Pets Wonderland Franchise Information
“There has never been a better time to capitalize on an emerging concept and become a part of the growing pet care industry. If you decide to join the Pets Wonderland family in Melbourne, you will find an organisation that is proactive, supportive and helpful. After all, your success is our success!
To ensure you “hit the ground running” in your new business, we provide support and professional guidance in the following areas:”
What Pets Wonderland is all about: What we stand for.
Are you the kind of franchisee we are looking for?: The requirements
Joining us at Pets Wonderland: How to get started as a Pets Wonderland franchisee.
The pet and pet care industry: An overview of the industry.
The business: Our customers, current operation and plans for the future.
The franchising proposition – setup and support: Step by step guide.
What Pets Wonderland is all about
The Pets Wonderland business philosophy is simple: we offer a pet store that really knows its business, that has good relationships with its customers, and that understands and loves pets. We are not a pet supermarket. Our customers come to us for knowledge, personality and a sense of community - not just a sales receipt. Our brand delivers on the promise of personable expertise by only employing people who love pets and understand how important they are. We love pets.
With more and more Australian pet owners looking for professional support in caring for their pet, Pets Wonderland supplies a comprehensive range of products and the service and knowledge to support them. We don’t strive to be a massive pet ‘megamart’ – that would only serve to dilute our connection with our customers, and as such our competitive advantage.
What matters to Pets Wonderland?
- Building strong relationships with our customers
- Supporting pet owners in the effective care and enjoyment of their pets
- Building strong businesses - without financial success we are not able to deliver on our promises to customers or franchisees
- Knowledge - we position ourselves as the pet store that knows more. Ongoing learning and training is critical to our business model
Sound like the sort of business you're interested in?
Contact our franchising manager to find out more.
Download a franchise application form (PDF 265kb)
Are you the kind of franchisee we are looking for?
We find that the most successful franchisees have:
- Great energy and an enthusiasm to learn
- A strong desire to ‘be your own boss’, but also a frank understanding of the challenges involved
- A belief in the value of a strong brand, and commitment to the power of the ‘group’ to assist the ‘individual’
- Persistence
- Terrific people-management skills
- A love of ‘helping people’, both customers and employees
It is not essential to have worked in the pet care industry, or to have run your own business, although both of these experiences would provide a useful grounding. Pets Wonderland offers comprehensive training and ongoing support so that people with these core attributes can make a successful transition to franchisee.
So what’s the next step?
If this sounds like you, let’s talk. Contact our franchising manager.
Download a franchise application form (PDF 265kb)
Joining us at Pets Wonderland
Pets Wonderland welcomes your interest in becoming a franchisee. Give us a call and let’s talk. Click here for contact details.
When you join this growing industry with a Pets Wonderland franchise it may be your first time running your own business. We understand the operational challenges and opportunities that you will face, and will provide intensive training in all aspects of running the business. You will be taught the proven Pets Wonderland business model. This will allow you to make a more sophisticated and informed entry into the world of business.
Download a franchise application form (PDF 265kb)
The pet and pet care industry
- Australia, as in many developed countries, has seen a strong increase in the business of caring for pets
- The growth of the market has led to increases in the sophistication and range of products available
- Providing for pets has moved from a position of ‘what do I have to buy to sustain them’ to ‘how can I spoil them’
- A greater segment of the market is becoming prepared to pay top dollar for their pet products and the industry is becoming increasingly lucrative
- More owners are looking to shop at specialist pet shops, where once supermarkets did more of this business
- In short, the industry in Australia is growing larger and more lucrative by the day
Want to find out more?
Contact our franchising manager to find out more about how Pets Wondserland is growing with the pet care industry.
Download a franchise application form (PDF 265kb)
The business
Background/History
- Pets Wonderland had its foundation in Melbourne. We are best known for our shop on the corner of Chapel & High Streets in Prahran, where it has been located for the past 15 years. The store was previously operated from a smaller premises a few doors away by the owner, Diana Lewis who purchased the business in 1972. The business continues to be operated by the Lewis family to this day.
- Staff from the original operation had such confidence in the business model and strength of the industry that each now owns their own franchise.
- Today there are Pets Wonderland stores in 7 other locations apart from the pet shop at 184 Chapel St and the aquarium at 182 Chapel St in Prahran.
- We have a mix of company owned stores, each with their own Manager, and franchised stores the owners of which are former Pets Wonderland staff members.
- At Pets Wonderland the emphasis is on product rather than livestock, but the following pets are usually available for sale: Puppies, Kittens, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Mice, Rats, Birds, Hermit Crabs and Aquarium Fish.
- All puppies and kittens are vaccinated, micro chipped and checked by a veterinary surgeon prior to sale and are guaranteed in writing to be in good health as required by law.
- Stores are equipped with good sized comfortable enclosures for all the animals, fish and birds. Every effort is made to ensure the well-being of all the pets in the shops.
- Staff are well trained in animal care and nutrition, so are able to confidently advise customers about available products.
- The stock is purchased from pet wholesale companies and manufacturers throughout Australia, which provide an extensive range of products for every aspect of pet care.
- Shops usually trade 7 days a week, weekends tending to be the busiest.
- All stores are equipped with computer systems for sales, ordering and stock control. The programme used is MYOB Retail Manager.
Who are our customers?
Whilst pet owners can be a wide and varied lot, there is no doubt that the DINKS (Double Income No Kids) segment, along with middle to upper income couples and singles are amongst our biggest spenders. Traditional nuclear families are also a big part of our business, as good pet experiences as a child can be the foundation for a lifetime of pet ownership.
Current operation
Click here to see our current stores and locations.
Plans for the future
- Continued expansion through the attraction of new franchisees.
- Continued development of in-store initiatives to constantly enhance the buyer’s experience.
- Continued examination of new marketing opportunities, especially social media and web-based initiatives.
- Continued promotion of new Pets Wonderland brand to cement our position as the #1 destination for pet lovers.
So what next?
If you'd like to be a part of Pets Wonderland's future success, contact our franchising manager.
Download a franchise application form (PDF 265kb)
The franchising proposition – setup and support
1. Site selection
- We will help you to analyse the demographic profile for prospective store sites.
- We will help you select the best store design and fit-out to satisfy functional, customer ease and aesthetic requirements.
2. Lease negotiation
- We will negotiate the best deal possible for all leases on your behalf, while maintaining full consultation with yourself.
3. Stocking the store
- You will be able to take advantage of our bulk buying power, thereby significantly reducing the costs to you as compared to ‘going it alone’.
- We will help you with the physical stocking of your store, providing practical assistance to you and your team.
4. Training
- Initial training in all aspects of running the business, including managing franchises and their personnel.
- Business management skills, using the Pets Wonderland systems and business tools, product and presentation, local store marketing, inventory management and stock control, food hygiene and safety, labour management and setting of financial goals.
- Teaming you up with on-the-job training support in the first weeks of operation
5. Launch
- Marketing support e.g. direct mail.
- Tried and true marketing templates.
6. Ongoing support
- Ongoing product and systems training as required.
- Ability to access assistance from a Head Office that is committed to your success.
- Ongoing communication - support is only a phone call away.
- We have negotiated great financial incentives for your staff, which are paid by suppliers. We have a superannuation scheme specially formulated for Pets Wonderland. We have great insurance cover for your business and home, all managed by a well-known broker. These are just a sample of the incentives offered to Pets Wonderland franchisees.
- Operations manual, DVDs and support materials
To begin the exciting new phase of your life as a successful Pets Wonderland franchisee, contact today on 03 8320 7010.
Download a franchise application form (PDF 265kb)