(VeteransFranchise.com) - By Holli. Updated Mar 17, 2017
It has been another year of people treating their pets better than their human friends and family. The pet industry has seen another year of consistent growth, up 4.1 percent from $60 billion in expenditures in 2015 to $62.75 billion in expenditures in 2016. Continued growth is attributed to the rising number of “pet parents,” or people who treat their four legged friends as members of the family who are lavished with allnatural and organic pet foods and treats. Pet Supplies Plus, the largest pet franchise in the country, has gained ground on the national front thanks to industry growth in 2016 and expects to see its most successful franchise development year in 2017.
The 28-year-old pet retailer with more than 385 stores signed a total of 33 franchise deals for 75 units in 2016, including 13 deals with multi-unit operators. The new locations continue to build the company’s presence in existing regions like the South, East and Midwest, but also introduced new markets to its signature neighborly shopping experience. Last year, Pet Supplies Plus locations open in Colorado for the first time. Additionally, the brand acquired regional chain Pet Extreme (California) during the year’s first quarter and the 10 locations became the first Pet Supplies Plus stores on the West Coast when they opened in the fall.
Founded on the idea that convenient, quality service for busy neighbors was lacking in the pet industry, retail veterans Jack Berry and Harry Shallop opened the first Pet Supplies Plus store in Redford, Michigan. Now, the neighborhood-style pet store has become a household name in 29 states, thanks to its ease of opening process, helpful team members, in-and-out quickly mindset and great pricing.
Pet Supplies Plus has already opened 14 new stores this January and has four more on the way in February to bring the total to 18 in just the first two months of 2017 alone. With a steady stream of new franchise deals, Pet Supplies Plus is scheduled to open 60 new stores this year, which would bring its national total to nearly 450 locations, more than half of which are independently-owned businesses.
“Pet Supplies Plus put together a milestone year in 2016 and we are already locking in deals and opening brand new stores at an excelling rate in 2017,” said Chris Rowland, CEO of Pet Supplies Plus. “The openings and franchise opportunities create tremendous amounts of homegrown career and business opportunities, all while introducing our brand to neighbors in new U.S. towns so that they can experience a warm, welcoming, local pet store in their community.”
In the year ahead, Pet Supplies Plus will continue its strategic growth plan moving the brand into new regions. Most notably, after years of requests by entrepreneurs eager to join the franchise, it will open in the Oklahoma and Kansas markets through franchise expansion. The retailer is also actively seeking qualified franchise partners to develop its presence in Florida, Houston, Atlanta, Virginia, New England, New York and California. Franchise growth can be linked back to the high level of franchisee satisfaction the company sees.
“Every Pet Supplies Plus locations offers innovative, specialized and premium products that have fueled our expansion in 2016,” said David Leonardo, senior vice president for Franchise at Pet Supplies Plus. “Because of the strong work our current franchisees have done, the demand for our stores has continued to rise and our pipeline is filled with new stores for 2017. We are proud to welcome new franchisees to the Pet Supplies Plus family and remain committed to providing a support system for strong unit-level economics.”
For more information about Pet Supplies Plus franchising opportunities, visit petsuppliesplus.com/franchise or contact Steve Olson at (734) 793-6532.
