Why This Former Veterinarian and Life-Long Animal Lover Invested in a Pet Wants Franchise

Pet Wants, 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. Last year, Pet Wants sold 47 new franchise locations as the concept continued to appeal to business-savvy entrepreneurs and animal lovers who were looking to enter the booming pet food market. Travis Hyde, the first Pet Wants franchisee in Idaho, is one of those passionate entrepreneurs.

Hyde was a lover of animals long before investing in Pet Wants, growing up working in his grandfather’s veterinary clinic and spending time with the race horses and hunting dogs that his family bred. After high school, Hyde became a veterinarian before leaving to serve in the military. When he came home, he started a 20-year career in child nutrition, working as an operations manager for a nutrition company that held state contracts for all the schools in his community. 

“I’ve maintained a passion for animals my whole life,” said Hyde. “I am an avid hunter and outdoorsman, and I have 10 dogs that I hunt with. When one of my dogs started having skin issues, I was struggling to find the right food and diet that would help her. That is when I came across Pet Wants about a year ago.” 

Pet Wants prides itself on pet food made with fresh, natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins and minerals, free from potentially harmful fillers, bad ingredient choices and animal byproducts that make other pet foods bad for four-legged friends. With Pet Wants, pet owners get all the benefits of fresh, nutrient-dense food and the convenience of home delivery — without any of the hassles. Offering free customized nutrition consultations is another component that sets the brand apart and positions them as a primary resource in animal health and wellness, second only to the vet.

After ordering products online and falling in love with the brand as a consumer, Hyde says he recognized there wasn’t a Pet Wants location in his area of Meridian, Idaho. 

“I jokingly made the comment to my wife Rosie that I should quit my job and open a Pet Wants,” he said. “We were going through a transition at my work during that time, and I was getting burned out. I worked 94 hours one week, and I remember making the comment to a peer: ‘If I am going to work these kinds of hours, I am going to do it for myself.’ Sure enough, around that time, Pet Wants popped up online again, and I learned more about the franchise.”

As Hyde began looking into the franchise and talking with the corporate team, he said he was drawn to the business model and, most importantly, the product. 

“I am a motivated person and like to work, but I didn’t really have the business knowledge to start something from scratch,” he said. “What really appealed to me most about Pet Wants was the product. I am not a salesman, but you don’t have to be because the product really sells itself.”

Hyde officially signed on and opened his Pet Wants location — the first one in the state of Idaho — in January 2022. 

“So far, the business has been awesome,” said Hyde. “My biggest challenge in the beginning stages of this was putting the product out in front of people. I sold $300 in product on my first day and was so happy. The product is universally in-demand.”

To help spread the word in his area, Hyde says he has been happy to participate in several local marketing events, including everything from car shows to carnivals, which is something the Pet Wants team encourages across its franchise network. This local networking strategy has proven to be a great way to build brand recognition in the community.

“I am a very goal-oriented person, and during my first event, I said I wanted to make $800,” said Hyde. “As the event was closing and everyone was funneling out, I saw that I was just $53 short of my goal. I always bring everything back to my faith, so I silently said a prayer, and right then a lady walked up and bought exactly $53 worth of product. That is a true story. I knew right there this would be a successful business.”

While growth is strong, Hyde says what he enjoys most about Pet Wants franchise ownership is the joy he has been able to bring to his community. 

“These are people who are buying products for their beloved pets, and it is really helping with their nutrition and health,” he said. “I very rarely run into a customer who isn’t smiling from ear-to-ear. It is the most positive environment, and being able to be a part of it every day is such a blessing.”

Looking ahead, Hyde says he hopes to continue growing his business in the Meridian area and hopes to one day open a brick-and-mortar location and bring his wife into the business full-time. 

Now with plans to have over 200 units open by 2024 and a goal of signing 60 new locations in 2022, Pet Wants is seeking qualified, passionate franchisees like Hyde in markets across the U.S., starting with Texas, Florida, Utah, California and the Pacific Northwest.

“This is an opportunity that is primed to succeed anywhere we take it,” said Paul Kamm, vice president of operations. “That has been proven time and again with each new franchise launch, and moreover by the demand we are seeing in markets where we haven’t even set up shop yet. The model has been perfected. Now, it’s just a matter of finding talented partners who share our passion for pet health to introduce Pet Wants to their communities.”

The total investment estimate to begin operations on a new Pet Wants franchise ranges from $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: https://petwantsfranchise.com/