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Pets play a major role in Americans’ lives. Nearly 87 million U.S. households have pets, with dogs being the most common. In 2022, Americans spent $136.8 billion on their pets, and as pets become even more important pieces of families’ lives, that number will only continue to climb.

For entrepreneurs, this presents a great opportunity. Pets need food, supplies, training, medicine, grooming, toys and other care, and their owners are willing to pay for those things. Getting into the business with a franchise can decrease risk and provide even those with no prior industry experience a clear pathway to success. Choosing an established franchise, which has been around for a while or has a strong national presence, further bolsters that success.

Here are 15 of the best established pet franchises to consider investing in this year:

Pet Wants 

Pet Wants operates on a unique business model that allows franchisees to launch with a mobile-first approach before growing into a retail storefront later on. With high-quality, nutrient-dense pet food, Pet Wants caters to owners who are especially invested in the health and wellness of their animals.

Pet Supplies Plus

Pet Supplies Plus operates on a large-format, supermarket-style retail model that’s meant to serve as the go-to neighborhood pet store. With natural foods, toys, apparel and pet-related services, Pet Supplies Plus has a comprehensive list of offerings, all within the feeling of a locally-owned store.

Wild Birds Unlimited

Wild Birds Unlimited is a highly specialized retail concept catering to passionate hobbyists and backyard birders. With a curated selection of high-quality feed, feeders, bird baths and other nature-centric items, the expertise and specialization of the teams serve as key differentiators.

Fetch! Pet Care

Fetch! Pet Care is a home-based franchise providing pet sitting and dog walking services. Franchisees are encouraged to build a team of qualified providers, meaning they can focus their energy on managing teams and growing the business rather than completing day-to-day business tasks.

Petland

Petland is a retail pet center, but its key differentiator is the sale of pets in-store. The in-store experience is driven by “Pet Counselors” who aim to match prospective owners with the right pet for their lifestyle and provide support regarding the specific animal’s behavioral, environmental and nutritional needs.

Woof Gang Bakery

Woof Gang Bakery is a boutique concept that blends professional grooming services with a high-end retail experience. The brand is designed to feel like a high-end neighborhood bakery, offering gourmet dog treats alongside premium toys and accessories.

Camp Bow Wow

Camp Bow Wow is an all-inclusive dog care franchise offering day care, overnight boarding, grooming and training services. Its philosophy is centered around providing a safe, engaging environment for the dogs it cares for, which is crucial to building trust with pet parents over time.

Hounds Town USA

Hounds Town USA offers interactive dog day care, boarding and spa services. With specially trained teams, the brand is uniquely equipped to properly manage the dogs they engage with in a way that prioritizes safety and considers their social, mental and psychological needs.

Central Bark

Central Bark provides dog daycare and boarding services meant to address and care for the “whole dog.” As such, it goes beyond “dogsitting” to provide enrichment-focused doggy day care, using the latest canine behavioral science to provide a well-balanced day for each dog.

Wag N’ Wash

Wag N’ Wash provides comprehensive pet care. The business model includes professional full-service grooming, self-serve pet wash stations, gourmet pet treats and a retail segment. A fun, one-stop shop, Wag N’ Wash stands out in the market and positions franchisees to capture multiple streams of revenue.

Bark Busters

Bark Busters is a home-based dog training model providing in-home dog training. Franchisees are generally owner-operators who travel to clients’ homes for one-on-one sessions. This model allows for lower start-up and overhead costs, and meeting in the home allows trainers to address behavioral issues in the environment where they most often occur.

Scenthound

Scenthound offers a new take on pet grooming, focusing on hygiene and wellness rather than style and aesthetics. The brand offers a membership model, which encourages steady, predictable revenue for franchisees while encouraging pet owners to have their pets bathed and get their ears cleaned, nails trimmed and teeth brushed on a regular basis.

EarthWise Pet

EarthWise Pet is a retail concept providing all-natural, holistic pet wellness foods and services, including grooming, self-wash stations and nutrition consulting. With specialized staff, EarthWise Pet owners build authority in their markets and can forge strong, lasting relationships with consumers.

Sit Means Sit

Sit Means Sit is a dog training franchise that prioritizes the relationship and communication between the dog and its owner. With a mobile model, franchisees travel to meet clients and their pets where they spend most time to build appropriate behaviors in everyday contexts. The mobile model also lends itself to greater flexibility and lower initial and ongoing costs.

Scoop Soldiers

Scoop Soldiers is a mobile pet waste removal franchise, serving both residential and commercial properties. By isolating a single, high-demand and recurring need within the pet care space, the brand has built a stable, scalable model.

The pet industry’s continued growth creates fertile ground for entrepreneurs, and the pathways to entry are diverse, meaning there’s a franchise opportunity for everyone. Whether your passion lies in wellness, training or retail, there is a proven business model to fit a range of investment models and personal interests

For more information on pet-related franchise opportunities, check out these related stories on 1851:

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Morgan Wood

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Morgan Wood

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