The Top Five Reasons to Become a Ben’s Barketplace Franchise Owner

It’s no secret that demand in the pet care industry is at an all-time high. According to the American Pet Products Association, consumers across the country spent an estimated $62.75 billion on pet care in 2016 alone. And with 65 percent of U.S. households owning a pet, that number is expected to continue climbing in the years to come.

The rising demand for top quality pet care is exactly why Ben’s Barketplace decided to break into the franchising industry. The leading concept is out on a mission to set a new standard for pet health—by taking an individualized approach to determining each pet’s unique needs, Ben’s Barketplace is able to enhance dogs and cats’ lives. And have entrepreneurs who share that passion for pet care are taking note.

With plans to launch its first franchise locations in 2017 in key target development markets across the West Coast, Ben’s Barketplace is gearing up to take its proven system to the next level. But demand for its services is far from the only factor fueling its upcoming expansion initiatives—the brand is backed by a long list of competitive advantages including more than $1.3 million in annual sales in 2016 and a 15% year over year growth for the past 3 years. Here are the top five reasons to become a Ben’s Barketplace franchisee.

Ben’s Barketplace is much more than your traditional pet food store. Instead of stocking its shelves with generic dry food that’s meant to fit every dog or cat, the brand puts the health of individual dogs and cats above everything else. That means conducting consultations with every pet parent that walks through its doors, and helping these owners determine the best diet, including raw food recommendations for their four-legged friends.

“It’s not rocket science. A dog is a dog and a cat is a cat. Their diets are remarkably similar and easy to understand if you know what to look for.

Duplicating our consultation skills is the key component to our brand and easily achieved,” said Brad Romero, co-founder of Ben’s Barketplace. Being a previous state law enforcement K9 trainer and handler, he knows what it takes for these animals to achieve their ultimate health through nutrition. By taking a nutrition-based approach to pet care, Ben’s Barketplace is innovating within the industry.

Not only is that helping the brand stand out among consumers, it’s also a major point of differentiation for potential business owners.

Because Ben’s Barketplace is at the beginning of its franchising journey, there’s unlimited room for entrepreneurs to grow alongside the brand. Based in California, Ben’s Barketplace is gearing up to launch locations across key markets on the West Coast, ultimately enabling its franchisees to select the territories in which they would like to operate. That type of flexibility in terms of geography is rare to find in the franchising industry.

That hands-on approach to franchising is something that Romero intends to uphold across Ben’s Barketplace’s entire system as it expands. The brand has a corporate support team in place that will guide its owners throughout the entire grand opening process, from comprehensive and ongoing training to lines of communication that are always open. And because Ben’s Barketplace boasts a simple business model that has already been proven to be successful, the brand is in a position to help its franchisees expand their reach as business owners.

In addition to providing its local owners with a strong support system, Ben’s Barketplace also makes its business ownership opportunity incredibly affordable. Start-up costs for franchisees fall between $189,800 and $352,050, including a flat franchise fee of $45,000. However, Ben’s Barketplace is making its system even more accessible as it launches its franchising opportunity. The first five franchisees who sign on to open up their own store will only be responsible for a $39,000 franchise fee. Additional discounts are also available for veterans and multi-unit opportunities.

As demand for top quality pet care climbs, both consumers and aspiring business owners are recognizing the growth potential behind a brand like Ben’s Barketplace. Pet owners are increasingly looking for a more nutritionally focused pet store in their own neighborhoods, rather than the traditional big box. And with strong testimonial from current customers, Ben’s Barketplace has earned an overwhelmingly positive reputation.

“We noticed a difference in our dogs’ health right away after making the switch to raw food. From their energy levels to their ability to resist infection, everything improved right away,” said Lorrie McClain, one of Ben’s Barketplace’s loyal customers. “There’s no doubt in my mind that Ben’s Barketplace has completely changed my dogs’ health. And their team has been incredibly helpful—they’re willing to take the time to get to know you and answer every one of your questions.”

Ben’s Barketplace has also been recognized by leading industry publications for its business ownership opportunity, including Franchise Grade. For the second consecutive year, the brand earned an “A” grade for its business model. That means that the franchising industry’s leading resource is recommending the brand for aspiring entrepreneurs.

“Our franchise model has been thoroughly vetted, which is why we’re confident that we’ll be continue as we open up new locations across the West Coast and beyond,” said Romero. “We’re eager to work with franchisees who share our passion for improving the lives of pets, and we’re looking forward to officially getting our franchising opportunity off the ground.”