Petpals Franchise News Feed Five top tips for caring for your pet this Bonfire Night - 19-November-2021 It goes without saying that the autumn months are some of the busiest for British families – with Halloween, Guy Fawkes Night and the social occasions leading up to Christmas. But as we all wrap up warm and enjoy a mug of mulled wine or hot chocolate, spare a thought for the 51 million pets1 living in homes around the country. With loud bangs, unwelcome guests and other unfamiliar scenarios to contend with, the next three months are set to be the most stressful for our four-legged friends. In fact, a recent RSPCA poll suggested that 18% more people will be hosting private events this Bonfire Night. This increase in ‘DIY firework displays’ is especially worrying when considering that our much-loved pets get distressed by these events – with 54% of cats and 62% of dogs becoming upset due to the loud noise caused by the commotion2. To help support owners during this difficult time, here’s five top tips from Kevin Thackrah, Director of pet-care specialists Petpals, on how you can best care for your pets this Bonfire Night. Set off earlier Whilst your usual routine might see you taking the dog around the block for its nightly walk after the dark has set in, I would recommend making an exception for this one evening and setting off a little earlier. Walking your dog before the sun goes down – and before any bonfires are set alight! – will minimise any additional stress for your pet. Keep curtains closed Do your best to block out any background noise or light by closing all curtains and windows as early on in the day as possible. This will help keep visibility to a minimum and will stop your pet from panicking if there is a sudden noise or knock at the door. Keep them company When possible, stay home with your pet on the evenings where higher footfall is expected – keep close and comfort them if they do happen to become alarmed. And if that isn’t doable for you, leave the radio on or the TV playing in the background – just something familiar that will put them at ease. Keep them inside If your pets are usually kept outside, in a hutch or pen, perhaps consider bringing them inside for the few hours that firework displays usually go on for. This process – of moving from the outside in - in itself can be slightly unsettling for pets so do this in stages, slowly introducing them to the new sounds and smells that they aren’t familiar with. Keep them safe Spooked pets can run away, especially cats, so make sure they’re properly microchipped to make them easily identifiable if they do. If your pet is already microchipped, make sure your contact details are up to date so you can be contacted straight away. 1 RSPCA, 2021, Facts & figures 2 RSPCA, 2021, Fireworks Campaign. Darlington dream team shortlisted for a national award - 06-October-2021 David and Sallyann Gray, owners of Petpals Darlington and Yarm, are celebrating being shortlisted for a national business award. The husband-and-wife team, who have been running their pet-care services business for 15 years, has been selected by an expert panel to be in the running for the British Franchise Association’s (bfa) HSBC Local Focus Franchisee of the Year award - for their outstanding contribution to the North Yorkshire and Tees Valley communities. “We’re blown away by the fact that we have been recognised by the bfa,” said David. “We’ve been operating in the Darlington and Yarm area since 2006 and we’re so delighted that the work we’ve done in supporting important causes during a very difficult time is being recognised. At Petpals, we really pride ourselves on not only looking after pets but also supporting the communities that we are part of.” Sallyann began her journey with Petpals after seeking a change from her teaching career. After witnessing her rapid success with the Darlington territory just one year into operations, David joined her in running the business. Since then, the couple have gone from strength-to-strength employing over 20 staff in the Darlington area. The nomination they have received for the Local Focus franchisee award highlights the commitment that the couple has made to making their community a better place. During their time with Petpals, David and Sallyann have regularly raised money for charities such as Dementia UK, the Great North Air Ambulance, Dogs For Good and Hounds for Heroes - raising over £15,000 for worthy causes. The pair has also contributed to the local community, building relationships with local councils and charities to make a difference. “We are proud to be recognised as one of the most trusted providers of pet care service in the Tees Valley region, through our professional and supportive relationships with our local authorities and other support organisations, explained Sallyann. “Being able to engage with all levels - from the executive to specialist departments to local councillors - means we can provide assistance to local people that require help and support with their animals, sometimes in difficult or challenging circumstances.” The bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year Awards recognise the very best of franchise businesses in the country, acknowledging the work done in areas such as development, resiliency, sustainability and community impact. The Gray’s nomination for the Local Focus franchisee award highlights their outstanding impact in all these areas. “We’ve always tried to make the community that we are so lucky to be a part of a better place,” said Sallyann. “We’re so fortunate to live in this part of the country and to work with so many great people. Having the ability to work with councils and charities, who share our passion for making a difference, is so rewarding,” added David. Winners will be announced at the glittering awards ceremony in Birmingham on 30th November 2021. Why it's the right time to buy a pet-care franchise - 29-September-2021 According to research by the Pet Food Manufacturers Association, there are 34 million pets in the UK living in 59% of all households. Crucially, for those of us working in the pet-care sector, that equates to 12.5 million dogs and 12.2 million cats1 - not forgetting the tens of thousands of horses, rabbits, fish, tortoises, turtles and other small pets up and down the country. The pandemic caused a massive surge in pet ownership with 3.2 million people having a pet join their family in the year from March 2020. With the world opening back up, pet owners are back at work, finally taking a holiday or, for one reason or another, needing help to look after their animals, which is where pet-care businesses like Petpals step in. Responding to a demand Pet-care franchises can offer anything from an occasional dog walk to dog boarding as an alternative to kennels, cat visits, vet taxi service and pop-in visits to people’s homes. Petpals look after everything from cats and dogs to guinea pigs and rabbits - and all creatures in between. If you’re a true pet lover looking for a better quality of life or a release from the daily commute, then a pet-care franchise could very well be for you. Recently, Petpals has expanded its traditional owner-operator model by offering a management franchise option for those who wish to grow their business by employing a team from the outset. Pet services - a lucrative industry A study by national pet charity PDSA has revealed that looking after a dog could cost an owner a not insignificant £30,800 over its lifetime2 - clearly showing that money is no object when it comes to looking after man’s best friend. If you compare this with the care of one of our feline friends, costing a whopping £24,000 for lifetime care3, you can see that the pet industry has never been more lucrative. Director of Petpals Kevin Thackrah says, “The rate of pet ownership has never been higher and this means that with the world opening back up more people will be turning to specialist pet-care service providers for solutions. We believe that our proven model which offers comprehensive training and support is an exciting opportunity for those who have a passion for pets. And that’s the important thing, pet care can be a lucrative business but it’s the welfare of animals that is the priority for us at Petpals. Add to this an increase in pet owners returning to work and you have the perfect supply and demand situation - a loving, responsible owner who doesn’t always have the time but who requires a reliable, professional pet-care service to look after their much-loved pet on a regular basis. Ethical pet-care franchises From a franchising point of view, Petpals’ incorporation of its comprehensive values and ethics makes the franchise opportunity stand out. From day one, committed individuals will be immersed in the Petpals winning culture, so they can achieve the high standards that customers have come to expect of the Petpals brand. Petpals has over 50 franchisees and is the UK’s longest-established national pet-sitting and pet-care franchise. Some of the many benefits of investing in a pet-service franchise like Petpals is that it is a mobile business, so it fits around family life and can be scaled up or down, depending on how hands-on or hands-off the franchisee wants to be. All businesses great and small Some franchisees are happy to manage a small but profitable business, spending each day visiting pets in their homes, walking dogs and often boarding them in their own homes. Others run their businesses as a management franchise where, although still pet lovers, they are not as involved directly in the pet care themselves. Instead, they choose to employ a team of carers and operate multiple territories, with expansion into the neighbouring territory always on their mind. There is no ‘right or wrong’ way of running a pet-care franchise. The size and style will be determined by the franchisee’s desired outcomes. Some are looking for a good work-life balance, having possibly left a stressful job. Others can see the potential of building a large and successful business which they can grow and sell on in the future, leaving them financially secure. Franchisor support Whatever the size of the business, the back-up and support franchisees receive from their franchisor should be the same. From the initial launch to ongoing marketing and PR, a modern website, social media and regular in-territory visits, an experienced franchisor will be able to help and support a franchisee to grow their business to the size they desire. Most importantly, always choose a franchisor that is dedicated to ethical franchising – one that is a British Franchise Association member and is known to have met the exacting standards of the regulatory body. 1 Pet Food Manufacturer Association, 2021, Pet population report 2 PDSA, 2021, The cost of owning a dog 3 PDSA, 2021, The cost of owning a cat. Undertaking a successful nationwide rebrand during a global pandemic - 17-September-2021 Making long-term decisions about the future of your franchise during a global pandemic is no easy undertaking – but, done well, the results of a shift in strategy can have a profound impact on your business. A successful rebrand will bring every part of your franchise together to create a clear and commanding message. And, whilst rebrands have been proven to have a palpable effect on your business when executed correctly, it will take comprehensive planning and imagination to achieve your goals. Kevin Thackrah, Director of the UK’s largest pet-care service franchise, Petpals, has recently undertaken a transformative rebrand. Here’s how he and his team created the exciting fresh look and new business model. Why do you need to rebrand? As a business owner the first thing you must identify is: “Is it time for a rebrand?”. In the case of Petpals, the rebrand was not just about a change of logo or imagery but a strengthening of the vision, mission and values that makes our brand unique. It can be a tough journey deciding whether a rebrand is going to benefit you, your franchisees and your loyal customers. At Petpals, we have had massive success with our original branding which predominantly focused on the care services we offered for dogs. Before the rebrand, all our branding - from our website to our vans - had led with an image of ‘man’s best friend’. However, at Petpals, as our business has developed and grown, we have looked after a variety of incredible pets, so we felt our branding should celebrate that. Therefore, even though we still have massive love for our canine best friends, we felt we should represent all the animals we care for at Petpals in our messaging. Another motive for undertaking a nationwide rebrand was the apparent value in offering Petpals with both the option to invest in an owner-operator model or as a management model. This was a big step in the evolution of Petpals, so we made sure we revisited our core values, mission, vision and training and support package before making the changes. What is the demand for the service? Another avenue to explore is the state of the industry - has the demand for your service changed during the development of your business? On Monday 23rd March 2020, the nationwide lockdown became mandatory and, by Tuesday 24th, our client activity dropped by 90%. Despite the obvious challenges we faced during this period, we also saw great opportunity in the increase of pet ownership. 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. So, as a result of this change, we revisited the rebrand plans we’d initially considered in 2019 as we felt this could help us connect with the growing marketplace. On the surface, it may have seemed risky to change an established brand during a difficult period. However, we felt the growth in pet owners offered a perfect time for us to introduce Petpals to a new audience. I believe we needed to be bold in order to capitalise on the growth of the market. Due diligence is significant If you’re going to make a powerful change to your business model you will need to do powerful research. Before the pandemic, Petpals was coming up to the 19-year-old mark, so we were already preparing to make the changes required to refresh our business model and customer offering. Before the nationwide lockdown was enforced, we had formed a national focus group – made up of existing franchisees and representatives from our support team – to discuss the adaptions we could make to the existing model. One of Petpals’ core values is how teamwork will achieve greater results than individual effort, so we made sure we demonstrated this during the rebrand process. I think our initial images missed the mark to start with and as a result of franchisee input from across the network, we came up with our final branding. At the end of the day, the franchisees make up the Petpals family, so any rebrand would need their valuable input if it was going to be a success. Get your message out An example of one of the most significant changes we’ve made to the brand is how customers can expect to see a fresh design on our vehicles and uniforms. Our existing franchisees will be transitioning to the new branding in phases over the next few months. But one thing remains consistent - our commitment to excellence when it comes to caring for animals. We also maintained communication via social media throughout the pandemic, posting daily during the peak of the lockdown. It goes without saying that the global economic and business environment during the rebrand have not been easy, however we feel that the changes will help us continue to be the UK’s leading provider of ethical pet care services. Despite the challenges that we were confronted with during the pandemic, we’re proud to say that we did not lose a single franchise during the period and our nationwide rebrand has been a success. Whilst a rebrand might seem like an overwhelming undertaking, with the right planning and execution it can be a successful way of communicating existing or new ideas to your audience and future consumers. Kevin Thackrah is Director of Petpals, the UK’s largest multi-service pet care franchise. Petpals offers much more than a home boarding or dog walking service; it is a professional, tried and tested, successful business format which is fully supported by the Petpals team and nationwide network of franchisees. * Pet Food Manufacturers Association’s Pet Population report 2021 10-point checklist for your management-style franchise from Petpals - 02-August-2021 Investing in a management-style franchise offers savvy entrepreneurs the opportunity to put their skills in management and organisation to good use. This model is often most successful when the owner sees the value in the support of others to make it a success as, although you will be working on the business at a strategic level, you may not be working ‘in’ the business every day. It’s therefore critical that imperative strategic decisions, like recruiting the right people for the right job, are given the time and expertise required. Here, Kevin Thackrah - Director of pet-care franchise Petpals - talks us through the steps to expect when investing in a management-style franchise. Having recently unveiled their new management model, Kevin draws from their recent formalisation of the management franchise opportunity several of his franchisees have been operating. Step one: Do your research It’s essential that you take the time to explore all possible avenues when it comes to selecting the most suitable franchise before you invest. Also make sure you’re not guilty of disregarding sectors because of a lack of experience – when it comes to management franchises, experience of the specific service you’ll be providing isn’t necessarily a prerequisite for success. As you’ll be recruiting a team of staff to support in your new endeavour – more on that later – the experience needed to be an effective manager comes down to good organisational skills and leadership qualities. Step two: Meet with the franchisor This is a crucial stage of the initial enquiry and research phase. Meeting with the franchisor is an opportunity to ask the questions that you may not have found answers to during any online research. And don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to – it’s in the franchisor’s best interests for you to be completely satisfied with your investment. At the end of the day, a franchisor’s success is wholly reliant on the dedication of their franchisees and their success, so finding the prospects that are truly capable of following the model and committing to the brand will be their number one priority. Step three: Speak with existing franchisees Who better to give you a real insight into the daily operations of the franchise – the positives and pitfalls – than an existing franchisee? And if the franchisor attempts to manage which franchisees you speak with then proceed with caution – what are they trying to hide? Use this as an opportunity to ask the nitty gritty questions that the franchisor may not be as well placed to comment on – like what, if any, additional operational processes they’ve put in place to increase productivity, how to spot the key talented individuals in their business and, obviously, what their relationship with their franchisor is like. Step four: Due diligence including territory mapping Most franchise opportunities will allocate you an exclusive territory to protect the customer base that you will go on to create and grow – this is a key part of their commitment to your investment. If you decide to invest in an existing franchise where a franchisee is vacating, the parameters of that territory should already be established and you’ll have the chance to maximise the return from a good client base. But bear in mind that this isn’t necessarily the case across the board - some franchise brands don’t warrant the need for exclusive territories at all. At Petpals, our franchisees’ territories are completely protected, as this is an essential element when growing your franchise. Step five: Business plan A business plan is an essential step for any entrepreneur and vital to your success. Your franchisor will equip you with a whole host of information – like start-up and running costs – and will then happily support you to put together your business plan, as it’s very likely they will have supported the other franchisees in the network to write theirs. Your business plan must include factually correct information relating to the description and overview of the busines and service – particularly as you’ll be operating within the parameters of your franchise agreement. You will also need to include a comprehensive marketing plan, proof of detailed due diligence and market research – carried out by you, the franchisee – a detailed financial management plan and your projected growth within the first five years. And because you’re investing in a management-style franchise, even though you could be working hands on, initially you should provide detailed information about your employee structure and how you’re proposing to develop the business day-to-day. Step six: Secure funding Before you can even consider investing in a franchise, you’ll need to ensure you have access to the required liquid capital to get the business off the ground. This funding could come from your own personal savings, or you may need to look into borrowing from a lender. Franchising is usually seen as less of a risky investment by banks – especially those used to working with franchise brands. Contact one of the leading high street banks – most of which have experience of working with franchises – to explore your options. Step seven: Search for talent As the name suggests, at the core of developing and growing your business, you will be managing other people. Therefore, recruiting the right team of people to deliver your service or product is crucial. Although the decision will ultimately be down to you, any quality franchisor will offer guidance on how to recognise talent at interview stage. It’s also imperative that you feel comfortable with the interview process in its entirety; this is also something your franchisor can help with. Utilise their experience in successful recruitment and call on them for advice where it’s needed. Step eight: Marketing & PR - including launch programme From the moment of investment, there should be a whole host of brand profile-raising marketing materials at your disposal, before, during and long after the launch of your business. It’s a given that this activity is especially crucial in the weeks surrounding your launch or official takeover date. But what franchisors can offer you does differ from brand to brand. Some franchisors may take the lead entirely and guarantee you initial business leads and others may have a defined set of activities where you take responsibility for ensuring they’re completed. Step nine: Ongoing talent management At the end of the day, quality recruitment is a marathon, not a sprint. Getting the right team in place is a balancing act and to keep quality loyal staff requires a great workplace culture where people feel rewarded. So, keeping on top of your people management and development is imperative. Although your franchisor won’t be working on your business with you on a daily basis, they’ll give you the tools to recognise trends and monitor progress, ultimately highlighting when you’ll need to ramp up recruitment efforts as your business grows and provide guidance and advice along the way. Step ten: Review business plan including exit strategy planning. Ongoing support should be available throughout the lifecycle of your franchise, including the time at which you choose to plan for retirement or move on to pastures new. A quality franchisor will ask you what your ultimate aim is from becoming a franchisee before you invest. At Petpals, we’re proud to have honest, ongoing conversations with our franchisees about their options when they do choose to plan their business exit. In some cases, they’ll have already found a suitable prospect to take over from them. Otherwise, we’re happy to support sourcing a replacement so that you get the best possible return on your investment. By following this step-by-step process, your initial journey into owning a management-style franchise should be smooth sailing. Think of this 10-point checklist as your starting point to guide you through your shortlist of franchise opportunities and onwards through your investment. Kevin Thackrah is Director of Petpals, the UK’s largest multi-service pet care franchise. Petpals has been helping franchisees achieve their goals for over 20 years. In a UK market where 59% of all households own a pet, including 12.5 million dogs, 12.2 million cats and another 8.1 million small pets*, their services are in high demand. * Pet Food Manufacturers Association’s Pet Population report 2021 An exciting new look for the UK's original pet sitting franchise! - 01-July-2021 Petpals, the UK’s largest multi-service pet care franchise, has been caring for much-loved pets across the nation for two decades. In that time, the brand has supported franchisees from all walks of life to realise their dreams of business ownership. With more people than ever owning pets – thanks, in part, to the months spent at home during lockdown – new demand for the services provided by Petpals has never been as 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 your 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% 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 a classic favourite 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. But one thing hasn’t changed for the team at Petpals - their commitment to excellence when it comes to caring for animals. “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 their 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.” Are you that person? Petpals in Double Award Finals Success! - 01-September-2020 Two Petpals franchisees are celebrating reaching the finals of the national Pet Industry Federation awards. With roots that go back to the late 1940’s the Pet Industry Federation represents five specialist pet trade associations. They provide a quality assurance of businesses in the sector, with all members agreeing to adhere to their charters, which represent best practice for the different associations. The awards celebrate success across a wide range of products, services, companies and individuals and provide a platform to recognise excellence and innovation in the pet industry. Of the 16 award categories available to enter, Petpals Darlington & Yarm, owned by David and Sallyann Gray, reached the finals of the ‘Pet Service Business of the Year’ category and Petpals Chislehurst, owned by Sandra and Ray Hipwell are finalists in the ‘New Business of the Year’ category. Petpals is a franchise organisation with over 50 independently owned businesses, caring for pets across the UK and is full member of the British Franchise Association. David and Sallyann Gray commented: ‘We are proud to have reached the finals of these national awards. It is great recognition that we have our business model correct and are providing the quality and professionalism that we strive to achieve every day. We have always maintained that to be good Petpals franchisees you must not only love animals, but you must also know how to run a good business. We are not the biggest Petpals territory in the network, but we do focus very heavily on our staff and business practices, which has helped us become one of the most successful. ‘We also work hard to engage with the wider business community on a local level. We have recently been instrumental in working with Darlington Borough Council and local businesses, to ensure the PSPO’s (Public Space Protection Orders) are applied fairly and we are immensely proud to have had a leading role in the creation of a new working group – a partnership with the council, to deliver an educational programme for the benefit of all residents, in what is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.’ Petpals Chislehurst is owned by Ray and Sandra Hipwell. Sandra is an accountant and Ray was previously a driver trainer for the London Fire Brigade. They bought their franchise in late 2018 which they run together. ‘We are blown away to have reached the finals of the ‘New Business of the Year’ category. From almost the moment we opened our doors at Petpals Chislehurst it has been completely non-stop. We had clients making bookings before we got back from delivering our first batch of flyers during our launch week with the Petpals regional support manager! Head office helped us so much in those early days, guiding us through the launch with marketing and advertising advice that we simply didn’t know about. ‘We were delighted to win ‘Best Start-Up Franchise’ at the 2018 Petpals conference and runner-up in the ‘Most Improved Franchise Performer’ in 2020. Although we’ve been asked many times, we don’t think there is a ‘secret’ to our success, we simply put the pets first every time and their owners appreciate this. It is important to us that every time we visit a cat or small animal or walk or board a dog, they have a really positive experience. ‘We have many clients who are key workers, who we kept walking for during the Corona Virus pandemic. These clients knew they could rely on us to care for their pets, as their own, while they went to work for the NHS at the height of the pandemic; we believe it is this kind of dedication and professionalism that sets us apart from our competitors. If we were lucky enough to win the award we know our clients would be thrilled for us, it would be the icing on the cake after a spectacular start and we’re crossing all our fingers we can bring the trophy home for Petpals Chislehurst.’ MD of Petpals Kevin Thackrah said: ‘To have not one but two of our franchisees in the finals of these prestigious national awards is excellent news and something we at head office, and indeed across the entire network, are very proud of. It is notable that they represent both a new and more established franchise which is good to see. People are never just a number at Petpals, they are part of the Petpals family and we support them all in just the same way both from our highly experienced staff at head office, to our supportive network of 50+ franchisees. I wish them both well in the finals and look forward to celebrating their success in the near future.’ To learn more about a franchise opportunity with Petpals click here! Petpals franchisee takes "stock" and buys new territory - 25-August-2020 David and Sallyann Gray, owners of Petpals Darlington and Yarm, one of the most successful franchises in the Petpals network and winners of the Top Franchise award in 2019 Petpals internal awards, have recently expanded their pet care empire, acquiring Petpals Stockton, which they had previously sold eight years ago. The couple who currently employ over 20 staff, will now have territories that cover over 100 square miles from the west of Darlington to the east of Stockton on Tees. The new territory, Petpals Stockton, will be offering the full range of Petpals pet care services, including dog walking and boarding, cat visits and small animal visits and boarding. Owner David said, ‘We had previously sold Petpals Stockton to Christine Duncan back in 2012 so we could focus more on Darlington and Yarm; lockdown gave Sal and I time to reflect on our business and both firmly decided we wanted to expand, so when Christine mentioned she was ready to sell the territory, it seemed the obvious answer to buy it and bring it back into the family.’ Talking about the hand-over Sallyann said, ‘It has been great getting back in touch with some of our old clients who we left with the business eight years ago and who are still clients today. We are hoping for a fairly seamless transition as Christine is going to remain as our dog walking manager, along with her two members of staff who are currently on flexible furlough.’ Commenting on the challenges of the past five months of the Corona Virus pandemic David said, ‘This has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging times of our business lives but despite everyone’s business levels being down, we’ve continued to take on new clients every month and are optimistic that we’ll be back to full strength soon. We have established strict protocols regarding caring for pets safely during the pandemic, from basic hygiene measures to hand over and collection systems. We leave nothing to chance and want to reassure people that we take the health of our clients, staff and pets extremely seriously.’ Sallyann said, ‘Being part of a franchise has really helped us weather the COVID-19 storm. The support we received from Head Office during lockdown was great, keeping us informed about latest guidance from DEFRA and the Government and guiding us through the financial support options available plus, just having the ability to pick up the phone to one of our fellow Petpals franchisees, to discuss routes forward, furloughing staff, or simply to offload and have a chat helped us both enormously; it would have been tough to go it alone.’ MD of Petpals Kevin Thackrah said, ‘David and Sallyann are a great example to all franchisees. They are 100% committed to their staff, their clients, the pets and ultimately, their business. They are wonderful ambassadors for the Petpals brand and are unfailingly generous in their support of everyone in the network, sharing their knowledge with everyone. ‘COVID-19 has indeed been a very challenging time for many but as ever David and Sallyann have taken it in their stride, adapting and amending as we all learn to work with this ‘new normal’, a true reflection of their professionalism.’ Double anniversary celebrations for Petpals! - 24-June-2020 Two Petpals businesses are celebrating work anniversaries. Petpals Romsey and Winchester are celebrating their fifth anniversary of caring for pets, while Petpals Darlington are celebrating three members of staff having been with the company for ten years each. Petpals is a franchise organisation with over 50 independently owned businesses caring for pets across the UK. Petpals is a full member of the British Franchise Association, committed to ethical franchising. Petpals Romsey and Winchester is owned by husband and wife team Matt and Louise Wilder. Alongside caring for their young family, Matt and Louise spend their days walking dogs and visiting cats and other small pets across their territory. As part of their anniversary they have expanded their business into the Chandler’s Ford and North Baddesley areas. Matt said, ‘We’d like to thank all our clients for allowing us to look after their furry friends for the past five years and we look forward to more walks, love and cuddles over the next five. We strive hard to always be the best and we think it is our commitment to high standards that sets us apart from the rest.’ Petpals Darlington & Yarm is run by another husband and wife team Sally Ann and David Gray. One of the largest businesses in the Petpals network, the couple, who bought the business over 14 years ago, employ approximately 20 local people to visit over 3,000 pet clients a year across the Darlington and Yarm region. Recently, they presented Rachael Pattinson, Emma Craggs and Lynn Stevens with bouquets of flowers and promises of a celebratory meal when restaurants reopen, to recognise their tenth anniversaries of working for the pet care business. Director David Gray said, ‘We feel privileged to have Rachael, Emma and Lynn reach this milestone with us; not only have they been with us for ten years each and been an integral part of the growth of our business, they were also determined to carry on working through the Corona Virus crisis, which we are so grateful for.’ Staff member Rachael said, ‘I love my job, and sometimes don’t even see it as work, I love to be outdoors walking the Petpals pooches.’ Managing director of Petpals, Kevin Thackrah said, ‘Our congratulations to Matt, Louise, Sally Anne, David, Rachael, Emma and Lynn on reaching these anniversaries. We are so proud that these businesses are thriving and have such wonderful, loyal staff. We wish them all well for the future and thank them for their hard work, looking after the nation’s pets.’ Read more on the Petpals franchise opportunity Petpals franchise owners pass Ofqual Level 3 Professional Daycare and Boarding Course - 13-August-2019 Petpals franchise owners across the UK are successfully completing the Ofqual Level 3 Professional Daycare and Boarding course. This new qualification will enable them to achieve the ‘Higher Standard’ in the Animal Activity Licensing Regulations, updated by DEFRA in 2018. Licensing now requires that to meet the ‘Higher Standard’, a member of staff with a relevant Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, OFQUAL, regulated Level 3 qualification must be present during the working day at the Day Care or Boarding establishment. Petpals Buxton, Sefton, Leeds North, Hendon and Darlington West are now fully qualified and a further 15 franchise owners are currently taking the course and will qualify soon. Sharren Redmond who started up her Sefton Petpals business in November 2018 says, ‘What a great course; I feel so much more confident and professional in running my Petpals business now. It was a huge amount of work requiring large amounts of research, reading and writing but I loved it and am so glad I am now qualified to the Higher Standard for the benefit of my clients and their dogs. I will of course be sharing my new knowledge, passing on the relevant information to my team so we can all benefit from the course.’ She continued, ‘Although I have been a dog owner myself for many years and thought I knew everything there was to know about caring for a dog, the course makes you look at things from a very different perspective. I had to learn about a wide variety of dog care subjects, from what different breeds of dog are like, how they play and interact with other dogs, to warning signs from a behavioural point of view. My customers often ask me ‘why does my dog do xyz..’ and now I can tell them. The course has really sparked my desire to know more and I wouldn’t rule out doing a dog-behaviourist qualification in the future.’ Kevin Thackrah, MD of Petpals said: ‘We are delighted that Sharren, Deborah, Lisa, Mike, Chrissy and Sallyann have completed their Ofqual Level 3 Professional Daycare and Boarding Course qualification. As an industry we are overrun with people starting up dog walking and dog boarding businesses on a whim, with no previous experience or qualifications and we embrace and welcome any and all efforts to raise the standards in our industry. Even before the new regulations, all of our franchises were, and always have been CRB checked, insured and have taken a Dog Handling Skills and Pet First Aid course. We are pleased that Petpals Sefton, Buxton, Leeds North, Hendon and Darlington Wet will now be qualified to the Higher Standard for boarding and dog care, with many others following on in the next few weeks.’ Petpals launches new 'Easy Start' purchase scheme - 22-February-2019 BFA member Petpals, the UK’s largest multi-service pet care franchise, has launched a scheme to make purchasing one of their franchise business easier than ever. Under the new ‘Easy Start’ scheme, anyone buying a Petpals franchise will only be required to pay a fee to cover the costs of initial training and launch marketing, with the remainder of the £12,500 (+VAT) spread over the rest of the franchise term (usually five years). Kevin Thackrah, MD of Petpals explains, ‘At Petpals we have been helping franchisees start up and run their own profitable, sustainable pet care businesses for over 17 years now; with ‘Easy Start’ we’re looking forward to helping more people to join us and to share in the success and strength of the UK pet care market.’ He continued, ‘We fully appreciate that people don’t always have the up-front funds to purchase a franchise and it’s testament to our confidence in our brand and to the potential for success for our new franchisees, that we’re able to offer this new scheme today. I very much hope that anyone who would like to own their own business and to regain control of their working life by doing a job that they love, will visit our website to find out more.’ Petpals franchisees own their own exclusive territories from where they board and walk dogs, visit cats and any other pets while their owners are at work or on holiday. If available, franchisees have the option to purchase additional adjoining territories. Currently 17.5% of franchisees own one or more franchise territories. Petpals are full members of the bfa and are committed to ethical franchising. If you would like more information about the ‘Easy Start’ scheme please request more details here! Petpals franchisee purchases third territory! - 28-September-2018 A Petpals franchisee is buying their third territory to satisfy an increased demand for their services in Derbyshire. Husband and wife team Dave and Fiona Wallis, who bought their first franchise Petpals Amber Valley in 2007, expanded into Petpals Matlock Belper in 2017 and are now adding Petpals North Erewash to their books, opening in October 2018. Petpals is the largest multi-service pet care franchise in the UK. Members of the bfa since 2001, they have over 50 franchisees offering a full range of pet care services from dog boarding and walking to cat visits and small pet sitting. Commenting on the expansion, Dave, who also races a fully branded Petpals ‘Formula VEE’ racing car at weekends, said, ‘Since our launch in 2007 we have focussed on delivering the very best service to our clients and their pets; this expansion is testament to our team’s hard work and professionalism and the reputation they have worked so hard to achieve, something we are all very proud of. He continued, ‘We found that we were getting enquiries from further and further afield from people wanting us to look after their pets while they were at work or on holiday; it didn’t take long until we realised we had to buy this new territory and expand the business.’ Fiona and Dave are hoping to take on more staff in due course, to cope with the increase in clients. As with all Petpals franchisees, the couple and their son Jay, who also works in the family-run business, are genuine pet-lovers, owning two dogs, a horse and a handful of hens at their Alfreton home. On the benefits of owning a franchise operation Fiona said, ‘We have no doubt that our business has expanded more rapidly because we are part of a franchise operation than it would have had we set up our own. Head office have given us great support from day one; they are always on hand with help and advice plus we have 50+ other franchisees to talk to via our Facebook group, if we don’t know the answer, one of them definitely will! She continued, ‘Being part of a nationally recognised brand is really important to us and as a Petpals franchisee we know that our website is kept regularly updated with fresh content, which in turn means people will find us more easily when they search for a pet carer on the internet. They also run PR and marketing campaigns, all of which means we get to spend more time caring for pets and earning money and less time worrying about websites and SEO, all of which suits us perfectly.’ Their employees liked it so much, they bought the business! - 05-January-2018 Sarah Richardson owner of Petpals Stockport for the last fourteen years, recently sold her franchise to two former employees. Sarah (55), bought her Petpals franchise following a long-term, management role with a mail-order company. She left when fluctuating markets found her having to make people redundant on a regular basis, which made her rethink what she really wanted out of life. She convinced her boss to add her to the list of redundancies and, on the advice of a financial advisor, looked at franchising opportunities in the UK. Following intense research via the bfa (British Franchise Association), Sarah used her redundancy money to buy Petpals Stockport in 2003. Fast forward to 2017 and Sarah has now divided up the business into three new territories and sold Poynton and Stockport East to Ian and Linda Parker and Petpals Stockport and Petpals Cheadle and Bramhall to Claire Hurr. Sarah explains why she sold the business, ‘Right from the very beginning my plan has always been to build up the business then sell it, so this is simply the final step in the plan. I worked very hard for 14 years, I had built the business up to where I wanted it to be, I’d sacrificed much of my personal life but this is what it was all for, eventual financial freedom and the chance to spend more time doing the things I wanted to do. She continued, ‘I had some family issues last year that made me realise time with our loved ones is very precious so that, plus a desire to buy a house with my partner and spend a bit more time together, made the final decision to sell an easy one. I am delighted that my employees were so committed to the business that they wanted to buy it and could see the potential in taking their respective territories to new heights.’ A few years ago Sarah also took on the extra role as northern operations manager for Petpals, using her vast experience to help other franchisees in the north of the country, a role that she will be continuing for the foreseeable future. Petpals recognise top franchisees at annual conference - 03-February-2017 National pet care franchise Petpals, recognised their top performing franchisees at the company’s annual franchise conference recently. With over 50 franchisees, Petpals is one of the largest pet-care franchises in the UK. The conference gave franchisees an opportunity to hear from managing director Kevin Thackrah about the overall financial performance of the network and strategic plans for 2017. The company’s public relations and digital analytics agencies also gave presentations on 2016’s PR and social media campaigns and the resulting traffic through to the company’s new website. As part of the conference, franchisees were invited to suggest topics for presentations they would like to hear and subsequently attended a variety of workshops, such as recognising and dealing with aggressive behaviour in dogs, accounting software and the implementation of cloud-based pet care customer relationship management systems. During the conference, Kevin Thackrah announced the names of the top performing franchisees for 2016: Top Performing Franchisees 1. Peter Martin, Petpals Chelmsford, Maldon and Danbury 2. Sallyann and David Gray, Petpals Darlington and Yarm 3. Clare Stafford, Petpals Fleet Fastest Growing Franchises · Nigel Ham and Emma Read, Petpals York · Lisa Smith, Petpals Leeds North · Jean Wilson, Petpals Richmond and Northallerton Kevin Thackrah, managing director of Petpals said, ‘As ever all our franchisees have performed brilliantly but it is only right that we should recognise our top achievers. Many congratulations to all of our award winners for their efforts and we look forward to seeing some more great achievements in 2017.’ He continued, ‘Our annual conference is the highlight of the year for us; not only are we able to give our franchisees facts and figures presentations on the performance of the network, tell them how PR, marketing and social media have affected traffic to their website and give them the chance to attend workshops, specifically designed to help them build and strengthen their businesses, but almost more importantly, it gives them the opportunity to spend an entire weekend with fellow franchisees, building relationships, offering and receiving advice, mutual support, sharing best practice and generally talking ‘shop’, safe in the knowledge that they are not in competition with one another, something most small business owners can only dream of. We are looking forward to a prosperous 2017 with a fully engaged franchise network behind us and a bright future ahead of us.’ Petpals franchise bucks the trend with female franchisees - 14-August-2009 While the government grapples with new ways to encourage women to set up in business, one company is bucking the trend with 71% of its franchises run by females. National pet services company, Petpals, has 45 franchises stretching from the South coast of England to Aberdeen in North East Scotland. More than 70 per cent of the specialist pet care businesses are owned by women, with 57 per cent solely run by the fairer sex. This compares markedly with research by the Federation of Small Business* showing that just 14% of businesses are either wholly-owned or majority-owned by women. One of the most successful Petpals’ franchises are also run by women with Clare Needham behind the top-performing operation in Fleet, Hampshire. See attached case study. Petpals provides specialist care for all domestic pets and a real alternative to boarding kennels and catteries with its professional pet sitting, dog walking and pet boarding services. Managing Director of Petpals (UK), Kevin Thackrah, commented: “We are particularly pleased to be bucking the trend when it comes to the number of women running successful Petpals franchises. The cornerstone of Petpals’ success is, after all, down to the expertise and enthusiasm of our franchisees.” Pet ownership is on the increase in the UK with 27 million pets owned throughout Britain, equating to almost one in two households having a pet. Dogs are still the most popular with 5.7million households including a canine companion. Cats come in second with 4.8 million homes having a feline friend Petpals Franchise News Feed Last updated: 19-November-2021
