Natural Hounds is a pet-nutrition franchise that first emerged on Long Island in 2018. The brand was created to give dog owners a healthier alternative to mass-produced pet food by preparing fresh, human-grade meals, treats, and chews each day in open, visible kitchens. Today, the company operates from its headquarters in Port Jefferson, New York.

The concept began expanding through franchising in 2023, after partnering with a national development organization to grow its footprint across the United States. Its first franchise operators run locations that serve dual functions: a retail storefront where customers can shop and a production space where staff prepare fresh dog food on site.

Rather than selling traditional kibble or prepackaged formulas, Natural Hounds focuses on small-batch recipes made from responsibly sourced ingredients. Transparency and freshness are central to the brand’s identity, setting it apart from standard pet-supply offerings.

Unlike many pet businesses, Natural Hounds does not include grooming, boarding, or other ancillary services. Its model is streamlined around the creation and sale of fresh food, allowing franchisees to maintain a simpler operation with lower overhead.

Training

Natural Hounds provides a structured training program for new franchisees to ensure they are well-prepared to operate their store successfully. Here is a breakdown of the training components:

1. Initial Training Program: Franchisees, or if the franchisee is a corporate entity, the Managing Owner and one Operating Manager, must attend and complete an initial training program. This program is held at Natural Hounds' training facilities in Babylon, New York, or another location designated by the franchisor. It spans approximately two weeks and includes comprehensive instruction relevant to establishing, marketing, and operating the franchised business.
2. On-Site Support: After the pre-opening phase concludes, Natural Hounds provides two days of on-site support. This support is designed to assist with the launch and ensure the store opens smoothly with guidance on operations.
3. Manuals and Ongoing Resources: Franchisees are given access to the franchisor’s confidential and proprietary manuals, which are approximately 105 pages long. These materials cover essential aspects such as operations, customer service, and compliance with franchise standards.

Territory Protection

Natural Hounds grants franchisees a Designated Territory, typically defined by a specific radius or population size, within which the franchisor agrees not to open or license another store using its system and trademarks.

However, this protection is conditional on the franchisee being in good standing and does not include exclusive rights. Franchisees may still face competition from other Natural Hounds outlets or system franchisees, even those close by.

The franchisor also reserves broad rights under its “Reserved Rights” clause. These include operating or licensing others to operate under the brand in various formats or at special locations such as airports, military bases, or online platforms—even within a franchisee’s territory.