Independent franchise review
Pet Supplies Plus Franchise Review (2026): Costs, Fees, Revenue Potential
Pet Supplies Plus is a retail pet food and supply store franchise. According to the FDD, stores sell pet food, pet supplies, certain live pets other than dogs or cats, and may also offer grooming, bathing, and related services in a retail store format.
The model is built around a standardized store system, approved supplier access, required technology, and ongoing local and national advertising contributions.
Quick verdict: 👉 Mixed — mature unit base and meaningful revenue disclosure, but startup cost, operating complexity, and a layered fee structure make this a substantial operating commitment.
Snapshot
At a glance- Category: Food & Beverage
- Initial Investment: $540,520 to $1,975,005
- Franchise Fee: $49,900
- Royalty: 2% of monthly gross sales for the first 12 months; 3% after that
- Marketing / Ad Fee: First 12 months: $3,350 per month local marketing spend plus $1,000 per month to the national advertising fund; after that, the required monthly advertising contribution is the lesser of 3.5% of gross sales or $8,333
- Key additional recurring fees: Technology fee estimated at $925 to $1,200 per month; POS leasing estimated at $265 to $340 per month plus tax; grooming scheduling software at $132 per month for stores offering grooming; delivery-related fees may range from $150 to $1,700 per month where applicable
- Number of locations: 502 franchised outlets and 233 company-owned or affiliate-owned outlets at year-end 2024
- Best Fit: Owner with active oversight or a manager-led store under direct owner supervision
What does it cost to start?
The FDD estimates total initial investment at $540,520 to $1,975,005, with a midpoint of roughly $1.26 million. The initial franchise fee is $49,900.
The wide range suggests site-specific buildout, equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory, and opening capital can vary materially by location and format. The disclosure also shows additional funds of $40,000 to $300,000, which indicates a meaningful working-capital requirement beyond opening costs.
In practical terms, this is a high-cost retail franchise. The investment level is substantial enough that site selection, rent structure, staffing plan, and ramp-up period are likely to matter significantly.
Fee structure
- Royalty: 2% of monthly gross sales for the first 12 months, then 3%
- Technology fee: Estimated $925 to $1,200 per month
- POS leasing: Estimated $265 to $340 per month plus tax
- Advertising, first 12 months: $3,350 per month local marketing spend plus $1,000 per month to the national advertising fund
- Advertising, after first 12 months: Lesser of 3.5% of gross sales or $8,333 per month, with 2/3 directed to local marketing and 1/3 to the national fund
- Grooming scheduling software: $132 per month for stores offering grooming
- Delivery-related fees: Typically $150 to $1,700 per month if using a third-party courier model
- Renewal fee: $2,500
- Transfer fee: $5,000
Overall, the recurring fee load appears layered rather than simple. The royalty rate itself is relatively modest in percentage terms, but required advertising and technology-related charges add meaningful fixed and variable cost obligations.
Can you make money with Pet Supplies Plus?
Yes, the FDD includes Item 19 financial performance data for 347 reporting franchised stores covering the measurement period from January 1, 2024 to December 28, 2024.
Average weekly gross sales
- Average of all stores: $51,283
- Median of all stores: $48,001
- Range of all stores: $18,428 to $132,180
By store age:
- 1 year (37 stores): average $32,566, median $32,467, low $18,428, high $62,080
- 2 years (34 stores): average $40,041, median $40,108, low $19,366, high $58,927
- 3 years (33 stores): average $45,513, median $44,649, low $22,212, high $85,058
- 4+ years (243 stores): average $56,489, median $53,979, low $24,625, high $132,180
Average annual gross sales
- Average of all stores: $2,666,693
- Median of all stores: $2,496,071
- Range of all stores: $958,273 to $6,873,341
By store age:
- 1 year: average $1,693,451, median $1,688,265, low $958,273, high $3,228,158
- 2 years: average $2,082,112, median $2,085,636, low $1,007,028, high $3,064,219
- 3 years: average $2,366,665, median $2,321,758, low $1,155,048, high $4,422,997
- 4+ years: average $2,937,419, median $2,806,907, low $1,280,489, high $6,873,341
Other disclosed operating figures for all reporting stores
- Average annual gross margin: 38.0%
- Average annual rent: $183,091
- Average rent as % of gross sales: 6.9%
- Average annual labor expense: $383,393
- Average labor as % of gross sales: 14.4%
Interpretation
The revenue data shows a clear difference by store maturity: older stores reported higher average and median sales than newer stores. At the same time, the spread is wide. For all reporting stores, annual gross sales ranged from just under $1.0 million to nearly $6.9 million, which indicates meaningful unit-level variability.
The median is below the average for all stores, which suggests some higher-volume stores pull the average upward. The FDD also states that 43.8% of reporting stores exceeded the average weekly and annual gross sales figure, reinforcing that the average should not be treated as a typical outcome.
Just as important, revenue is not profit. The FDD provides gross sales, gross margin, rent, and labor figures, but it does not establish store-level net income. It also states that the figures were not audited or independently verified. In addition, the sample excludes 138 stores from the 485 franchised stores open at the start of the period, including transferred, reacquired, closed, non-comparable acquired stores, and stores that did not fully or timely report all items.
Business model
This is primarily a B2C retail store model. Revenue appears to come from a mix of product sales and service offerings such as grooming, bathing, and possibly delivery, depending on the store.
The model combines recurring consumer demand with a physical retail footprint, inventory, staffing, and required technology systems. Operationally, it appears to be a hands-on business with store management, labor scheduling, merchandising, supplier compliance, and service execution all playing a role.
The FDD indicates the owner must either devote full-time attention to management and operation or appoint a trained Key Manager to run day-to-day operations.
Pros and considerations
Advantages
- Item 19 includes actual gross sales data for 347 reporting franchised stores, plus gross margin, rent, and labor figures.
- Revenue figures improve materially by store age in the disclosure, with 4+ year stores reporting higher average and median sales than newer stores.
- The system had 502 franchised outlets at year-end 2024, indicating an established franchised base.
- Royalty starts at 2% in the first 12 months before increasing to 3% thereafter.
Considerations
- The initial investment range of $540,520 to $1,975,005 is substantial and wide.
- Required advertising contributions are significant, especially in the first year, and continue thereafter under a percentage-or-cap structure.
- The business appears operationally intensive, with retail staffing, inventory, services, and technology requirements.
- Item 19 excludes 138 stores, so the reported sample does not represent every franchised store open at the start of the measurement period.
- The territory is non-exclusive, which can limit local protection.
Who this franchise may fit
This franchise may fit someone prepared for a capital-intensive retail operation and comfortable managing a store directly or supervising a trained manager. It may also fit operators who want a model with disclosed unit-level sales history and are prepared to evaluate store economics in detail.
It likely does not fit buyers looking for a low-cost startup, a simple home-based model, or a passive ownership structure with minimal oversight.
FDD-based risk notes
- The FDD states the territory is non-exclusive, so the disclosure does not indicate protected exclusivity.
- Stores that offer grooming or delivery may face added operational complexity and added recurring costs beyond base fees.
- The business depends on approved suppliers and prescribed systems, which can limit operating flexibility.
- The disclosure notes audit-related penalties if gross sales are understated by 2% or more, including surcharge exposure and possible audit cost reimbursement.
- A portion of required advertising after the first year is tied to gross sales, which means the obligation can rise with revenue until the monthly cap applies.
Final assessment
Pet Supplies Plus presents a retail model with meaningful disclosed revenue history and a large existing store base, but it also requires a high upfront investment and active operational management. The main tradeoff is straightforward: lower royalty percentages than some buyers may expect are offset by substantial advertising, technology, staffing, and store-level execution demands.
FAQ
How much does it cost to start a Pet Supplies Plus franchise?
The FDD estimates **$540,520 to $1,975,005**, including a **$49,900** franchise fee.
What revenue does Pet Supplies Plus report in Item 19?
For **347 reporting franchised stores**, average annual gross sales were **$2,666,693** and median annual gross sales were **$2,496,071**.
Is Pet Supplies Plus profitable?
The FDD does not clearly establish profitability. It provides revenue and some operating cost figures, but **revenue does not equal profit**.
Is this an owner-operator franchise?
The owner must devote full-time attention to management and operation or appoint a trained **Key Manager** for day-to-day operations.
How many locations does Pet Supplies Plus have?
At year-end 2024, the system had **502 franchised** outlets and **233 company-owned or affiliate-owned** outlets. ---
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