UK’s original pet sitting franchise unveils new look

Along with turning 20 this year, Petpals is also launching its new management franchise model

With more people than ever owning pets – thanks, in part, to the months spent at home during lockdown – demand for Petpals’ services is at an all-time high. And so, it stands to reason that now would be the perfect time for an exciting fresh look and offering, with an official rebrand and the launch of the new management franchise model.

“Petpals turned 20 this year, so what better way to celebrate than with a rebrand and shift of our franchise investment strategy?” said Kevin Thackrah, director. “Having witnessed a real upturn in the number of people owning pets and the complex needs that come with that, we feel this rebrand has come at the perfect time. We’ve always been known as the most trusted provider of pet care services but our goal in 2021 is to establish ourselves as the management franchise opportunity of choice too. We’re looking forward to supporting both our existing franchisees and new investors to build profitable businesses with real scope for growth. Our rebrand is just the beginning!”

Unlike other pet care franchises, Petpals is not just offering a lifestyle business to fit around the family – the new offering provides savvy investors from all walks of life with a first-class business investment opportunity in a rapidly growing market. According to a recent survey, approximately 59 per cent of all UK households own a pet, including 12.5 million dogs, 12.2 million cats and another 8.1 million small pets1. And with 3.2 million households acquiring a family pet since the start of the pandemic – and busy owners now returning to work – more people than ever are turning to the services of fully trained and experienced pet care providers.

Customers can expect to see a fresh design on Petpals’ vehicles and clothing. Formerly heavily focused on every man’s best friend, the trusty dog, the rebrand sees the incorporation of our feline friends and other small animals. Existing franchisees will be transitioning to the new branding in phases over the next few months.

“Our core value is based on our belief that pet ownership is a privilege, not a right,” added Kevin. “It’s because of this that we’re respected amongst the pet owner community and our standards sit at the heart of our business. We’re looking for committed individuals to support us in delivering these services to as many UK households as possible. Previously, our franchisees have delivered our range of services themselves – in some cases supported by staff. But we’ve also seen some franchisees grow much bigger than that, drawing on our expertise to develop a management-style operation. It became apparent that there’s real value in offering Petpals with both the option to launch as an owner-operator model or as a management model. This is an exciting new phase for Petpals, as we bring in talented people who will support us in reaching our full potential.”

As part of the rebrand and official launch of the management model offering, Kevin and the team have revisited the entire training and support package. For an initial fee of £18,000, franchisees are equipped with an exclusive territory, comprehensive training for both the franchisee and their team, and guidance through the legislative requirements of the sector. In the run-up to the launch of their business, franchisees are also supported with marketing, PR, business coaching and general profile-raising activity, as well as having ongoing access to further business development, coaching and support.

“With no debilitating property costs or investment in stock, this presents an outstanding opportunity for both income and capital growth with an excellent ROI,” said Kevin. “With an established network of over 50 franchisees, we are now on the hunt for the next generation of management franchisees with the potential to grow into a multi-territory franchise operation.”