As pet parents become more engaged with their animals' health and wellness, the industry serving them is becoming more specialized, too. For entrepreneurs entering the pet space, that creates both an opportunity and a challenge. Trying to serve every type of pet owner with every possible product can make it difficult for a new business to establish what it actually does differently.
At Pet Wants, the answer is specialization.
“We don’t try to be all things to all pet customers,” said Kevin Dugan, vice president of marketing. “We only cater to cats and dogs, for starters, and we focus on pet wellness. You aren’t going to find anything in our stores that isn’t focused on pet wellness.”
That focus gives Pet Wants franchisees a defined niche in a massive industry. Rather than attempting to compete with big-box retailers on sheer selection, owners can build businesses around nutrition, wellness, education and personal relationships with the pet parents in their communities.
Pet Wants has long differentiated itself through its approach to pet nutrition. The brand offers proprietary dog and cat food formulas made with high-quality ingredients and prepared in small batches at low temperatures. Pet Wants produces food every six to eight weeks, helping it maintain its emphasis on freshness.
The brand has also continued to expand its wellness offerings as consumer preferences evolve. That has included freeze-dried raw dog food in beef and chicken recipes and plans to expand further into private-label supplements designed to address specific pet needs.
But Dugan says Pet Wants’ niche goes beyond what is sitting on the shelf. “We are uncovering what is already there and acknowledging the fact that we aren’t just selling products — we are solving problems,” he said. “We are creating relationships that pet parents don’t get everywhere.”
Instead of simply operating a retail store, Pet Wants owners are encouraged to become resources for local pet parents. Customers might come in with questions about what their dog is eating, sensitivities, allergies, treats or other wellness concerns. Franchisees and their teams can then talk through the pet's needs and help customers navigate the available options.
That personalized experience is difficult to replicate through an online retailer or the aisle of a big-box store.
“The owners who have been successful here are the ones who are passionate about improving the lives of pets in their community,” said Peter Eberly, vice president of brand development. “If you think of that main-street, boutique feel, the pet and the pet owners come to learn about what might make their dog or cat healthier. There is a personal relationship component to the brick-and-mortar piece.”
Having a niche is only valuable if franchisees have the knowledge and resources to deliver on it. That is why education is an important part of the Pet Wants franchise model.
“Education is definitely a part of our niche, and we offer training and support to help our franchisees focus on that,” Dugan said. “We have product training, grooming training and marketing training. It’s about giving owners the training and tools they need to help educate other pet parents.”
That support can also include marketing materials and visuals designed to make complicated concepts easier for customers to understand.
Pet nutrition can quickly become technical, particularly when customers are comparing ingredients, feeding approaches and products designed for different needs. Pet Wants aims to give franchisees the tools to turn that information into useful, approachable conversations.
“Our owners go through a lot of training to learn about the proper nutrition that is ideal for our animals,” said Jeff Rachu, Pet Wants’ director of nutrition programs. “You can’t recommend anything to pets unless you have an understanding of the entire picture of pet nutrition. It is about asking the right questions and knowing the right answers.”
That educational approach gives franchisees another way to differentiate themselves. Customers can buy pet food from countless places. Pet Wants wants customers to return because they value the relationship and knowledge they find there.
As the pet industry continues to expand, specialization gives entrepreneurs a way to carve out a recognizable position within a much larger market.
For Pet Wants, that means making deliberate choices about what belongs in the brand and what doesn't. It means focusing on dogs and cats. It means prioritizing health and wellness. And it means giving franchisees the education and tools to build relationships rather than simply sell products.
“It’s important for franchisees, employees and customers to understand why we are different,” Dugan said.
That clarity can be particularly valuable in an industry where consumers have more options than ever.
Pet Wants franchisees don't have to be everything to every pet owner. Instead, they can focus on becoming something much more specific: a trusted local resource for dog and cat owners who care about nutrition, wellness and helping their pets live healthier lives.
Ready to build a business rooted in purpose, passion and pet health and wellness? Visit https://1851franchise.com/petwants to learn more about franchising with Pet Wants.
Pet Wants
SPONSORED
Pet Wants helps franchisees stand out by focusing on pet wellness, education and relationships as pet parents seek specialized products and personalized guidance.
As pet parents become more engaged with their animals' health and wellness, the industry serving them is becoming more specialized, too. For entrepreneurs entering the pet space, that creates both an opportunity and a challenge. Trying to serve every type of pet owner with every possible product can make it difficult for a new business to establish what it actually does differently.
At Pet Wants, the answer is specialization.
“We don’t try to be all things to all pet customers,” said Kevin Dugan, vice president of marketing. “We only cater to cats and dogs, for starters, and we focus on pet wellness. You aren’t going to find anything in our stores that isn’t focused on pet wellness.”
That focus gives Pet Wants franchisees a defined niche in a massive industry. Rather than attempting to compete with big-box retailers on sheer selection, owners can build businesses around nutrition, wellness, education and personal relationships with the pet parents in their communities.
Pet Wants has long differentiated itself through its approach to pet nutrition. The brand offers proprietary dog and cat food formulas made with high-quality ingredients and prepared in small batches at low temperatures. Pet Wants produces food every six to eight weeks, helping it maintain its emphasis on freshness.
The brand has also continued to expand its wellness offerings as consumer preferences evolve. That has included freeze-dried raw dog food in beef and chicken recipes and plans to expand further into private-label supplements designed to address specific pet needs.
But Dugan says Pet Wants’ niche goes beyond what is sitting on the shelf. “We are uncovering what is already there and acknowledging the fact that we aren’t just selling products — we are solving problems,” he said. “We are creating relationships that pet parents don’t get everywhere.”
Instead of simply operating a retail store, Pet Wants owners are encouraged to become resources for local pet parents. Customers might come in with questions about what their dog is eating, sensitivities, allergies, treats or other wellness concerns. Franchisees and their teams can then talk through the pet's needs and help customers navigate the available options.
That personalized experience is difficult to replicate through an online retailer or the aisle of a big-box store.
“The owners who have been successful here are the ones who are passionate about improving the lives of pets in their community,” said Peter Eberly, vice president of brand development. “If you think of that main-street, boutique feel, the pet and the pet owners come to learn about what might make their dog or cat healthier. There is a personal relationship component to the brick-and-mortar piece.”
Having a niche is only valuable if franchisees have the knowledge and resources to deliver on it. That is why education is an important part of the Pet Wants franchise model.
“Education is definitely a part of our niche, and we offer training and support to help our franchisees focus on that,” Dugan said. “We have product training, grooming training and marketing training. It’s about giving owners the training and tools they need to help educate other pet parents.”
That support can also include marketing materials and visuals designed to make complicated concepts easier for customers to understand.
Pet nutrition can quickly become technical, particularly when customers are comparing ingredients, feeding approaches and products designed for different needs. Pet Wants aims to give franchisees the tools to turn that information into useful, approachable conversations.
“Our owners go through a lot of training to learn about the proper nutrition that is ideal for our animals,” said Jeff Rachu, Pet Wants’ director of nutrition programs. “You can’t recommend anything to pets unless you have an understanding of the entire picture of pet nutrition. It is about asking the right questions and knowing the right answers.”
That educational approach gives franchisees another way to differentiate themselves. Customers can buy pet food from countless places. Pet Wants wants customers to return because they value the relationship and knowledge they find there.
As the pet industry continues to expand, specialization gives entrepreneurs a way to carve out a recognizable position within a much larger market.
For Pet Wants, that means making deliberate choices about what belongs in the brand and what doesn't. It means focusing on dogs and cats. It means prioritizing health and wellness. And it means giving franchisees the education and tools to build relationships rather than simply sell products.
“It’s important for franchisees, employees and customers to understand why we are different,” Dugan said.
That clarity can be particularly valuable in an industry where consumers have more options than ever.
Pet Wants franchisees don't have to be everything to every pet owner. Instead, they can focus on becoming something much more specific: a trusted local resource for dog and cat owners who care about nutrition, wellness and helping their pets live healthier lives.
Ready to build a business rooted in purpose, passion and pet health and wellness? Visit https://1851franchise.com/petwants to learn more about franchising with Pet Wants.
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