Pet Wants

Founded more than a decade ago,&nbsp;<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=meet-the-new-scalable-franchise-model-from-pet-wants-2719378" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pet Wants</a>, the only national provider of pet food freshly delivered to customers, has become a household name for pet owners and franchise professionals across the U.S. As a result, more and more savvy entrepreneurs are joining the Pet Wants’ brand and entering the&nbsp;<a href="https://fortunly.com/statistics/pet-spending-statistics/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=meet-the-new-scalable-franchise-model-from-pet-wants-2719378" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">booming</a> pet food market. This year, the Pet Wants team is shifting its strategy to make its business model even stronger, moving to a more scalable retail model that starts mobile and builds to a full-blown retail pet store model in a way that doesn’t break the bank.Pet Wants franchise owners will now start out with a mobile or event-based business and focus on acquiring subscription delivery customers and building connections with local pet parents in their first year. At the end of their first year, franchisees will add the launch of their retail pet store and grooming center that sells Pet Wants food, custom chews and treats, as well as supplements.&nbsp;“Our model used to give an option: mobile owner or a retail owner,” said Pet Wants VP of Operations&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulkamm?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=meet-the-new-scalable-franchise-model-from-pet-wants-2719378" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Paul Kamm</a>. “But what we saw was that a franchise owner’s volume would increase significantly when they opened a physical location and gave customers the opportunity to visit us anytime they wanted. So, our new franchise model going forward will be starting with mobile, and then moving to a brick-and-mortar location after a year. Our focus is on making our franchisees as successful as possible, and we learned that a physical location makes a huge difference.”In phase one of this strategy, Pet Wants owners will open the mobile event-based franchise, which is designed to help build local brand awareness as they take advantage of farmers’ markets, dog shows, community events and festivals. Events like these are a great and inexpensive way to introduce Pet Wants food to a large number of customers and an easy way to acquire new subscription and delivery clients, Kamm says.&nbsp;As the business grows, the mobile unit is designed to transition into phase two by&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/how-pet-wants-grew-from-a-local-market-kiosk-to-a-thriving-franchise-network-eyeing-the-200-unit-mark-2718965#featured">easily scal</a>ing into a full retail storefront operation that works in conjunction with mobile delivery. One year after launching in the mobile event-based phase, franchisees have created connections by making deliveries in a Pet Wants vehicle and attending community events. This growing customer base will pay off when it comes time to open the retail store. But Kamm notes that the Pet Wants storefront isn’t just another retail pet chain.&nbsp;“We are not a traditional pet store — we are a dog and cat nutrition and wellness store,” said Kamm. “We don’t have a huge array of products, which allows us to avoid the costly overhead associated with larger pet chain franchises. Many of our stores occupy less than the industry average and require fewer employees as well, coming in at around 1200 square feet.”These factors help make the Pet Wants franchise remarkably affordable. Startup costs for a Pet Wants franchise range from&nbsp;<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/cost/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=meet-the-new-scalable-franchise-model-from-pet-wants-2719378" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">$42,500 to $202,000</a>, which is tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars less than big-box pet franchises.&nbsp;While the cost to start the franchise is affordable, the concept offers a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/why-this-pet-wants-franchisee-continues-to-grow-with-the-brand-2718968">high value proposition</a>. For example, Kamm says that Pet Wants franchisees can take advantage of dual revenue streams once they open their brick-and-mortar store: retail sales (both in-person and online through the brand’s eCommerce platform) and grooming services.&nbsp;“There is a synergy between them — most of our customers are looking for both food and grooming, and they want total wellness,” Kamm said. “As customers get to know the value of Pet Wants food and the impact it has on their pets’ lives, they spread the word. That drives traffic to your website and into the store.”When it comes to the simplicity of the operations, Pet Wants exclusive premium fresh pet foods are manufactured in the brand’s U.S. facility and shipped in small batches directly to Pet Wants franchises, which means franchisees enjoy exclusivity when it comes to customer demand. Franchisees will also have access to a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/health-conscious-pet-food-brand-educates-owners-nationwide-on-holistic-approach-to-animal-health-and-wellness-2718966#featured">training and development curriculum</a> that provides the tools to become an expert in the field of pet nutrition so they can offer more than just great products. The team’s expert knowledge will help franchisees establish credibility when they talk to prospective customers about their pets’ needs.&nbsp;Overall, Kamm says this new scalable strategy is primarily about meeting customers where they are. “Some customers love the home delivery, while other people would rather come in, do some talking, and pick things out themselves,” he said. “With this new strategy, we are offering both methods and appealing to a larger pool of clientele, especially because we can add on grooming services as well.”&nbsp;Incoming Pet Wants franchisees can start with a brick-and-mortar storefront if they’d prefer, Kamm says, but most owners will start with mobile, limiting overhead and providing them with the opportunity to get started with building their retail location and recouping their investment faster. The Pet Wants team will also be hands-on every step of the way to ensure franchisees can pair up with local real estate experts to find the ideal start and get the build-out ready to go.Now, with plans to have over 200 units open by 2024 and a goal of signing 60 new locations in 2022, the time has never been better for savvy entrepreneurs to leverage the support of Pet Wants’ proven brand and scalable business model to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/how-this-pet-wants-franchisee-left-the-corporate-world-followed-her-entrepreneurial-dreams-2719133#featured">achieve their entrepreneurial dreams</a>.&nbsp; The total investment necessary to begin the operation of a Pet Wants Franchise is between $42,500 to $202,000, including a $42,500 franchise fee that can be earned back through the brand’s Winner’s Circle program. For more information, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=meet-the-new-scalable-franchise-model-from-pet-wants-2719378" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://petwantsfranchise.com/</a>&nbsp;

Meet the New Scalable Franchise Model from Pet Wants

1851 Franchise

By starting with a mobile, events-based franchise and moving on to opening a brick-and-mortar storefront within a year, Pet Wants franchisees can keep overhead costs down, generate brand awareness and recoup their investment faster.


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

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Own a Pet Wants Franchise

One of the biggest questions when exploring franchise ownership is simple:&nbsp;Will this actually work for me? The answer often depends on flexibility. That’s exactly where&nbsp;<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/">Pet Wants</a> stands out.With a mobile-first approach, a scalable path to brick-and-mortar and a deeply supportive system, the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">Pet Wants</a> franchise model is designed to meet owners where they are and grow with them over time.“We have a proven system in place,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-esposito513/">Angela Esposito</a>, vice president of franchise development. “The risk of opening a business or starting a business with a Pet Wants franchise is obviously less risky than going on your own. It’s really a business in a box. You just have to put in the work and execute the steps that are laid out.”That clarity gives franchisees a roadmap from day one, allowing them to focus less on guesswork and more on execution.<h2>A Flexible Model Built for Different Lifestyles</h2><a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/is-a-storefront-required-how-pet-wants-gives-owners-flexibility-and-a-smarter-route-to-revenue-2731546">At the core of the Pet Wants model is flexibility</a>, not just in how the business operates, but in how it fits into an owner’s life.Rather than jumping straight into the complexity of running a retail store, franchisees begin by building their business through local events, delivery and community engagement. This phase allows owners to:<ul><li>Generate revenue early</li><li>Build a loyal customer base</li><li>Learn the business hands-on</li><li>Grow at their own pace</li></ul>“The great thing about our model is that it has two phases,” Esposito said. “In the mobile phase, there is a lot of flexibility because you are out in the market working events. That usually isn’t seven days a week. So they have flexibility during that phase to build the business in other ways, such as grassroots marketing and networking. They can really think outside of the box about how to grow the business, without worrying about the retail location.”When the time comes to expand, the transition to a storefront is strategic and manageable. “Once that retail location is open, they can hire staff and often have much more flexible hours,” she said.<h2>Lower Investment, Smarter Growth</h2><a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-pet-wants-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2722308">The mobile-first model also makes financial sense</a>. “Starting with mobile keeps the investment costs down in the beginning, and it is also a very low-entry point for a brick-and-mortar,” Esposito said. “Our investment range is one of the most affordable for a retail location, especially in the pet industry. Our competitors are often in the million-dollar range as far as investment.”That lower barrier to entry opens the door for a wider range of entrepreneurs, including first-time business owners who may not have the capital for a traditional retail concept.“It’s a low-overhead, low entry point investment,” she said. “Owning a business is an investment — it’s no different than investing in the stock market or real estate. You are going to have to pay for that.”Pet Wants franchisees are also entering one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/recession-resistant-pet-business-2728308">most resilient and rapidly growing industries in the U.S.</a>“The pet industry is one of the fastest-growing industries that there is,” Esposito said. “It’s among the top three to five franchise categories to own in 2026, one of the most compelling industries and a growing demand for professional services. The pet industry hit $128 billion this past year.”<h2>Built on Community and Purpose</h2>While the business model is strong, Pet Wants is equally focused on&nbsp;why its franchisees do what they do.“Community involvement is definitely a big part of the model as well,” Esposito said. “We want someone who wants to be part of their community and wants to change the lives of dogs and cats.”From farmers markets and other events to partnering with local businesses, franchisees are encouraged to become&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/franchise-with-community-at-its-core-pet-wants-local-focus-drives-purpose-and-impact-2729102">visible, trusted members of their communities</a> by building relationships that drive impact and revenue.These connections often lead to a more fulfilling day-to-day experience for owners. “As a business owner in general, your lifestyle is completely different from someone in corporate America,” she said. “It shifts from sitting in a cubicle all day to building a business and a brand that you love and are passionate about. They are going to be in the community, working with dogs and cats, and they are really going to enjoy a life full of passion-driven purpose.”<h2>Ongoing Support at Every Stage</h2>Even with a hard work ethic, strong model and industry tailwinds, success ultimately comes down to execution, and that’s where&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/investing-in-pet-wants-franchise-opportunity-2731087">Pet Wants’ support system</a> plays a critical role.“Our owners are supported from the time they start their franchise agreement all the way until the end of their agreement,” Esposito said. “We support them through onboarding, and have coaches focusing on nutrition, retail, marketing and grooming, there is a subject matter expert for every stage in their journey, whether that is year one or year seven.”From operational guidance to financial performance, franchisees have access to ongoing expertise designed to help them grow.“There is always someone there to help them solve problems, brainstorm, help with P&amp;L, increase profit,” she said. “That is why there really isn’t any experience necessary, we can teach you everything.”<h2>A Franchise Model That Grows With You</h2>From mobile beginnings to retail expansion, the Pet Wants franchise model gives owners room to grow at their own pace. For many franchisees, that is what turns the business into more than an investment: It becomes part of their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/3-keys-to-franchise-success-with-pet-wants-passion-support-and-hard-work-2731885#featured">lifestyle, community and passion for pet health</a>.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.

Photo of Pet Wants franchise owners at ribbon cutting

With a lower-cost entry point, room to grow and a model built around community, the brand gives entrepreneurs a practical way into business ownership.

How the Pet Wants Franchise Gives Entrepreneurs Room to Start Small and Grow

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Pet Wants Franchise Opportunity Feeding Pets and Passion

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Smart Business, Low Overhead: How Pet Wants Helps Franchisees Build Efficient and Profitable Operations

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While many pet retailers focus heavily on dogs,&nbsp;<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/">Pet Wants</a>, the boutique pet food and supplies franchise, is helping franchisees find a powerful growth opportunity by leaning into cat nutrition expertise. For franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/married-couple-find-perfect-collaboration-with-pet-wants-franchise-in-miamisburg-ohio-2726576">Jody Grant of Miamisburg, Ohio</a>, for example, that approach has created a thriving, often-overlooked segment of her business.“We have a very large cat owner customer base, and we have ever since we started the business,” Grant said. “There is a whole different cat community out there. Their animals are just as near and dear as the dog owners.”<h2>Building Sales Through Foundational Nutrition Education</h2>At the core of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">Pet Wants’</a> cat offering is&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/pet-wants-as-a-lifestyle-brand-building-a-franchise-around-pet-health-wellness-2730102">a simple but highly intentional nutritional philosophy</a> (the same applies to dogs): provide complete, high-quality formulas tailored to each life stage, while eliminating unnecessary fillers.“We try to duplicate the methodology that we use for dogs,” Grant said. “We have formulas for kittens through cats. They have everything cats need and keep out the things that cats don’t need.”That clarity makes it easier for franchisees to guide customers toward the right products and gives pet parents confidence in their purchasing decisions. Grant explains that the brand’s three core dry kibble formulas serve as the foundation of most feeding routines, with options that address different needs.“Besides the dry food, we also offer a grain-free option, for example. We call it our ‘couch potato cat’ formula,” she said. “The lean cat food helps in that regard and is as satisfying as the regular.”<h2>Expanding the Basket: Wet Food, Protein and Hydration</h2>Education doesn’t stop at kibble. In fact, one of the biggest opportunities for franchisees is helping customers understand the importance of moisture and protein in a cat’s diet, which often leads to additional product purchases.“Cats need moisture and don’t seek out water on their own,” Grant said. “Flowing water is very important. They are attracted to the sounds.” That conversation opens the door to complementary products like water fountains and feeding accessories, while reinforcing&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/the-power-of-personalization-how-custom-nutrition-plans-drive-business-success-at-pet-wants-2730218">Pet Wants’ position as a pet nutrition provider</a>.Grant also emphasizes protein as a key differentiator, especially for aging cats. “I have an older cat that is 15, and he was bottle-raised. He eats way more wet food than dry food because of the protein content,” she said. “He needs additional protein. This is very important to most cats.”These types of personalized insights not only help customers make better decisions but also deepen relationships and increase overall transaction value.<h2>Meeting Cats Where They Are: Variety and Personalization</h2>Cats are famously selective eaters, and Pet Wants franchisees use that challenge as an opportunity to showcase the breadth of their product line. “Cats are known for being finicky,” Grant said. “We sell a wide variety of cat treats. I sell a sushi line with flaked tuna for cats! You can put it over their meals. We also sell whole minnows or herring.”For cats that prefer other flavors, Pet Wants offers a diverse range of proteins, including chicken, turkey, lamb, rabbit and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petwantschesterfield.com/product/586961/28169648-Koha_Limited_Ingredient_Kangaroo_Entr_e_for_Cats">even kangaroo</a>. This level of customization allows franchisees to solve problems in real time, whether it’s a picky eater or a pet with dietary sensitivities, and keeps customers coming back for tailored solutions.<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/in-the-news/2023/07/28/how-pet-wants-is-changing-the-pet-food-industry-with-nutrition">Pet Wants’ product mix extends well beyond nutrition</a>, giving franchisees additional ways to engage customers and increase revenue per visit. “We even offer our own dry kibble treat. We have chew sticks and CBD products as well,” Grant said. “I also carry a homeopathic line of remedies.”These products are often introduced through consultative conversations, where franchisees recommend solutions based on specific behaviors or concerns.“A lot of the time, customers are looking for solutions just like dog owners,” Grant said. “Maybe a cat won’t come out from underneath the furniture, for example. If you give them feline oil, they’ll start to come out. That kind of advice is really valuable.”Ultimately, Grant says that expertise-led selling is about building a loyal customer base that fuels long-term growth. “Our cat-inclusive approach definitely helped drive sales for the business,” she said. “It just builds a larger community of pet owners and pet lovers.”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.

By understanding the unique dietary needs, behaviors and preferences of cats, Pet Wants owners can differentiate themselves in a crowded pet retail space.

How Cat Nutrition Expertise Helps Drive Sales for Pet Wants Franchisees

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<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/">Pet Wants</a>, the fast-growing pet wellness franchise, made two new hires to further its mission of simplifying pet nutrition and wellness for pet parents through the support of its franchise owners. The hires include&nbsp;<a href="http://linkedin.com/in/brittneyvalle">Brittney Valle</a> as director of grooming and&nbsp;<a href="http://linkedin.com/in/chapmanpetwants">Carrie Chapman&nbsp;</a>as director of retail operations. Valle is a nationally certified master groomer with 15 years of experience. Chapman is a former Pet Wants franchisee and 20-year Target retail veteran.“I’ve trained hundreds of groomers and I was in charge of the continuing education for groomers as well,” Valle said. “I have traveled nationally, teaching seminars, and in my last position, I helped grow one salon with two employees to seven salons across two states with over 60 employees.”&nbsp;<h2>Brittney Valle: Director of Grooming</h2>Valle has been in the dog industry her whole life. Growing up, her parents owned boarding kennels and grooming salons. She has been a nationally certified master groomer for 15 years, which includes work in competitive grooming.When she saw the Pet Wants job posting, it married two of her personal passions: grooming and dog wellness. She appreciated that Pet Wants’ mission is focused on the health and wellness of pets, and recognized that the position could help influence more groomers and more pets.&nbsp;Her day-to-day role will be split between working with the franchisees who currently offer grooming to support their operations and strategic planning for the future of grooming services.&nbsp;“One of the things that I'm really excited about is putting together an operations manual for the grooming salons,” Valle said. “It will include booking, scheduling, how long the pets should be in our care, preferred products to use based on my knowledge of coat and skin health — things like that. Really just helping the franchises understand that part of their business that a lot of people don't understand.”Year one priorities also include partnering with marketing to encourage more franchisees to add grooming services and to position grooming as a national offering.“The ones that I've had the opportunity to work with so far have been so open and coachable and excited to learn,” Valle said. “And for me, I'm really grateful because it's a unique opportunity for someone who's a subject matter expert like me to come in and have so many people just willing to absorb all the information I can give them. I'm passionate about helping them with their businesses.”<h2>Carrie Chapman: Director of Retail Operations</h2>Chapman’s retail career began at Target, where she started as a team member and spent 20 years moving through store, district and multi-state leadership roles. By the end of her time there, she oversaw 62 stores across five states and helped lead one of the largest remodel projects in the company’s history, which added food sections to roughly 800 stores.In 2016, Chapman and her husband decided to open a Pet Wants franchise, the first in Minnesota. They have been franchisees over the last 10 years and Chapman has been on the franchise advisory council as well, serving as the chair for the last three years. Although the couple is in the process of selling that location, Chapman wasn’t ready to be done with Pet Wants quite yet.&nbsp;“I love the brand,” she said. “I love helping pet parents. It's probably one of the most rewarding things I've done. The customer interactions you get, as far as when you help people, it's kind of life-changing. They come to you and tell you their story about how you changed their life.”&nbsp;Because Chapman wanted to stay part of Pet Wants, the director of retail operations role was the perfect way to do so, combining her strong retail background with her love for the brand. Chapman understands all components of retail, from customer profiles and revenue streams to differences between e-commerce and physical locations, and even event strategy.&nbsp;“I love helping owners think about it in a different way, what else can they be doing to drive their business?” she said. “And at the end of the day, how can they help their customers and help more pet parents make great decisions about the long-term health of their pets and their longevity? It’s all full circle. We get to make more money as a business owner, but then there’s the reward of what we're doing every single day and helping people.”Right now, Chapman’s position is focused on everything related to retail storefronts. This includes store layouts, fixtures and what a customer sees when they first walk in the door. She will help franchisees with educating customers about all the resources Pet Wants offers for pet health. She is also focused on training for franchisees.&nbsp;“I think we have an opportunity to bring the knowledge that we've learned along the way into a retail training environment,” Chapman said. “So, when an owner signs on and they're a mobile entity, and they're out working in their community and doing events, how do they set up their booth in the best way, for example.”<h2>How These New Hires Will Strengthen the Pet Wants Brand</h2>By bringing Brittney Valle and Carrie Chapman onto the team, Pet Wants is adding more direct support in two important areas of the business: grooming and retail. Their experience provides franchise owners with practical guidance for their day-to-day operations.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.

Pet Wants Adds Grooming and Retail Leaders to Expand Franchisee Support

A former Target retail leader and a nationally certified master groomer are joining Pet Wants to help strengthen retail operations, grooming support, and franchisee training.

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Meet the New Scalable Franchise Model from Pet Wants

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