At Pet Wants, franchisees aren’t just buying into a business — they’re gaining access to a team of industry experts who bring decades of experience, a deep love for pets and a passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed. With several key new appointments and a renewed focus on franchisee support, Pet Wants is proud to introduce the leadership team behind its next era of growth.

“This is what I call a passion brand,” said Ray Fabik, who officially took on the role of president of Pet Wants this year. “We’re about the health and wellness of pets, and our franchisees are some of the most caring and compassionate people I’ve worked with. These are the people I want to spend my time with — and now, they have a leadership team that’s just as invested in their success.”

Kevin Dugan — Vice President of Marketing

A 30-year marketing veteran with deep expertise in agency and client-side brand building, Kevin Dugan brings a unique blend of strategic vision and personal passion to Pet Wants. He joined the brand earlier this year after leading marketing efforts for health care brand BrightView and working with major consumer goods clients throughout his career.

“I’ve always loved animals, and my dogs have always been family members,” Dugan said. “As a result, I’ve seen the product work firsthand — I’m literally the customer. When switching my own dog to Pet Wants after joining the company, he stopped having issues I assumed were allergies.”

Dugan now leads the marketing team, responsible for national and local omnichannel retail strategies.

“My lens for everything we do is: Does this help our franchisees sell?” he said. “We’re working smarter, creating centralized resources and scalable marketing strategies to make sure owners can succeed in their communities.”

Peter Eberly, vice president of marketing strategy, says Dugan is already making a difference. “Kevin brings experience and a sincere understanding of our customers,” he said. “That background, combined with his deep knowledge of franchise marketing, is elevating the way we serve our franchisees and their communities.”

Angela Esposito — Vice President of Franchise Development

Angela Esposito joined Pet Wants as vice president of franchise development with more than 25 years of leadership experience in sales and marketing. In addition to her time in industries as diverse as banking, HVAC, aerospace and luxury fashion, she’s also a former small business owner, having launched and run a granite fabrication business.

“I’ve always been passionate about selling a product I believe in and making people’s lives better,” Esposito said. “Pet Wants stood out to me because my own dogs ate the food, so I knew the brand and respected it.”

Today, Esposito leads a team of franchise development directors, helping guide future Pet Wants owners through the discovery process with clarity and confidence.

“We’re focused on aligning this opportunity with the right candidates,” she said. “We want owners who share our values — passionate entrepreneurs who want to build something and make a meaningful impact in their communities.”

Esposito is refining the brand’s discovery and qualification process to ensure every candidate understands the business model and what it truly means to be a part of the Pet Wants family.

Jessica Riedy — Vice President of Operations

Since joining Pet Wants in 2023, Jessica Riedy has led the charge in building out the brand’s operational systems and franchisee support structure as it grows. With a background in multi-unit operations management, Riedy oversees onboarding, coaching, technology and nutrition across the system.

“We’ve learned a lot in the past year, and now, with this leadership team in place, we’re extremely excited about where we’re headed,” Riedy said. “We’re improving processes, working closely with franchisees and using data to identify areas for growth.”

Riedy and her team are currently focused on major technology upgrades to better support omnichannel retail as well as future system growth.

“We’re continually evolving our tech infrastructure to keep up with the rapid pace of change,” she said. “Our support must make it even easier for owners to tell the Pet Wants story, drive engagement and ultimately grow revenue.”

Her operations team includes subject experts across retail, business operations, technology and pet nutrition. They are all dedicated to providing hands-on, personalized support to franchisees at every stage of their journey.

Ray Fabik – President

The team is led by Ray Fabik, a 10-year veteran of Strategic Franchising who serves as President of Caring Transitions and now brings his leadership to Pet Wants as well. Fabik stepped into the Pet Wants role temporarily, but after realizing he didn’t want to leave, he is assuming the role permanently.  

“When I realized the impact our owners have and the opportunity ahead of us, I didn’t want to stop,” he said. “Pet Wants is a brand that truly makes a difference — and I knew I wanted to be a part of its future.”

Fabik is focused on building a high-performing team, launching new technology and tools to support franchisees, and fostering deeper collaboration across the system. Under his leadership, the brand has already rolled out a new customer app, a loyalty program and other e-commerce initiatives.

“We want to make it easier for customers to access our product and easier for franchisees to succeed,” he said. “That’s our north star. And with this leadership team in place, we’re in the best position we’ve ever been to grow with purpose and impact.”

A Strong Team, a Clear Vision

One thing is clear, the Pet Wants leadership team is united by a shared mission: Support franchise owners, grow the brand with integrity, and improve the health and happiness of pets across the country.

“This is a team that believes in what we’re doing,” Fabik said. “Our franchisees care deeply about pets and their communities — and our leadership team reflects the same passion and drive. We’re already charting the future together.”

To learn more about franchise opportunities with Pet Wants, visit https://1851franchise.com/petwants.

ABOUT PET WANTS:

Pet Wants is a pet health and wellness company that strives to improve the nutrition, health and well-being of pets. Founded in 2010, the brand’s nutrient-dense, dry pet food is made in small batches, and cooked slowly at low temperatures. This ensures its fresh, natural ingredients maintain their vitamins and minerals. Along with its functional treats, chews, and supplements, Pet Wants helps pet parents take a comprehensive, preventative approach to their pet’s health. Pet Wants products are available online, through their app, as well as any of their more than 160 locations across the United States. To learn more about Pet Wants, visit https://www.petwants.com/ or follow @petwantsusa on Facebook, or @petwants on Instagram.