Frequently Asked Questions
About Pet Wants
Pet Wants is a premium pet food and wellness franchise founded in 2010. The brand produces private-label pet food made from fresh, whole ingredients, slow-cooked in small batches with no by-products, and manufactured in the USA. With 160+ locations across the country, Pet Wants has established a strong position in the rapidly growing premium pet nutrition segment.
Most commercial pet foods are manufactured months before they reach the consumer, sitting in warehouses or on store shelves for extended periods. Pet Wants food is made in small batches, shipped fresh directly to franchisees, and never pre-packaged for mass retail. The result is a more nutritious, better-tasting product — at a price comparable to other premium brands.
Pet Wants franchises offer three primary revenue streams: premium private-label pet food (with no by-products), a direct-to-door delivery service with auto-enrollment options, and professional dog grooming services. The combination of recurring delivery revenue and in-store/grooming traffic creates multiple ways to build customer relationships and generate income.
The U.S. pet products industry is valued at approximately $124 billion, with Americans spending over $50 billion annually on pet food and treats alone. Roughly 70% of Americans own pets, and a growing segment of those owners are seeking fresher, higher-quality nutrition — the exact market Pet Wants serves.
The Business Model
Pet Wants uses a two-phase model designed to reduce startup risk and build toward long-term profitability. Phase 1 is a mobile/delivery-based operation that allows franchisees to build a customer base and local brand presence with low overhead. Phase 2 transitions to a retail storefront once the franchisee has established a foundation of customers, revenue, and community relationships.
No. The Phase 1 mobile model is intentionally designed so franchisees can launch quickly, build a clientele, and plan their retail expansion on a realistic timeline. Many franchisees use the mobile phase to fund and inform their storefront decisions rather than taking on retail overhead before they're ready.
Not necessarily. Because customer satisfaction — not foot traffic — drives repeat visits and referrals, many Pet Wants stores operate successfully without premium retail locations. Grooming clients and a loyal delivery subscriber base generate consistent revenue independent of walk-in traffic, which helps keep occupancy costs lower than traditional pet retail.
All Pet Wants pet food is manufactured in a U.S.-based facility using proprietary private-label formulas. Food is produced in small batches and shipped directly to franchisees — not pre-packaged or warehoused through a third party. This ensures freshness and gives franchisees exclusive access to products their customers can't buy elsewhere.
Investments & Financials
The total initial investment ranges from $148,150 to $239,400, which includes the franchise fee of $53,500. Pet Wants is positioned as one of the lower-cost retail franchise opportunities in the pet industry, particularly compared to larger pet chain concepts.
Prospective franchisees need a minimum of $50,000 in liquid capital to be considered. Beyond liquidity, Pet Wants looks for candidates who demonstrate the drive, work ethic, and passion for pets that correlate with long-term success in the system.
Pet Wants does not offer direct financing, but has established relationships with third-party financial partners who work with franchise candidates. The brand actively helps qualified candidates explore options including traditional business loans, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), and 401(k) rollover strategies (ROBS). Financing conversations typically begin once a candidate has demonstrated strong mutual fit.
Yes. Pet Wants offers a 10% discount on the franchise fee for honorably discharged veterans through its participation in the VetFran program. The skills veterans develop — leadership, adaptability, discipline, and systems-thinking — translate directly to franchise ownership success.
The Winner's Circle is a performance-based incentive that reimburses franchisees their full franchise fee when they hit specific benchmarks within a four-year period. It's the brand's way of demonstrating confidence in its own model — and creating a real financial upside for franchisees who execute the system with commitment.
Support & Training
Pet Wants provides a comprehensive training curriculum that covers both business operations and pet nutrition expertise. Franchisees are equipped to speak knowledgeably about ingredients, dietary needs, and product selection — building the credibility that differentiates Pet Wants owners from typical retail clerks.
The Pet Wants support team provides a full range of marketing assets, including digital and print collateral (business cards, brochures, signage, vehicle wraps), social media content, and search engine optimization assistance. Franchisees also receive a proprietary, customized website designed to generate leads, plus tools for public event marketing to build local brand awareness.
Franchisees have access to point-of-sale and inventory management systems, a customer relationship management (CRM) platform, store branding and design guidelines, and pre-launch and grand opening support. The goal is to give owners a complete operational infrastructure so they can focus on customers and community — not building systems from scratch.
Yes. Pet Wants grants franchisees exclusive, protected territories, which means no other Pet Wants franchise can operate in your designated area. This provides a stable foundation for building customer loyalty and a local brand presence without internal competition.
Franchisee Profile & Fit
No prior pet industry experience is required. Pet Wants franchisees come from a wide range of professional backgrounds — including healthcare, corporate management, teaching, and military service. What matters most is a genuine passion for pets, the ability to follow a proven system, and the willingness to engage actively in your community.
Yes. The two-phase model, comprehensive training, and ongoing operational support are specifically designed to give first-time business owners a realistic, structured path to profitability. The mobile Phase 1 reduces initial risk, and the support team provides the frameworks candidates need to build toward a successful retail operation.
Absolutely. Many Pet Wants franchise owners operate alongside a spouse or family partner. The flexible structure of the model — especially in the mobile phase — makes it well-suited for a family team where one partner may carry primary day-to-day responsibility while the other contributes part-time.
Success in the Pet Wants system correlates with three core qualities: a genuine passion for pets and their wellbeing, the discipline to follow a proven operational playbook, and a commitment to showing up consistently and building real relationships in the community. Prior business ownership is a plus but not a prerequisite.
The Process
The process typically begins with a no-pressure introductory call with the Pet Wants franchise development team. From there, qualified candidates receive the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), complete validation calls with existing franchisees, and attend a Discovery Day to meet the corporate team in person. The full process is designed to help both parties confirm a strong mutual fit before any commitment is made.
Timeline varies by candidate and market, but the mobile Phase 1 model is designed for faster launch than traditional retail concepts — there's no lease negotiation or build-out required in the initial phase. Most franchisees can be up and operating in their market more quickly than a comparable storefront-first concept would allow.
Pet Wants is actively expanding across the U.S. Territory availability varies by market. Prospective franchisees should contact the development team to confirm open markets in their region.
Note: Franchise offers can only be made in states where Pet Wants is registered or exempt from registration requirements.
The Brand & Industry
Pet Wants has 160+ locations across the United States, including both retail storefronts and mobile/delivery operations. The system closed out 2025 with 60+ retail stores open and reported double-digit growth year-over-year.
Yes. Pet Wants is part of a multi-brand franchise portfolio, which provides access to shared resources, operational infrastructure, and franchise development support across the organization.
Yes. Pet Wants has been ranked on Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500, is a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA), and participates in the VetFran program supporting military veteran franchisees.
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