At FranNet, we are commonly asked what the most recession resistant industries are. While there are several, today’s blog focuses on one that has seen steady growth over the past 20 years and is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. That industry is the pet industry.
In the United States, it is clear that people love their pets. In fact, pets outnumber children in American households by 4 to 1! The industry has seen an average of a 6.5% growth rate every year and the amount of money that people spend on each pet is increasing 6% each year.
This trend is due in large part to the humanization of our pets. Whether it’s feeding them a raw, organic diet or purchasing adorable outfits for them, pets have become members of the family.
So how can the budding entrepreneur take advantage of this growing industry?
Let’s take a look at how to very different franchise models are seeing outstanding growth by catering to people and their pets.
Pets Supplies Plus
Pets Supplies Plus is a retail operation that offers pet food, supplies, as well as live pets. The company was founded in 1988 starting out as a discount pet food supplier. The company quickly grew to include 200 stores – and this was just from family and friends of the founder!
By 2009, many of the top level managers were well into retirement age and looking to sell. The company was purchased in by Irving Place Capital – a high end consumer retail management company.
Today, operating as a franchise, the business offers investors a completely turnkey operation. Every single aspect from choosing and negotiating real estate, merchandising and marketing is handled through the experts at corporate office.
Pet Supplies Plus sets itself in the marketplace. Unlike the big box stores like PetSmart and others, Pet Supplies Plus is able to offer many high end products, such as natural and organic lines of pet food. Store employees get to know their customers (or neighbors, as Pet Supplies Plus likes to call them). And unlike smaller, independent pet stores, Pet Supplies Plus has a lot of purchasing power which allows them to offer their products at lower prices than these smaller stores.
If you are looking for a high volume and high revenue franchise model, then Pet Supplies Plus is worth taking a look at.
Aussie Pet Mobile
If you’re looking to get into the pet industry but don’t want to commit to as much overhead, then Aussie Pet Mobile, may be the ideal choice.
The company was founded in Australia in 1996 and became a franchise in 1999. The business is essentially a private pet grooming spa on wheels.
When it comes to washing and grooming their pets, pet owners only have a few options. They can do it themselves or they can take their pet to a groomer where there is often a chaotic and stressful environment. Aussie Pet Mobile provides pet owners with a third option – they can have a Mercedes van come to their home and provide a one on one spa treatment for their pet. It’s the ultimate in luxury for the pet, and the ultimate in convenience for the owner.
From the time a new franchisee gets started, it only takes about 90 days for the training and to get the van outfitting with all the equipment. 90% of franchisees do not do any of the grooming themselves – instead they are given training on how to identify and hire groomers.
The clear demand for this type of service is made evident by the fact that 90% of Aussie Pet Mobile’s customers are repeat customers. Approximately one third find the service through the company websites, another third from the van presence and the final third coming from referrals and other sources. There is no cold calling.
Many pet owners today want convenience and they are willing to pay a premium to get it.
If you are looking for a franchise in the pet industry that offers exclusive territory and no major competitors, then consider exploring opportunities with Aussie Pet Mobile.
With the pet industry growing the way it is, it makes sense to determine whether there might be an opportunity for you. To explore these and other franchise opportunities, call FranNet today.
About FranNet NJ NYC
FranNet of New Jersey and New York City has several franchise experts to help you explore the world of franchise ownership. At FranNet, we provide no-cost guidance, information and support to individuals who are interested in purchasing a franchised business. We are experts in helping our clients evaluate the various types of franchise opportunities in the marketplace today. Our goal is to not only help entrepreneurs’ dreams of business ownership come true, but to help people make sound business decisions that give them the best chance for future success. For more details visit – http://www.franchise-njnyc.com/