As long-time pet lovers and dedicated community members, Charlie and Cora Baker officially opened their new Pet Wants franchise in Roanoke on October 1st, offering fresh, small-batch, slow-cooked natural food for dogs and cats. With backgrounds in retail and a shared vision for their family business, they’ve embarked on a journey to bring healthier pet food options to the pets of their hometown after experiencing the benefits first hand with their own German Shepard puppy. The Bakers plan to build strong community partnerships, host outreach events and make local pets’ well-being a top priority.

1851 Franchise spoke with the Bakers to learn more about their story, their decision to join Pet Wants and their plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Charlie Baker: I’ve always been in retail, mostly in the sleep and mattress industry, and before that in men’s tailored clothing, so I’ve spent my life helping people — whether it’s helping them get a good night’s sleep or feel confident in what they wear.

Cora Baker: I’ve been in the pet space most of my life. I started selling collars and treats at a swap meet, and later worked at PetSmart. I’ve always had pets around, so working in the pet industry just feels right. I moved into office administration after retail, and when I took time off to care for our son, I got more involved in the community and we decided we wanted to do something more.

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?

Charlie: We’ve been married for 16 years, and it’s always been a goal to have our own business, though starting one from scratch was intimidating. I left the corporate world last year, and we began exploring franchises that would give us a path to start our business with a reliable system behind it.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Charlie: We chose Pet Wants because it matches our values. We love the idea of making pets healthier and helping them live longer lives. We got a German Shepherd puppy, Nacho, right after leaving my job, and he had some health issues right away due to his food. Pet Wants sent us a sample, and I could see the difference. Pet Wants never uses sugar, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors or animal by-products. Watching how much Nacho loved the food and how it helped his health — that’s what sold us on the brand.

Cora: I also liked that the Pet Wants business model has stages — the mobile model first and then moving into a storefront. I liked the idea of building a customer base and understanding their needs before opening a physical location.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Charlie: We aim to open our first storefront in March and want to have five stores in five years. More than anything, we want to impact our local community and the surrounding areas positively.

Cora: We’re lucky to be in a rapidly growing area, and people here really care about health, including their pets’ health. Being a trusted partner in helping families reach their pet wellness goals is important to us.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Charlie: We’re all about passion, and that passion drives our mission. We want to make a positive impact on every person and pet we come across.

Cora: Being part of the community means giving back. We’re committed to supporting local rescues as we want to make a difference for pets in every way possible.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Charlie: Having a great franchise consultant really made a difference for us. The guidance helped us feel confident in our path, and having a mentor, someone with experience, is invaluable.

Cora: Our consultant asked us deep questions about our goals and expectations. It made us reflect on what we’re truly looking for. No matter what franchise you choose, you need to be ready to put in the work and commit. The success of your franchise impacts the others in the network, so everyone has a responsibility to lift each other up.

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.