Puppy Love Drives Pet Supplies Plus Expansion in 2016, Future 2017 Growth

“Pet Parents” Force Expansion of Neighborhood Pet Store Across Nation

LIVONIA, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–It has been another year of people treating their pets better than their
human friends and family. The pet industry has seen another year of
consistent growth, up 4.1 percent from $60 billion in expenditures in
2015 to $62.75 billion in expenditures in 2016. Continued growth is
attributed to the rising number of “pet parents,” or people who treat
their four legged friends as members of the family who are lavished with
all-natural and organic pet foods and treats. Pet
Supplies Plus, the largest pet franchise in the country, has gained
ground on the national front thanks to industry growth in 2016 and
expects to see its most successful franchise development year in 2017.

The 28-year-old pet retailer with more than 385 stores signed a total of
33 franchise deals for 75 units in 2016, including 13 deals with
multi-unit operators. The new locations continue to build the company’s
presence in existing regions like the South, East and Midwest, but also
introduced new markets to its signature neighborly shopping experience.
2016 saw Pet Supplies Plus locations open in Colorado for the first
time. Additionally, the brand acquired regional chain Pet Extreme
(California) during the year’s first quarter and the 10 locations became
the first Pet Supplies Plus stores on the West Coast when they opened in
the fall.

Founded on the idea that convenient, quality service for busy neighbors
was lacking in the pet industry, retail veterans Jack Berry and Harry
Shallop opened the first Pet Supplies Plus store in Redford, Michigan.
Now, the neighborhood-style pet store has become a household name in 29
states, thanks to its ease of opening process, helpful team members,
in-and-out quickly mindset and great pricing.

Pet Supplies Plus has already opened 14 new stores this January and has
four more on the way in February to bring the total to 18 in just the
first two months of 2017 alone. With a steady stream of new franchise
deals, Pet Supplies Plus is scheduled to open 60 new stores this year,
which would bring its national total to nearly 450 locations, more than
half of which are independently-owned businesses.

“Pet Supplies Plus put together a milestone year in 2016 and we are
already locking in deals and opening brand new stores at an excelling
rate in 2017,” said Chris Rowland, CEO of Pet Supplies Plus. “The
openings and franchise opportunities create tremendous amounts of
homegrown career and business opportunities, all while introducing our
brand to neighbors in new U.S. towns so that they can experience a warm,
welcoming, local pet store in their community.”

In the year ahead, Pet Supplies Plus will continue its strategic growth
plan moving the brand into new regions. Most notably, after years of
requests by entrepreneurs eager to join the franchise, it will open in
the Oklahoma and Kansas markets through franchise expansion. The
retailer is also actively seeking qualified franchise partners to
develop its presence in Florida, Houston, Atlanta, Virginia, New
England, New York and California. Franchise growth can be linked back to
the high level of franchisee satisfaction the company sees.

“Every Pet Supplies Plus locations offers innovative, specialized and
premium products that have fueled our expansion in 2016,” said David
Leonardo, Senior Vice President for Franchise at Pet Supplies Plus.
“Because of the strong work our current franchisees have done, the
demand for our stores has continued to rise and our pipeline is filled
with new stores for 2017. We are proud to welcome new franchisees to the
Pet Supplies Plus family and remain committed to providing a support
system for strong unit-level economics.”

For more information about Pet Supplies Plus franchising opportunities,
visit petsuppliesplus.com/franchise
or contact Steve Olson at (734) 793-6532.

About Pet Supplies Plus

Pet Supplies Plus is focused on making it easier to get better products
for your pet. With more than 385 locations in 29 states, the stores have
a streamlined design making it easy to navigate a wide assortment of
natural foods, hard goods and pet services. Headquartered in Livonia,
MI., Pet Supplies Plus was named the 2016 Retailer of the Year by Pet
Business Magazine and is ranked No. 49 in Entrepreneur
magazine’s Annual Franchise 500® list as the Top Full-Service Pet
Supplies Franchise for its exceptional performance in areas, including
financial strength and stability, growth rate and system size. For more
information about Pet Supplies Plus franchising opportunities, visit www.petsuppliesplus.com/franchise
or contact Steve Olson, Director of Franchise Sales, at 734-793-6532.

Contacts

Fishman Public Relations
Mike Garabedian, 847-945-1300 x234
MGarabedian@fishmanpr.com