Forever Friends Pet Funeral Home and Crematory is a compassionate franchise dedicated to honoring the memory of beloved pets. Founded by Bob Walczyk Jr. in 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the company launched its franchising model in October 2021. It is now operated under Forever Franchising, LLC, headquartered in Cedar Park, Texas.

The franchise offers full-service pet funeral solutions. These include private, individual, and communal cremations, along with memorial keepsakes, urns, paw prints, and grief-support resources. Locations often include a pet wash and provide on-site removal services, family viewing rooms, and professional memorial planning.

Forever Friends differentiates itself by creating a warm, dignified space specifically for pet loss. Unlike vet offices or third-party cremation services, their on-site crematory and customized tributes offer a more personal and comforting experience for grieving pet owners.

Training

Forever Friends provides an extensive and structured training program for its franchisees to ensure they are equipped to run their business effectively:

1. Initial Training Program: This mandatory program covers all core operational areas, including customer service, administrative processes, vendor interactions, equipment use, business licensing, legal filings, insurance, and point-of-sale systems. It is delivered either in person at the franchisor's headquarters or another designated site.
2. Pre-Opening Training: Prior to the business launch, franchisees undergo on-site “Soft Opening” training to ensure all preparations—equipment, staff, and procedures—are in place. This leads into support during the “Grand Opening” where the franchisor assists on-site.
3. Grand Opening Follow-Up: After the business opens, franchisees receive one day of on-site management, sales, and marketing support. This ensures alignment with company standards and provides coaching on operational improvements.
4. Refresher Training: Annually, the franchisor may require franchisees and key staff to attend ongoing training sessions, not exceeding one session or three days per year. These sessions focus on updated policies, standards, and business practices.

Territory Protection

Forever Friends grants its franchisees an Exclusive Territory, typically defined as a geographic area with up to a 5-mile radius from the franchise location. This territory is described in detail in the franchise agreement and is established upon approval of the franchisee’s lease.

While the franchisee operates within this territory, Forever Friends commits not to establish another similar business within that area, provided the franchisee remains in good standing.

However, this territorial protection comes with conditions and limitations. The franchisee must meet certain performance benchmarks, such as minimum sales figures, to maintain exclusivity.