With 41,268  retail pet stores, 78million dogs, and 85.8 million cats in the U.S. alone, the pet store industry continues to grow. The American Pet Product Association (APPA) estimates that pet stores raked $123.6 billion in U.S. sales for 2021. Pet stores stand to profit from their feathered, furry, and scaly residents.

In business, operating costs are inevitable and necessary. Expenses such as rent, utilities, and even labor can prove highly inconvenient for any business owner who cannot afford the typical amenities associated with these expenses. There is a pet franchise opportunity for those businesses looking to venture into pet ownership without breaking the bank. Read on to learn about the six affordable and profitable franchises.

Woofie’s

It is a pet store franchise started in September 2004 by Amy Reed and Leslie Barron in Ashburn, VA.  Incredible women from diverse backgrounds head it. In 2015, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognized it as among the top 100 start-up businesses. They provide dog walking, door-to-door spa services, grooming appointments, loyalty member programs, and pet sitting. In 2010 they won local and regional awards for the pet services offered. 

They have integrated technology into their business, improving client and customer friendships through timely communication. The franchise model consists of a proven business model backed by franchising experts who have direct experience with how to run a business like this successfully.

Chewy.com

Chewy.com is a famous online pet shop that offers products such as pet food, toys, supplies, and pharmacy categories. Chewy.com was founded in 2011 and is based in sunny Florida. In 2020, Chewy.com sold for almost 3.3 billion dollars to PetSmart. It was listed as a standalone company on the public markets in 2019. As one of the most popular online retailers of pet products in the USA, it’s a brand that you’ll want to keep your eye on this year when deciding which franchise to buy into!

PetSmart

PetSmart is a publicly-traded company with over 1,650 locations in the United States and Canada. It is a leading pet retailer that carries a wide range of pet products and services, including training classes, grooming services, washable apparel, collars and leashes, toys, treats, and health supplies. The store also offers adoption services for cats and dogs.

PetSmart Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, this pet supply store was founded in 1987 and has over 1650 locations across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. It offers a wide range of products, including food, toys, grooming supplies, etc. 

Pet Supplies Plus

Pet Supplies Plus is the best pet supply store in the United States, with over 500 locations in 35 states. The company has been around for three decades and continues to expand rapidly. It is a full-service pet supply store that offers everything from food, grooming, and accessories. Pet Supplies Plus also carries an assortment of small animals, including fish, reptiles, and birds.

The company provides training, marketing materials, and dedicated support to help franchise owners make their stores thrive. It requires an investment of approximately $440,000-$1 315,000.

Camp Bow Wow

Since 2000, Camp Bow Wow has provided safe, fun, and reliable dog daycare and overnight boarding services for dogs in a caring environment. They offer a proven business model with exceptional support from franchising experts who have first-hand experience operating a business like this successfully. Every new owner is guided through an extensive training program to be equipped with all the necessary tools to help them succeed in such a competitive industry.

Aussie Pet Mobile

The Aussie Pet Mobile business model is a mobile pet grooming service in which a van comes to the customer’s door. With more than 330 franchisees in the USA, the company has a unique and proven business model, plus you can operate this franchise full or part-time.

Aussie Pet Mobile offers you the opportunity to run your own business with a low level of risk and overhead. You’ll have access to many years of experience in operating successful pet grooming businesses, plus an established brand.

People love their pets. That’s clear from the continued popularity of companion animals and the booming pet industry. As consumers become more educated and engaged, they expect high-quality products and services to meet the health, lifestyle, and wellness needs of the dogs, cats, reptiles, arachnids, and other furry creatures in their lives. Entrepreneurs are flocking retail pet store franchises as valuable start-up businesses with sustainable growth potential to meet this growing demand for animal-related products and services.