Pet Wants

After 25 years in the software industry,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjspreckelsen?trk=public_profile_browsemap&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-software-expert-is-following-a-childhood-dream-with-the-launch-of-pet-wants-in-st-augustine-florida-2729508" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">RJ Spreckelsen</a> was ready for something more meaningful, specifically something that aligned with his passion for animals and desire to work alongside his family.&nbsp;Now, with the launch of&nbsp;<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-software-expert-is-following-a-childhood-dream-with-the-launch-of-pet-wants-in-st-augustine-florida-2729508" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pet Wants</a> St. Augustine Central, he’s combining entrepreneurial ambition with a mission-driven brand that prioritizes pet health, small-batch nutrition and community connection. As a mobile-first operation with plans to open a storefront in 2025, RJ’s new venture is already gaining traction — and he’s just getting started.1851 spoke with RJ to learn more about his background and his decision to join the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">Pet Wants</a> pack.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?RJ Spreckelsen: I’ve been in the software industry for a little over 25 years. I’ve always had a love and passion for animals. I really wanted to change careers and do something more toward helping pets and pet owners. I’ve also always wanted to open my own business and be an entrepreneur. Growing up, I wanted a career working with animals, and when I started looking at my options, I eventually found Pet Wants.1851: What did you do before franchising?Spreckelsen: I’ve worked in software testing — testing applications for different industries. Most recently, it was in banking, but I’ve also done insurance software, medical software, HR software — a little bit of everything.1851:&nbsp;What was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about it now?Spreckelsen: What drove me toward franchising was the support — they offer a lot of help with marketing, point you in the right direction with products, branding and more. That helps answer a lot of those original questions and the unknowns when you’re starting a new business. It gets you moving faster than if you had to do all of that on your own.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Spreckelsen: What I liked about Pet Wants was the mobile-first model — for the first year or so, you start mobile and then transition to a storefront. I thought that was a great way to get into the area early on. But what I really loved was their focus on nutrition and natural foods. No artificial preservatives, no soy, no byproducts. They have a proprietary dry food blend that’s made in small batches every 45 days — that’s something you won’t find in big box retailers. Pet Wants also feels like a close-knit team. Even though it’s growing, the franchisees and the company are really connected by a shared mission: doing what’s best for pets and their people.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Spreckelsen: The first goal is to open a retail store at the beginning of next year. After that, I’d like to expand a little further south and hopefully add a couple more ZIP codes.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Spreckelsen: This is a family business. My wife is involved, and my daughter — who’s an animal science major — has the same love for animals as I do. She’ll be helping at the farmer’s markets and local events. My eighth-grade son is also excited to pitch in. It’s really nice to be able to spend that extra time together and build something meaningful as a family.1851 Franchise: What advice do you have for people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Spreckelsen: Do your research and find not just a business, but something you’re actually passionate about. It shouldn’t just be a job — this should be something you love to do. When it comes to franchises, find one that meets your needs. For me, the mobile-to-storefront model was the perfect fit. Just make sure you’re choosing something that gets you excited to wake up and make a difference every day.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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petwants.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-software-expert-is-following-a-childhood-dream-with-the-launch-of-pet-wants-in-st-augustine-florida-2729508" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.petwants.com/</a> or follow Pet Wants on LinkedIn, @petwantsusa on Facebook, @petwants on Twitter and Instagram.

How This Software Expert is Following a Childhood Dream with the Launch of Pet Wants 

RJ Spreckelsen: From Software Expert to Pet Wants Franchise Owner

1851 Franchise

After more than 25 years in tech, RJ is turning his lifelong love of animals into a family-run business focused on delivering fresh, natural pet food to the St. Augustine community.

How This Software Expert is Following a Childhood Dream with the Launch of Pet Wants in St. Augustine, Florida

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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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How This Software Expert is Following a Childhood Dream with the Launch of Pet Wants in St. Augustine, Florida

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