Pet Supplies Plus: Your Neighborhood Pet Store

Founded in 1988 in Redford, Michigan, Pet Supplies Plus has grown into one of the largest specialty pet food retailers in the United States. The company began franchising in the 1990s and, as of May 2023, operates over 720 stores across 36 states.

‍Pet Supplies Plus offers a wide range of pet products, including food, supplies, and accessories, catering to various pets such as dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and small mammals.

What sets Pet Supplies Plus apart is its commitment to convenience and community engagement. Stores are typically located in easily accessible neighborhood areas, providing a friendly and welcoming shopping experience.

The company emphasizes knowledgeable team members who offer personalized service and advice to pet owners. Additionally, many locations feature grooming services, self-serve pet wash stations, and host pet adoption events, reinforcing their role as a community hub for pet lovers.

Training

Pet Supplies Plus Franchising provides an extensive training program aimed at equipping franchisees and their teams with the skills and knowledge needed for effective franchise operations. This includes an initial training program that must be attended by at least two trainees, one of whom must be a principal of the franchise entity.

This training program is tuition-free and conducted at a corporate training store designated by Pet Supplies Plus. It spans a minimum of 80 hours and may extend up to 160 hours for individuals without prior experience in retail or the pet industry. The training covers essential areas such as inventory management, sales and customer relationship practices, POS system management, and store maintenance.

The training is comprehensive and designed to prepare franchisees for all operational aspects of running a Pet Supplies Plus store. Additional focus is placed on subjects like customer service, receiving and pricing products, and the provision of services at the store. Franchisees must ensure that their designated trainees complete the training at least 30 days before the store's opening date.

Beyond the initial training, Pet Supplies Plus also provides ongoing training through its proprietary materials, which include the Operations Manual and other confidential training documents. Franchisees are allowed to use these materials to train their employees, but the materials remain the property of Pet Supplies Plus.

Territory Protection

Pet Supplies Plus grants franchisees territory protection by defining a specific area, called the "Territory," within which no other stores using the brand's marks or system can operate. The size of the territory is determined by the franchisor based on demographic and geographic factors and cannot be changed without the franchisee’s consent.

This ensures no direct competition from company-owned or other franchisee stores within the designated area.

For multi-unit agreements, franchisees are assigned a "Development Area" where no additional stores will be established during the agreement term. While this protection prevents overlapping locations, it does not restrict broader advertising or promotional efforts that may reach the territory.