Natural Hounds has national plans

Natural Hounds, a franchise brand that produces locally made dog food, has launched a new program aimed at national expansion.

The Long Island, New York-based company has partnered with franchise development firm FranSmart with an opportunity that it says operates through a low-overhead model focused on fresh food that helps dogs live longer, healthier lives.

According to Dan Rowe, CEO of FranSmart, Natural Hounds could be the next big player a fast-growing pet sector.

“Natural Hounds is doing for the pet industry what Five Guys did for burgers,” said Rowe. “They’re taking something people already love, making it better, fresher, and more local — all while delivering one of the easiest operational models I’ve seen. This is a brand built to scale fast and last long.”

From July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, two locations in Port Jefferson and Babylon, New York each pulled in net sales of more than $685,000. The initial franchise fee for Natural Hounds is $30,000, which FranSmart says is one of the lowest royalty fees in its portfolio. Other brands that

FranSmart has grown include Five Guys Burgers & Fries and QDOBA Mexican Grill. The company’s current and past franchise development portfolio brands have opened more than 5,000 restaurants worldwide.

“We saw a massive opportunity to simplify what it means to run a pet business,” said Rick Orlandi, co-founder of Natural Hounds. “Our model eliminates the headaches — no grooming, no cleaning, no caretaking — and focuses on what really matters: serving fresh, local food that dogs love and owners trust.”

“Farmer’s Dog and other national brands have spent millions educating the public on the benefits of fresh food,” added Conor Wooley, co-founder of Natural Hounds. ” Natural Hounds takes that awareness and builds something local and lasting — a franchise system that turns national demand into neighborhood loyalty.”

Natural Hounds said it is accepting franchise inquiries and expects early deals to move quickly throughout the East Coast. The company also said that it plans to expand into the top 50 U.S. markets, targeting both passionate pet lovers and experienced multi-unit operators.