5 Top Reasons to Invest in a Pet Wants Franchise in 2024

The pet industry is booming, and Pet Wants is leading the pack with its unique approach to pet nutrition and business operations. Here are five compelling reasons why investing in a Pet Wants franchise in 2024 could be the perfect opportunity for you.

The pet industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. New data through 2021 demonstrates that the U.S. pet sector contributes $260.5 billion directly and indirectly to the U.S. economy. With more households owning pets and prioritizing their health and wellness, the demand for high-quality pet food is at an all-time high.

Pet Wants is perfectly positioned to capitalize on this trend with its focus on fresh, nutrient-rich food delivered directly to customers. In Q1 of 2024, the brand saw six new territories added and a same-store-sales increase of 13% — one of its best quarters to date.

Industry growth trends

“Our sales growth this year underscores the strength of the pet industry, which continues to flourish at an impressive rate,” said Pet Wants President DeNita Carani. “Our successful franchisees, our consultative and educational approach, and the quality of our product combine to create a winning formula for continued expansion.”

As a result of the booming industry, there is no shortage of pet-related franchise opportunities. But Pet Wants sets itself apart with its commitment to quality and innovation in pet nutrition. The brand's proprietary formulas and innovative products, such as the newly launched freeze-dried dog food and soon-to-come private label supplements, provide a significant advantage over competitors.

“Our food is prepared at low temperatures and delivered within weeks, not months, ensuring it’s far more nutritious and fresher than what's typically available,” said Jeff Rachu, director of nutrition programs at Pet Wants. “This commitment to quality and freshness sets us apart in the pet food industry and provides significant health benefits for pets.”

Pet Wants’ innovative approach to pet nutrition ensures that franchisees can offer their customers the best products on the market. By becoming trusted resources in their communities, Pet Wants franchisees can build strong relationships with pet owners, ensuring they provide the best possible care and nutrition for their pets.

Franchise model benefits

One of the standout features of the Pet Wants franchise model is its fast ramp-up and scalability. This is largely due to the fact that franchisees can start with a mobile or event-based business, which allows them to generate revenue and build community connections before launching a retail store.

“The mobile store allowed us to give up our previous jobs and focus entirely on Pet Wants,” said Joe Alnaraie, owner of Pet Wants of Clarkston, Michigan. “From there, we could move forward and just focus on growing the business, eventually leading to the launch of our retail store and significantly increasing our sales. We went from $5,000 in monthly sales to over $30,000 after opening the retail store.”

Jerry Luzynski, owner of Pet Wants in Chesterfield, Michigan, recently set a record for the brand’s highest sales revenue month in his very first month of operation.

“We plan to open our first store by March of 2025, so that’ll be our first retail brick-and-mortar,” Luzynski said. “Our goal is to scale quickly early on, so to go from one event per weekend to two, and so on. This past weekend, we were at four different locations in our ninth week of business ownership. We were told to find a way to start to think about scaling early on, and you can't clone yourself. We have already hired a couple of part-timers to help out and they are our event specialists. We hope to go from one store in 2025 to two stores two-to-three years later.”

Recession resistance

In times of economic uncertainty, Pet Wants proves to be a recession-resistant business. During the 2008 financial crisis, for example, the pet industry experienced steady growth, and the trend continued through the COVID-19 pandemic. As more people adopted pets during these challenging times, the need for premium pet food and care products surged. Pet owners cut back on discretionary spending but continued to invest in essential items for their pets to keep them healthy and happy.

“Pets are a part of people’s extended families, so they want to ensure they are healthy and on a good diet,” said Carani. “This consistent demand for high-quality pet food and wellness products means that even during economic downturns, pet owners prioritize spending on their pets’ health, making our business model recession-resistant.”

Investment and returns

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Pet Wants ranges from $137,850 to $219,000. While this is already more affordable than most options out there, Pet Wants also offers a unique incentive program called the Winner’s Circle, which allows franchisees to earn back their initial franchise fee as they reach certain milestones with their business.

“The Winner's Circle program is a testament to our commitment to the success of our franchisees,” said Carani. “By setting achievable goals and providing tangible rewards, we ensure that our franchisees are not only motivated but also recognized for their hard work and dedication.”

And the potential for high returns is substantial, with top quartile Pet Wants franchises reporting an average revenue of over $1.1 million.

Overall, investing in a Pet Wants franchise in 2024 offers a golden opportunity to enter the thriving pet industry with a brand that knows what it takes to win best in show. For entrepreneurs passionate about pets and eager to make a difference, Pet Wants leads the pack.