Over the past decade, the amount of money Americans spend on pets has more than doubled, and pet food and treats make up the biggest portion of the national pet food market at $42 billion annually. With pet health and nutrition increasingly being prioritized among families across the country, many successful entrepreneurs are recognizing the strength of the burgeoning pet industry. 

Pet Wants, for example, the pioneering franchise in the pet nutrition sector, has seen several entrepreneurs come from what was once perhaps the most popular segment within the franchise world: the restaurant industry. 

Troy and Jennifer Post, the Nebraska-based duo with nearly three decades of franchising experience in the pizza industry, are one such example. Their franchising journey with Papa John's, spanning over 25 years and encompassing 11 locations, laid a strong foundation for their foray into pet nutrition. 

"It was a phenomenal journey,” said Troy. “But we wanted a change — something different. Right away, as dedicated pet parents, the pet sector was where our hearts were pointing.” 

This sentiment was further amplified by a personal tragedy: the loss of their beloved dog, Sadie. This event, according to Jennifer, was a turning point, highlighting the importance of pet health and nutrition. “I genuinely believe that if we had known about Pet Wants food back then, Sadie might still be with us," she said. 

As the Posts started researching brands in the pet food space, Pet Wants was a name that stood out to them, both as consumers and as prospective franchise owners. “Our conviction was confirmed when we ordered some of their food for our dogs — they loved it and their skin improved dramatically too,” said Troy. “Their offerings are probably some of the best food out there.”

Now, in addition to a meaningful community offering, the Posts see a significant business opportunity in Pet Wants, planning to open three retail locations within the next five years in their area of Lincoln. Troy says Pet Wants will certainly be a new adventure coming from the pizza world, but many of the couple’s core franchising principles have stayed the same. 

“You have to be passionate in what you are selling — that is the only way you can expand to multiple units and be successful,” said Troy. “That is why we are excited to see where the future leads and we know it will be a great fit. We're thrilled to be a part of the Pet Wants family. This is just the beginning.”

Meanwhile, in the Houston metro area, the father-and-son duo of Eduardo and Josue Ventura have embarked on a similar journey with Pet Wants. 

Growing up within the franchise space, the Venturas are no strangers to business ownership. Eduardo grew up watching his father own and operate 10 Domino's locations and eventually went on to work in every role of the organization. From there, Eduardo went on to manage his own store and later became the district manager over multiple Domino's locations. 

Josue wanted his son to do something he was passionate about and grow his own franchise empire similar to what he had done with Dominos. Their decision to join the Pet Wants family was influenced by the brand’s commitment to providing fresh, nutritious pet food and its strong community connection.

“I am a pet owner myself, and one day while in our local pet store, I started thinking this could be a great industry to get into,” said Eduardo. “We got a gift basket of the Pet Wants products, and we saw the vision. If our dogs loved the products so much, we knew that dogs around the Houston area would love it as well.”

DeNita Carani, Brand President of Pet Wants, praised the Venturas' and the Posts’ addition to the network, emphasizing their passion for pet nutrition and community engagement. 

“What stands out in both these stories is the emphasis on passion and community service as the driving force behind the transition from food service to pet nutrition,” said Carani. “Both the Posts and the Venturas recognized the growing demand for high-quality pet food and saw an opportunity to make a difference in their communities while also expanding their business portfolios.”

Pet Wants seeks experienced and passionate franchisees like the Posts and Venturas in markets across the U.S., targeting Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kansas, Missouri, Idaho, Texas and Arizona. The franchise offers a flexible and scalable business model, coupled with extensive training and support, allowing franchisees to thrive and make a meaningful impact in their communities.

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