Petland

Founded on October 21, 1967, by former teacher Ed Kunzelman in Chillicothe, Ohio, Petland began by selling tropical fish from his home before opening its first dedicated store. Petland, Inc. is a privately held Ohio corporation headquartered in Chillicothe and led by President and CEO Joe Watson. The company began franchising in the early 1970s, with sources citing either 1971 or 1972.

Petland reports 119 total units, including 116 franchised locations and zero company owned stores. Historical sources vary. The 2022 FDD listed 91 U.S. locations, including 20 company owned stores and 71 franchises. Other 2024 reports cited approximately 94 U.S. stores, while the 2020 FDD listed 67 or 66 franchised locations. Petland once operated more than 140 domestic stores, while some reports later placed its U.S. count at 84. International sources report more than 100 locations and 139 international Petland locations as of September 2021. Global totals range from more than 150 to over 140 and approximately 238 stores. Markets include the United States, Canada, Japan, China, Mexico, Brazil, El Salvador, and South Africa.

The global pet care market is projected to exceed $325 billion by 2025, with compound annual growth of 5 to 6%. U.S. pet industry sales surpassed $123 billion in 2021. Growth reflects increased spending as pets are treated as family members, along with demand for premium food, health products, grooming, veterinary care, and other services. An aging pet population, higher disposable income for pets, and remote work that increased pet ownership and interaction also support demand. Petland serves this market through live animals, supplies, grooming, and veterinary care. The sector includes many independent businesses alongside larger retailers, creating room for established franchise systems.

The initial Petland franchise fee is $50,000. Database figures place the total initial investment from $954,910 to $1.09 million. Costs vary with store size and layout, leasing or purchasing property, construction or renovation, equipment, and opening inventory. Stores carry over 4,000 retail items, including more than 1,500 exclusive Petland branded products. Other reports cite investments of $299,000 to over $900,000, $313,000 to $1,078,000, $300,500 to $1,065,500, and $315,500 to $1,080,500.

Petland specifies $100,000 in liquid capital, while other sources cite $150,000 to $500,000 or at least $250,000. The stated net worth requirement is $250,000, though FDD research indicates that successful candidates commonly have net worth of $1,000,000 to $3,000,000. Veterans receive a 10% discount on the initial franchise fee. Other sources cite advertising fees of 0.5% to 2%, or 5% plus up to 2%. Extra training may cost up to $1,500 per day. A transfer fee is half of the then current franchise fee for a new store. Audit charges equal the actual audit cost plus a late payment fee, and overdue reports may incur $25 per day.

Petland stores provide grooming, veterinary care, premium pet supplies, and live animals. Typical locations measure 2,000 to 6,000 square feet and may offer puppies, kittens, birds, reptiles, fish, and small animals. The merchandise selection exceeds 4,000 items, including more than 1,500 exclusive Petland branded products. Pet Counselors receive training and use informational handouts, training videos, and hands on demonstrations to educate customers. They may also connect customers with specialized pet behavior specialists.

Initial training lasts two weeks at Petland’s corporate headquarters and combines classroom instruction, practical demonstrations, and in store training. The program includes up to 100.5 hours of on the job training and 55.5 hours of classroom training. Ongoing support includes an operational manual, marketing materials, site selection resources, and store layout guidance. The initial franchise agreement lasts 20 years from the store opening date, with a possible additional 20 year term if specified conditions are met. The operating model suggests an owner operator approach because of the store’s complexity and customer interaction.

In 2008, Petland was described as a $50 million company with approximately 230 stores.

Petland’s current database count is 119 total units, including 116 franchised locations. U.S. counts have ranged from more than 140 stores historically to approximately 84 to 94 in more recent reports. International expansion began in the early to late 1980s. The system now reports more than 100 overseas locations, including 139 international locations as of September 2021. Reported global totals include more than 150, over 140, and approximately 238 stores.

In 2016, Petland announced plans to enter Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Bahrain through a master franchise agreement covering the region. The first Middle East location opened in May 2019, and a second was under development in September 2021. Petland opened over 20 international locations in the two years before January 2016. Petland Canada marked 45 years in 2021 and added locations in Winnipeg and Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. Petland South Africa marked 20 years in 2021, signed a 10 year agreement, and planned three new stores, bringing its total to six. Petland Brazil signed 20 agreements between 2020 and 2021 and reached 82 locations in September 2021, up from its 64th location in July 2018. Petland Mexico opened its 7th and 8th stores. The system also emphasizes staff training, animal husbandry, community efforts to place homeless pets, and prevention of unwanted litters.

A typical Petland franchisee needs business judgment, financial capacity, and an interest in animal welfare and customer service. Specific prior industry experience is not expressly required. The size and complexity of the investment may suit candidates with management experience. Petland’s expansion, including Brazil’s conversion model for independent pet stores, also indicates an interest in multi unit operators.

Petland is expanding in the MENA region, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, and Mexico. The brand has an established U.S. presence, though specific domestic territory availability is not detailed. The franchise term is 20 years from the store opening date, with a possible additional 20 year renewal if conditions are met. A transfer or resale requires a fee equal to half of the then current franchise fee for a new store. Training and ongoing support apply to both first time owners and experienced multi unit operators.

Petland combines live animals, more than 4,000 retail products, grooming, and veterinary services in a full service model. PeerSense provides franchise research that includes SBA lending history, Loan Activity Score, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and comparison tools. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm, not a lender, and introduces franchise buyers to SBA and conventional lenders.