Pet Wants Announces Walter Lacey as New VP of Franchise Development, Brand Poised for Unprecedented Growth

Pet Wants, a leader in the fresh pet food industry, is excited to announce the hiring of Walter Lacey as the new Vice President of Franchise Development. Lacey, who brings over 12 years of franchising experience, including managing franchise locations, working as a consultant for multi-unit owners and investment groups, and leading franchise sales for health and wellness brands, will play a crucial role in expanding Pet Wants presence in the United States.

"I'm thrilled to join the Pet Wants team and help make entrepreneurs' dreams a reality," said Lacey. "I’ve been in franchising long enough to know it can be very overwhelming for those new to the industry. There are so many options to choose from, navigating between quick service restaurants, beauty, fitness, big box retail, hotels and hospitality, gas stations, the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, a large percentage of opportunities require a significant investment to get started. It often feels like a trade off when looking for the perfect fit. You may find something that you love and are extremely passionate about, but it doesn’t drive the kind of revenue you’re looking for, or you find something that drives incredible revenue, but it’s not exactly what you envisioned yourself doing as a franchisee. The reality is we care about our people first and the business second. Pet Wants offers an opportunity for franchisees to connect with the community, make a difference in people’s lives, build long lasting relationships, and is downright fun to be a part of. Pair that fun and excitement with incredible gross revenue without heavy start-up costs, expensive leases, and heavy staffing requirements and you have a recipe that creates fulfilled franchisees!”

Lacey was initially drawn to Pet Wants because of its low cost of entry, impressive results, and dedication to providing fresh, high-quality pet food to consumers without cheap fillers such as corn, wheat, sugar, soy, animal byproducts, and artificial coloring. As a lover of pets and an owner of 3 Great Danes over the past 10 years, Lacey understands the importance nutrition plays for pet owners looking to maximize the longevity and quality of life for their furry family!  

Pet Wants is the only national provider of pet food freshly delivered to customers and offers a unique franchise opportunity in the rapidly growing pet food segment. With a commitment to the health and wellness of pets, Pet Wants prides itself on using fresh, natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins and minerals.

“Coming from the health and wellness industry and understanding the correlation between proper nutrition and maximum results in the gym, it was easy for me to make the same connection to the pet care industry and the impact proper nutrition has on our fury family members! At Pet Wants, we have the freshest kibble on the market! Made to order in small batches, we ensure your pets’ food will never be flash cooked at extremely hot temperatures leading to diminished nutrition, nor will it sit on a warehouse shelf for months on end while consistently losing nutritional value. Unfortunately, both methods are very common in the mass-produced value pet food industry.  

Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pet Wants has doubled its gross revenue from 2019 to 2023, Lacey notes, proving the demand for fresher food in every community. Currently boasting over 100 franchisees in 140+ markets, the brand has set ambitious goals of reaching a store count of 300 to 500 in the coming years. 

As VP of Franchise Development, Lacey will lead a team of representatives focused on helping potential franchisees find the right fit, ensuring the right processes are in place, and setting the brand up for success. 

At the end of the day, Lacey says his enthusiasm for the pet industry isn’t just professional — it is also personal, as he credits his own dog with helping him through the challenges of the pandemic and improving his mental health. Lacey is excited to bring his passion for the pet industry to his role at Pet Wants.

“When we think about the future, we want to partner with passionate business-savvy individuals who are embarking on their venture of career independence. We also specialize in working with multi-unit franchisees in other industries who are looking to diversify their portfolio in a booming vertical.” 

“As we continue growing our brand, territories are going to become more limited. For those considering franchising with us, now is a great time to get started before the boat sets sail without you.” said Lacey

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

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 enhanced 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 and has created the ultimate convenience with free, personal delivery through their 90+ 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.