at 11 a.m., featuring coffee and donuts for guests and a pup cup bar for dogs</li><li>Official ribbon cutting at 12 p.m.</li><li>Professional pet photography for pets and their owners</li><li>Product sampling and in-store raffles, including a grand prize of a year of free pet food</li><li>A weekend promotion offering 20% off select brands, including WOOF, Bocce, Weruva and Raw Dynamic</li></ul>“This reopening represents the final step in bringing these stores into the Pet Wants family,” De La Torre said. “We’ve worked hard to preserve the neighborhood feel customers already love while introducing fresh, small-batch nutrition and personalized guidance for local pet families.”De La Torre first launched his business in 2020 as Pet Wants Alpharetta, operating a mobile model that served farmers' markets and home deliveries throughout North Atlanta. After building a loyal customer base, the business expanded into brick-and-mortar retail and recently acquired four Whole Dog Market locations, transitioning them into the Pet Wants system under the Pet Wants ATL North name.Today, the growing network of stores offers a selection of products, including fresh pet food made in small batches, along with personalized nutrition consultations designed to help pet owners make informed choices about their pets’ diets.“Pet owners today are looking for greater transparency and better options when it comes to what they feed their pets,” De La Torre said. “Our goal is to bring expert guidance and high-quality nutrition into neighborhood stores where pet parents already shop and connect with their community.”Pet Wants ATL North locations include:<ul><li>Pet Wants Piedmont – 931 Monroe Dr NE, Ste. 113B, Atlanta, GA</li><li>Pet Wants Alpharetta – 12850 GA-9, Suite 1700, Alpharetta, GA</li><li>Pet Wants Sandy Springs – 4600 Roswell Rd, Suite E120, Sandy Springs, GA</li><li>Pet Wants Westside Village – 2260 Marietta Blvd NW, Suite 102, Atlanta, GA</li></ul>The business recently became an Associate Partner of the Atlanta Falcons, further strengthening its connection to the local community as Pet Wants ATL North continues expanding across metro Atlanta. Future growth could include additional neighborhoods such as Cumming and Marietta as the business builds its regional presence.For more information about Pet Wants ATL North, visit<a href="https://petwantsatlnorth.com/"> https://petwantsatlnorth.com/</a>.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&nbsp;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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petwants.com/">https://www.petwants.com/</a> or follow Pet Wants on LinkedIn, @petwantsusa on Facebook, @petwants on Twitter and Instagram.

Local franchise owner Sergio De La Torre marks a major milestone in North Atlanta expansion with a community celebration on March 21.

Pet Wants ATL North Celebrates Piedmont Grand Opening, Completing Final Store Conversion Following Whole Dog Market Acquisition

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For entrepreneurs looking at the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/investing-in-pet-wants-franchise-opportunity-2731087">booming pet franchise space</a>, one of the biggest questions comes early: Do I need a storefront on day one? With site selection, buildout planning, and hiring all part of the process, many prospective owners want to understand the path to retail and how to approach it strategically.<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/">Pet Wants</a> takes a different approach. Franchisees start mobile, selling fresh, small-batch pet food through delivery, online, and at local markets as well as community events. After 12 months of building their customer base and sales, they will open a brick-and-mortar location. For many franchisees, that flexibility is what makes the opportunity not just appealing, but doable.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-hyde-2a05a5217">Travis Hyde</a>, a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">Pet Wants</a> franchisee based in Idaho, says beginning with the mobile model allowed him to establish his foundation before expanding into retail.“Opening with the mobile model first was critical for me,” Hyde said. “This allowed me to focus on establishing a clientele and a business. And I was able to work without hiring employees before it got too busy.”<h2>Lower Risk, Faster Learning</h2>Instead of waiting months for a lease to be signed and a store to be built, Pet Wants franchisees can&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/how-pet-wants-franchisees-rapidly-grow-their-businesses-from-mobile-to-brick-and-mortar-locations-2726266">begin generating revenue almost immediately</a>. Rather than beginning immediately with a physical location, franchisees are able to launch operations through events, delivery routes and community engagement.“It let me get my feet underneath me and get a handle on the business,” he said. “You can go through all the training in the world, but you really have to get out there and do it. You have to get out of your comfort zone.”Operating solo in the early days allowed Hyde to build confidence, understand customer behavior, and refine his routine before scaling.“There is a lot to owning a small business that I didn’t know,” he said. “If I had started out as a brick-and-mortar, it would have been much more frustrating.”<h2>Community First, Sales Follow</h2>The mobile model also puts franchisees&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/franchise-with-community-at-its-core-pet-wants-local-focus-drives-purpose-and-impact-2729102">directly in front of their customers</a>. Farmers markets, pop-ups, and local events aren’t just sales opportunities; they’re relationship-builders.“The most important key to this business is going to events,” Hyde 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.”In Hyde’s market, one low-cost weekly event became a cornerstone of his growth. “I have one market that costs $25 to go to, and it is my top sales generator,” he said. “Everyone knows you on a first-name basis.”<h2>Knowing When It’s Time to Go Retail</h2>The Pet Wants model includes opening a storefront as the next phase of growth. By the time franchisees make that transition, they have typically built a customer base, operational familiarity and local brand presence.Managing deliveries, events, and customer service on his own eventually became unsustainable. At the same time, revenue hadn’t quite reached the point where hiring help made sense.&nbsp;“You don’t see the income increase enough to cover hiring somebody else,” Hyde said. “But once you open a storefront, it justifies hiring those employees.”And like many Pet Wants owners experience, opening a brick-and-mortar location didn’t replace Hyde’s mobile business — it amplified it.“With the delivery side, I was able to tell all my customers I have a store now,” he said. “They started telling friends. That helped me grow a lot. And we still keep an events schedule to drive foot traffic.”<h2>A More Professional Presence Without Rushing the Process</h2>Beyond sales, Hyde says the storefront added credibility and structure to his operation. “Once I did the brick-and-mortar, it really solidified the business and made it look even more professional,” he said. “We have a digital presence immediately with our digital storefront and app. And our mobile presence. But having a fixed presence definitely takes things up a notch.”When he began expanding his business, Hyde leaned on Pet Wants’ support system and fellow franchisees for guidance.“The Pet Wants team was great helping me open the storefront,” he said. “I leaned on a neighboring franchisee for best practices. We had everything we needed: fixtures, real estate guidance, all of it.”For Hyde, that flexibility made all the difference. “It really helped me transition into a brick-and-mortar because I already had a client base,” he said. “That foundation changes everything.”For more information on franchising with Pet Wants visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info</a>.

Starting with a mobile setup before opening a physical store helps Pet Wants franchisees build a customer base and grow their business.

Is a Storefront Required? How Pet Wants Gives Owners Flexibility and a Smarter Route to Revenue

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<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/">Pet Wants</a>, a leading provider of fresh, nutrient-rich pet food and pet wellness solutions, is closing out a year defined by expansion, leadership investment, and performance that significantly outpaced the broader pet industry.“2025 was a really strong year for our brand,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-fabik-b17a9521">Ray Fabik</a>, Brand President of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">Pet Wants</a>. “We continued to expand our physical retail footprint, reached 68 retail locations systemwide, and saw double-digit growth that far exceeded overall pet industry growth. That tells us our model, our product, and our people are all aligned.”Retail growth was a key highlight throughout the year, including a notable multi-store deal in Alpharetta, Georgia, where franchise owners acquired three locations from an existing pet retail chain. According to Fabik, that type of growth reflects the strength of the brand and the sophistication of its franchise owners.“We’re seeing owners scale in really meaningful ways,” Fabik said. “When franchisees are confident enough in the model to acquire multiple stores, it reinforces that we’re building something sustainable.”<h2>Locked in with New Leadership</h2>Leadership expansion was another defining theme of 2025. “It was an exciting year for us because we brought on a new brand president, a new vice president of franchise development and a new vice president of marketing,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-esposito513">Angela Esposito</a>, vice president of franchise development. “We’ve been very intentional about building out an already strong team with the right people in the right roles so we can align leadership for success.”Esposito said 2025 franchise development centered on deliberate, strategic growth, not rapid expansion. “We’ve been super focused on bringing in the right owners, people who have the drive to succeed and who truly fit our culture,” she said. “They vet us just as much as we vet them, and we’ve welcomed some amazing owners this year who we’re excited to watch grow.”That focus resulted in new franchise momentum across multiple markets, including a new owner preparing to open the brand’s first location in Arkansas.“Our brand is a passion brand,” Esposito said. “People who love pets and want to own their own business find a natural fit with Pet Wants. At the same time, the pet industry continues to grow. Pet parents are spending more on their dogs than ever before, and new owners recognize how powerful that combination is.”<h2>Building Out in 2026</h2>Looking ahead, Pet Wants is positioning 2026 as a “year of investment,” with new infrastructure designed to support franchisees as the system continues to grow.“In 2026, we’re investing heavily back into the brand and our owners,” Fabik said. “We’re creating new support roles, including a director of retail operations, an inventory manager, and a director of grooming services, all specifically designed to help our franchisees operate more efficiently and profitably.”Technology and marketing enhancements are also a major focus for the coming year. Fabik said Pet Wants is enhancing its website experience across all locations to make it easier for customers to engage, order, and stay connected with their local stores. The brand is also expanding its paid media strategically across the system to strengthen digital visibility and customer acquisition.Esposito said the brand’s growth goals for 2026 are aggressive but deliberate. “We’ve identified several key states we want to expand into,” she said. “At the same time, we’re expanding our support team so all owners have even more hands-on guidance to help them grow.”As Pet Wants enters the new year, leadership remains confident that the brand’s combination of fresh pet nutrition, retail scalability, and franchisee-first support will continue to drive momentum.“We’re building for the long term,” Fabik said. “Everything we’re doing — from leadership hires to operational support to technology and food innovation — is about making sure our franchisees are set up for success now and well into the future.”Ready to build a business rooted in purpose, passion, and pet health and wellness? Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info</a> to learn more about franchising with Pet Wants.

With new leadership hires and booming franchise development across the country, Pet Wants is outpacing the broader pet industry and positioning itself for success in 2026.

Pet Wants Closes Out 2025 With 60+ Retail Stores Open and Double-Digit Growth

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