Risk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$315,500 - $1,080,500
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Total US Locations
91
Business Summary
Petland operates retail pet stores under the brand names Petland® or Safari Stan's Pet Center®. These stores offer a wide variety of pets, pet supplies, pet services, and other pet-related items to the general public.
Corporate History
Petland's history dates back to 1967 when Petland of Chillicothe, Inc. was incorporated in Ohio. In 1971, the incorporators formed Petland, Inc., which later merged with Petland of Chillicothe, Inc. in 1973, changing its name to Petland, Inc. The company has operated retail pet stores since 1967 and began offering franchises in 1972. Petland also operates under the names Safari Stan's Pet Center and Aquarium Adventure, with Aquarium Adventure, Inc. having previously offered franchises in a related line of business.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$315,500 - $1,080,500
Franchise Fee (Low)
$25,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$50,000
Royalty %
4.5%
Marketing %
0.5%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$75,000
Equipment Costs (High)
$600,000
Working Capital
$72,500
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Petland has reported net losses for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022. Despite these losses, Petland maintained positive working capital for these periods. However, as of December 31, 2024, Petland was in violation of a tangible net worth financial covenant related to its line of credit, which was subsequently waived by its lender in April 2025.
Financing Details
Petland does not offer direct financing to its franchisees. While the franchisor may assist with business plan development, store development budgets, and loan requests submitted to third-party lenders, franchisees are generally responsible for securing their own financing. Petland does not receive payments for placing financing with lenders, but it reserves the right to do so in the future. Petland may also, but is not obligated to, guarantee franchisee obligations to third parties.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
91
Franchised Units
70
Corporate Units
21
Avg Square Footage
4,000
Franchising Since
1972
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
Yes
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
9
Litigation Summary
Petland has been involved in several legal matters. In 2024, Petland settled a case in Ohio for $3,630.00 regarding a dog purchased from a company-owned store, where the dog allegedly had behavioral and health issues. In 2022, Petland settled a case in West Virginia for $4,500, concerning alleged unlawful sales practices related to a dog from a company-owned store. In 2021, a lawsuit in South Carolina against a franchisee and Petland, Inc. over sick dogs was dismissed for Petland, Inc. In 2020, a claim involving a sick dog purchased from a franchisee was settled by the franchisee, with Petland, Inc. crediting $2,699.99 against royalties. Petland also settled a 2019 case for $4,500 where a plaintiff claimed illness from a dog purchased at a corporate store, and another 2019 case for $4,500 involving a sick puppy from a franchisee. Petland was involved in a trademark dispute with Ahold Delhaize Licensing Sarl regarding its COZY COMPANION mark, which was resolved with a co-existence agreement in March 2020. In June 2022, Petland successfully opposed a trademark application for PETITLAND. As of March 2024, Petland is actively pursuing a cease-and-desist against MFL Group LLC over their PETS LANDING trademark, which is an ongoing matter.
Bankruptcy History
Petland has no bankruptcy history to report.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
20 years
Renewal Term
20 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise, Petland franchisees must provide written notice of their intent to renew between 180 and 365 days before the initial term ends. They must have been in full compliance with all agreements throughout the entire term and demonstrate the financial capacity to operate the store for the renewal term. Franchisees are also required to sign a new franchise agreement, which may have materially different terms than their original contract, execute a general release of claims against Petland, and comply with any retraining and store remodeling requirements.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Petland provides extensive assistance to its franchisees. Before opening, Petland helps with site selection, lease negotiation, and counseling on business plans, budgets, and loan requests. Franchisees receive a detailed merchandise plan and a sample fixture floor plan. Petland offers an initial training program that includes classroom, hands-on, and on-the-job training, with no tuition fee. Grand opening assistance includes a qualified representative at the store for five days before and one week after opening for a fee of $12,500. Franchisees are also provided with reporting forms and a loan of the confidential Operating System and supporting materials. After opening, Petland offers ongoing operational support through periodic field visits, evaluations, and telephone consultations. Petland provides a periodic Marketing Planner, "Club Pet" membership and marketing materials, and supports public information, community service, and children's educational programs. Franchisees receive periodic product selection information, pricing strategies, and merchandising planograms. Periodic training sessions and seminars are available, with one mandatory session required annually and an annual trade show, though no fees are currently charged for these, Petland reserves the right to charge up to $1,500 per day. Petland maintains a national advertising fund and System Websites for advertising and marketing. Additionally, financial reporting services are mandatory for the first 12 months of business at a monthly fee of $450.
Initial Training Hours
156
Training Location
Chillicothe, OH
Ongoing Support
After opening, Petland provides ongoing operational support to its franchisees through periodic visits from representatives who prepare written evaluations on store operations, animal care, merchandising, management skills, and marketing, along with telephone consultations. Petland also supplies a periodic Marketing Planner, "Club Pet" membership and marketing materials, and supports public information, community service, and children's educational programs. Franchisees receive periodic product selection information, pricing strategies, and merchandising programs. Periodic training sessions and seminars are available, with one training session required annually. No fees are currently charged for these continuing sessions, but Petland reserves the right to impose a fee of up to $1,500 per day. Petland maintains a national advertising fund and System Websites for advertising and marketing. Additionally, financial reporting services are mandatory for the first 12 months of business at a monthly fee of $450.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Petland seeks franchisees who are committed to personally participating in the direct operation of their Petland® store business to ensure full compliance with the franchise agreement and maximize sales. Ideal candidates must be capable of precisely executing Petland's operating methods, as well as recruiting and training employees to accurately follow the system under their management and leadership. If a franchisee chooses not to be actively involved, they must appoint a designated manager who attends and successfully completes all mandatory training programs.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Retail
Owner Participation
Hands-On
Territory Type
Limited
Territory Size Requirements
Petland defines its franchise territories by considering demographic factors, local competition, and other existing stores in the area. Each territory typically has an approximate population of 25,000 persons, although this can vary.
Staffing Notes
Petland requires franchisees to hire and train a sufficient number of employees to staff their Petland® store according to franchisor specifications, while exercising their own sound discretion in hiring. Training for employees occurs one week before merchandising week at either a franchisee-owned or mentor franchisee's store. If the franchisee is not actively involved in the business, a designated manager must attend and successfully complete the initial training program and all other mandatory training. Petland does not hire, fire, discipline, or control franchisee employees. Franchisees are also prohibited from soliciting, hiring, retaining, or recruiting employees from another Petland franchisee or from Petland itself without prior written consent. Petland provides periodic training sessions and seminars for management and employees, and may require attendance for certain individuals.