Pet Supplies Plus on Franchise 500 List

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North America clearly loves its pets, and entrepreneurs are biting fast on rare opportunities to own their own pet stores. Shortly after being named #32 on Entrepreneur magazine’s Annual Franchise 500 for exceptional financial performance, Pet Supplies Plus received further validation of its rising marketplace dominance with a spot on the publication’s newly released 2018 Fastest-Growing Franchise Ranking.

Showing its doggedness, the 30-year-old pet retailer opened 33 new franchise stores last year alone plus 12 new corporate stores reaching the over 425-store mark and breaking into three new states. Pet Supplies Plus already came out of the gate strong in January with a designation on the Entrepreneur 500 list as the Top Full-Service Pet Supplies Franchise. Criteria for that list includes financial strength and stability, growth rate and system size.

Now, the magazine has credited Pet Supplies Plus for its fast-paced growth. Entrepreneur’s data team crunched numbers from its Franchise 500 list to determine the top 150 fastest-growth companies, based on the number of new franchise units added in North America from July 2016 to July 2017. Pet Supplies Plus came in at 124 on the list which included only three other brick and mortar retailers.

Known for providing a wide selection of natural pet foods, goods and pet services, franchisees also make a name for themselves in their community by using their store to give back by partnering with local animal shelters, non-profits and rescue organizations. Many host year-round adoption events, fundraisers and donate pet food and products.

“Our proven franchising model is designed to allow our franchise partners to focus attention on the most important aspect of their business—their neighbors and pets who walk into stores every day,” Pet Supplies Plus CEO Chris Rowland said. “By giving franchisees the support and resources they need, they are able to provide an ideal in-store experience and become an integral part of the community. This drives loyalty, repeat business and gives us a competitive advantage.”

The neighborly feel, paired with consumer demand and the U.S. pet industry expected to reach $96 billion by 2020, makes Pet Supplies Plus primed for continued franchise expansion. The growing brand seeks driven entrepreneurs to open stores in neighborhoods all over the country, including Colorado, Texas, Florida, Virginia, California, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

Pet Supplies Plus franchisees come from a variety of backgrounds ranging from working at Fortune 500 companies, military veterans, multi-concept franchise owners seeking to expand their portfolios to those seeking an active retirement plan. The company is also successfully transitioning strong independent pet store owners to become Pet Supplies Plus franchisees, allowing them to still run their own business, but with comprehensive support, a leading loyalty program and systems behind them.