Interested in pet franchises? If you're an animal lover, it's the perfect way to start a business. We discuss things to consider before buying pet franchises, and we highlight a few pet franchises that we think are interesting.
Americans love their pets, and they are willing to spend big money to keep them healthy and happy.
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Pet products and related services is a $31+ billion industry in the U.S. That’s a lot of money, but not unreasonable for a country in which pets outnumber people.
In response to the public’s incredible demand for pet products, industrious entrepreneurs have launched a variety of small businesses to serve pets and their owners. The types of products and services these businesses offer varies greatly, ranging from pet food & supplies, pet training – even pet spa treatments! If a pet owner can imagine it, chances are there is a franchise out there that is willing to provide it for a price.
As in many other franchising industries, specialization is the key to success for many pet franchises success. Although there are a fair number of franchisors offering opportunities in general pet products, there are many more who have earned their profit by identifying and meeting a specific marketplace need.
For instance, the idea for Just Dogs Gourmet came a few years ago when a new dog owner realized that the treats she bought for her new best friend all contained high levels of preservatives and other chemical ingredients. Having prided herself on feeding her kids healthy food, the company’s founder thought she should be able to do the same for her pet. From this simple idea, Just Dogs Gourmet was born. In only a few short years, the company has experienced significant growth and now offers opportunities in gourmet pet food to franchisees throughout the U.S.
Points to Consider
In addition to the financial requirements for franchise ownership in the pet industry, there is one other important prerequisite – a genuine love of pets and animals. If you don’t think of yourself as a pet person, you probably won’t enjoy owning a franchise in this industry.
Some pet franchises (e.g. in-home dog training) don’t require store space and can be operated out of your home. This can greatly reduce your startup costs and make the transition to franchise ownership a little easier.
Franchise Opportunities
Just Dogs Gourmet. Just Dogs Gourmet sells gourmet treats and confections for an exclusively canine clientele. Only a few years old, the company has 20+ locations in the U.S.
Petland. For almost 40 years, Petland has been selling pets and pet-related products to the owners of fish, birds, cats, dogs, reptiles, and other small animals. In 2005, the company reported approximately 175 locations in the U.S. and other countries.
Bark Busters Home Dog Training. Bark Busters helps homeowners train their dogs in their own homes. Founded in Australia, the company has expanded its franchises to the U.S. and the U.K. they have 154 U.S. franchises and 78 international locations.
Wild Birds Unlimited. Although not technically a pet franchise, Wild Birds Unlimited sells its products to animal-lovers, specifically those who fancy wild birds. They are the first and largest franchise system of retail stores catering to the backyard bird feeding hobbyist. Currently, the company has more than 300 franchise locations in North America.
Want to Learn about Franchise Opportunities?
Browse tons of franchise opportunities in the Gaebler Ventures franchise directory:
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