Top Pet Franchises of 2026 (UPDATED RANKINGS)

This annual list of the top pet franchises was revised for 2026.

Once upon a time, human relationships with animals were functional. We kept cows for milk and chickens for eggs, dogs to protect property and livestock, horses for transport, cats to keep down pests, even pigeons to carry messages. These days, instead of working animals they’re our pets, and Americans spend billions of dollars each year looking after them. This has led to the birth of a whole range of franchised businesses.

Animals in America

66% of US households had a pet in 2023. This is around average for the past decade. While pet ownership is down from a peak of 70% in 2020, when people turned to pets for company and comfort during the height of the Covid pandemic, it’s significantly up from where we were 15 years ago, which was itself higher than the 56% pet ownership of the late 1980s.

Those figures don’t even paint the whole picture, as a third of Americans have more than one pet. This provides more business for franchises, which can double or more their sales to a single customer as they gain more pets.

97% of pet owners view their pet as part of the family, and that means that they’ll go a long way to keep them fed, healthy, and happy. 39% of dog owners live on a tighter budget to afford their companion, and significant proportions have accepted worse jobs or ended relationships to make space in their lives for them.

Which Pets and Where?

Dogs are the most popular pets, living in 65 million US households. This is good news for pet franchises as dogs are, on average, larger than many other pets and more biologically complex. This increases the costs of food and medicine. Their bulk and rowdy behavior means that they also wear through toys, beds, and other comforts at a faster rate.

Dogs are followed in popularity by cats and then freshwater fish, but the balance is shifting. Cat ownership is increasing while dog ownership is decreasing, as people turn to lower maintenance pets. This may be connected to urban living, as cats are easier than dogs to keep in a constrained space. Pet ownership is highest in rural areas, where 71% of adults have a pet, but lots of city people enjoy the connection with life that a pet can bring.

Pet owners have proved remarkable in their willingness to pay for services for their animal companions. While many expenses are essential, there are plenty of others that can appeal to those with money to spare. For example, 27% of pet owners have paid for professional photos of their pets.

The Finances of the Pet Industry

Revenues for the pet industry reached $147 billion in 2023, an all-time high. This was in part due to the rise in the number of pets over recent decades, partly down to inflation, and partly about what consumers were willing to spend.

There are now signs that growth in the pet industry is slowing, with sales declining in stores. Consumers have become more cautious, making it harder to get them to try new pet products or to accept price rises. Below-average growth is forecast for the next two years, as the consumer base adjusts after the pandemic boom, before an expected increase by 2030.

The biggest area of sales is pet food, which made $58 billion in 2022, with dried dog food by far the largest portion. This was followed by vet care at $35.9 billion, then supplies and over the counter medicine at $31.5 billion. While these provide the biggest opportunities, they’re often covered by existing businesses, but there are other opportunities for an entrepreneur with initiative. For example, 8% of the industry is made up of grooming and boarding services.

While general spending is declining, spending among high-end pet owners has recently grown by around 7%. Good quality food is particularly popular, as owners extend concerns about their own consumption and health onto their pets.

Overall, changes in the pet market are making it less consistent as a single entity. Some parts are growing while others dwindle, depending upon products and customers, so it’s important to research the specific part of the sector you’re thinking of getting into.

Reaching Pet Owners

Two companies take up 49% of the market, but there’s still plenty of space for smaller competitors, with over 100,000 companies active in grooming and boarding alone. Though online purchasing is growing, 80% of pet owners prefer to shop in stores, so a physical presence is valuable.

When it comes to targeting the right market, demographics matter. People aged 18-34 are more likely to get pets than before, and this is the group that usually spends most on its pets, making them a valuable target market. Finding the right channel is important to that targeting, as different audiences pay attention to different places. For example, YouTube has become the prime marketing channel to reach Gen Z pet owners.

Households with incomes above $100,000 are most likely to own pets, so there’s value in targeting high earning areas when possible.

A range of unique selling points are available. 85% of consumers think that pet food companies should be more open about their ingredients and sources, so there’s value in selling healthy and transparent foods. On the other hand, 21% of pet food sales are treats, so there’s also an equivalent to selling folks cake and takeout.

Though a cat won’t notice Christmas, there are opportunities for seasonal marketing. Americans spent an estimated $1.7 billion on their pets for Valentine’s Day in 2023, and the right marketing on these special days can get you into a customer’s awareness ready for the rest of the year.

Whatever service you provide, whichever customers you target, the most important thing is to run a business that shows your own love of pets. After all, these are family members, and their owners want to see them treated that way.

The Top Pet Franchises of 2026

1. Pet Supplies Plus

Pet Supplies Plus carries a full range of supplies for all kinds of pets, including dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, and small pets (hedgehogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, gerbils/hamsters, mice/rates, and rabbits). Each location also offers a full range of grooming services, while select locations have self-service dog wash bays, and some even offer veterinary clinic services.

Founded in 1987 by Jack Berry and Harry Shallop in Redford, Michigan, and franchising since 1990, the number of locations has more than doubled over the past decade from 301 in 2014 to the current total of 727 (down from the previously reported total of 732), of which 225 are company-owned and all are located in the US.

2. Dog Training Elite

Dog Training Elite is an obedience school alternative because customers can schedule in-home training sessions focused on a wide range of pet behavioral issues, including leash and potty training; staying and coming; destructive chewing and digging; stealing food, clothing, or other objects; barking, howling, and whining; food guarding and begging; mouthing, nipping, and playing rough; anxiety and submissive urination; jumping up and hyperactivity; aggression and anxiety; specialized puppy training; and service dog training. Because socialization is also important, group obedience training sessions are held with pets and owners in public places. Their approach to training is known as classic conditioning (also called Pavlovian or respondent conditioning).

Founded by John Mestas in 2011 and franchising since 2015, the number of locations has expanded rapidly in recent years and currently totals 395 (up from the previously reported total of 312), of which none are company-owned and all are located in the US.

3. Wild Birds Unlimited

Wild Birds Unlimited doesn’t try to serve any and all pets. In fact, it doesn’t serve pets at all. As the name indicates, it’s all about birds, but not birds as pets. This is a chain that sells bird-feeding and bird-watching supplies (bird food, feeders, birdhouses, binoculars, bird baths, field guides, and other books about birds). It’s the perfect store for any “bird nerd.” The chain offers online shopping for each store that mimics the in-store experience as closely as possible for each location.

Founded in 1981 by Jim Carpenter in Carmel, Indiana, and franchising since 1983, the number of locations has expanded in recent years from 286 in 2014 to the current total of 364 (up from the previously reported total of 362), of which one is company-owned and 22 are located outside the US.

4. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming offers dog grooming, dog food, dog treats, and other dog products in an environment that is very different from big-box pet retail operations, which end up being chaotic and counterproductive for pets and their parents. They aim for something that feels more like the neighborhood pet store of the past, backed with caring and deep expertise.

Founded by Paul and Cara Allen in 2007 and franchising since 2008, the number of locations has steadily increased in recent years from 94 in 2019 to the current total of 295 (up from the previously reported total of 273), of which none are company-owned and eight are located outside the US.

5. Dogtopia

Dogtopia is a chain of dog daycare, boarding, grooming, and spas, including locations exclusively for corporate customers, just like an employer might have on-site childcare. When in their care, dogs are separated into groups by size for play, socialization, and training. Webcams let owners check on their pets. The company also has a whole program centered around giving employment opportunities to adults with autism.

Founded by Amy Nichols in 2002 and franchising since 2005, the number of locations has expanded rapidly in recent years from 30 in 2014 to the current total of 290 (up from the previously reported total of 271), of which six are company-owned and nine are located outside the US.

6. Petland

Petland sells all kinds of pets, though the selection depends on location, along with a wide variety of pet-related products. Their core mission is “to match the right pet with the right person.” Most locations sell tropical fish, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, domestic birds, puppies, and kittens as a full-service pet retail store.

Founded by Ed Kunzelman in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1967 and franchising since 1971, the number of locations has been on the rise in recent years from 135 in 2014 to the current total of 286 (down from the previously reported total of 319), of which 18 are company-owned and 196 are located outside the US.

7. Camp Bow Wow

Camp Bow Wow is very selective when it comes to accepting new franchisees. Prospects must be demonstrated dog lovers to join the company as a franchisee. This chain supports dog owners with doggy daycare, overnight boarding, training, grooming, in-home pet care, dog walking, and pet waste removal services (the exact array of services will vary by location). Strategically placed webcams in the outdoor play yards allow pet owners to check on their furry friends remotely.

Founded by Heidi Ganahi in Denver, Colorado, in 2000 and franchising since 2003, the number of locations has grown steadily in recent years from 119 in 2014 to the current total of 225 (up from the previously reported total of 220), of which one is company-owned and one is located outside the US.

8. EarthWise Pet Supply

EarthWise Pet Supply is a chain of retail stores where pet owners can find pet food and supplies of all kinds, along with DIY pet-washing stations and grooming services at select locations. The company’s approach to pet food is to mimic as closely as possible the natural diets the animals would eat in the wild. It also focuses on greener options in its pet supplies, featuring many items made from recycled materials.

Founded by the Seitz family in 1977 in Huntington Beach, California, and franchising since 2008, the number of locations has grown slowly but steadily from 32 in 2014 to 214 in 2025 (up from the previously reported total of 198), of which 57 are company-owned and two are located outside the US.

9. Pet Wants

Pet Wants is a chain that capitalizes on pet owners wanting the very best for their four-legged friends. The company produces and delivers fresh, custom-made, highly nutritious pet food made in small batches without the use of any corn, wheat, soy, fillers, sugar, dyes, or animal by-products. Franchisees can choose either a retail store model or a mobile model, with pet food delivery being a major feature of both models.

Founded by Michele Hobbs and Amanda Broughton in 2010 and franchising since 2015, the number of locations currently stands at 162 (up from the previously reported total of 135), of which none are company-owned and all are located in the US.

10. Sit Means Sit Dog Training

Sit Means Sit Dog Training helps pet owners train their puppies and dogs, whether it’s for having an obedient pet, hunting dogs, service dogs, or K-9 unit dogs. Many locations also offer boarding services and sell a variety of dog-related products, including collars. The company founder started making dog-training videos on a daily basis that got millions of views every month, serving as the company’s main draw around the world.

Founded by Fred Hassen in Los Angeles, California, in 2006 and franchising since 2009, the number of locations has steadily climbed from 83 in 2014 to the current total of 154 (down from the previously reported total of 160), of which none are company-owned and one is located outside the US.

11. Aussie Pet Mobile

Aussie Pet Mobile is the leader in mobile pet grooming, handling both dogs and cats in their mobile units (typically large vans). The list of grooming services is similar for both dogs and cats, including clip nails, brush out knots and debris, shampoo in Hydrobath, clean eyes, clean ears, initial rinse, brush/massage in Hydrobath, final rinse, towel dry face, hand blow dry body, trim paw pads, final brush and fluff, light fragrance (with customer approval), and tasty treat for dogs (with customer approval).

Founded in 1996 in Australia, the company moved to the US in 1999 and began franchising throughout North America. The number of locations has been on the rise in recent years from 72 in 2019 to the current total of 152 (up from the previously reported total of 93), of which none are company-owned and all are located in the US.

12. Hounds Town USA

Hounds Town USA is a chain of fully interactive dog daycare, dog (and cat) boarding, and pet spa facilities. There is plenty of room for dogs to run and play, and the dogs are put into groups of similar size and temperament for good socialization. Dogs who are boarding get their own bed in a private “townhouse” or suite. The spa aspect includes a full range of grooming services. There is even a pet taxi service to take dogs home at the end of dog daycare.

Founded by Michael Gould in 2001 and franchising since 2008, the number of locations has grown in recent years from just two in 2014 to the current total of 91 (up from the previously reported total of 66), of which one is company-owned and all are located in the US.

13. Zoom Room

 Zoom Room is a chain of indoor dog training gyms offering obedience training, dog agility, puppy classes, and playgroups. The dog training philosophy and method is what the company calls positive reinforcement dog training, which means rewarding the dog when it does what you want it to do (as opposed to using punishment or negative reinforcement when the dog doesn’t do what you want it to do). It’s training with a spirit of generosity and benevolence. Clicker training and lots of early socialization are focal points as well.

Founded by Mark Van Wye in California in 2007 and franchising since 2009, the number of locations has risen in recent years from a low of nine in 2018 to the current total of 64 (down from the previously reported total of 68), of which four are company-owned and all are located in the US.

An Important Note About Our Methodology

The franchises on this list were ranked according to the number of units in the franchise system. If you are a prospective franchisee searching for franchise opportunities that meet or exceed certain performance benchmarks for sales, profits, and return on investment, please check out this list of America’s Most Lucrative Franchises.