Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash Target 20+ New US Stores Per Year, Citing Pet Spending CAGR of 4.96% Through 2031

Executive Summary: Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash, two of the largest U.S. pet retail franchise systems, announced plans in early 2026 to open more than 20 new stores annually for the next several years, building on the 30+ franchise agreements signed and 18 stores opened in 2025. The brands, which became an independent entity in December 2025 following an inaugural securitization transaction, also reported recycling 100,000+ lbs of pet product packaging through TerraCycle and helping 28,546 dogs and cats find forever homes in 2025. The expansion targets the U.S. specialty pet franchise segment, which has become the most active channel for pet retail unit growth.

Key Facts

Companies

Pet Supplies Plus / Wag N’ Wash

Country

United States

Industry

Pet retail franchise

Category

Retail Expansion

Event

2026 franchise expansion plan

Date

2026-01 (early 2026 outlook)

Location

Livonia, Michigan, USA

Source

PETS+ Magazine / Wag N’ Wash / Pet Supplies Plus press release

What Happened

Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash, the two largest specialty pet retail franchise systems in the U.S., announced plans in early 2026 to open more than 20 new stores annually for the next several years. The expansion builds on a strong 2025: 30+ franchise agreements signed, 18 stores opened (seven of which were in new markets), and a combined 100,000+ pounds of pet product packaging recycled through the partnership with TerraCycle.

The two brands became an independent entity following an inaugural securitization transaction in December 2025, a structural change designed to support accelerated franchise development, simplified operations, and a unified growth strategy.

Background

Pet Supplies Plus, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, currently operates over 725 stores across the U.S. The brand has ranked as the highest-ranking pet retail franchise on Entrepreneur Magazine’s’s Franchise 500 list for 12 consecutive years, holding the #31 position on the 2026 list. Wag N’ Wash, the companion brand focused on natural pet food and grooming, made its debut on the Franchise 500 list in 2026 at #458.

U.S. pet retail is dominated by three channel types: corporate chains (Petco, PetSmart, Chewy), specialty franchise systems (Pet Supplies Plus, Wag N’ Wash, Dogtopia, BarkBox, Camp Bow Wow), and independent stores. The specialty franchise channel has been the fastest-growing segment in terms of new store openings since 2022, fueled by lower entry barriers, co-location flexibility, and the post-pandemic “pet humanization” tailwind.

Industry Context

U.S. pet industry spending reached an estimated $159 billion in 2025 according to APPA, up 6.2% year-on-year, with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the next five years forecast at 4.96%. The largest growth segments within pet retail are premium food (especially fresh and fresh-format), grooming services, and pharmacy/veterinary services. U.S. household pet ownership now sits at 71% of households (approximately 92 million homes), with pet category spending growing faster than overall consumer spending for the sixth consecutive year.

The U.S. specialty pet franchise channel is projected to add more than 300 net new stores between 2026 and 2028, led by Pet Supplies Plus, Wag N’ Wash, Dogtopia, and Camp Bow Wow. Independent pet stores are consolidating: an estimated 200-300 independent pet stores close or are absorbed by franchise systems each year.

Market & Business Impact

Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash’s expansion plans reflect continued confidence in the U.S. pet retail growth story. With more than 20 stores per year combined, the two systems will account for an estimated 6-7% of all U.S. pet retail store openings over the next three years. The franchise model allows for accelerated unit growth without the corporate capital expenditure of opening company-owned stores, but requires robust franchisee support infrastructure.

For B2B suppliers and brand owners, the expansion means deeper shelf presence at franchise locations — Pet Supplies Plus stores typically carry 5,000-7,000 SKUs per location — and expanded distribution for premium pet food brands, grooming products, and accessories. The 2025 TerraCycle recycling milestone (100,000 lbs of packaging recycled) also signals growing consumer demand for sustainable pet product packaging, particularly among millennial and Gen Z pet owners.

Companies & Brands Involved

Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash operate as sister brands within the same parent entity. CEO Chris Rowland leads both brands, with Nick Russo as Chief Development Officer. The brands’ combined 2025 footprint: 725+ Pet Supplies Plus stores and 145+ Wag N’ Wash locations. Key partnerships include TerraCycle (packaging recycling) and national adoption partners through Petco Love-style community adoption initiatives.

Major competitors in U.S. specialty pet franchise: Dogtopia (dog daycare franchise, 220+ locations), Camp Bow Wow (dog daycare and boarding, 180+ locations), BarkBox (subscription DTC, not franchise-based), and Petland (corporate specialty retail).

Data & Evidence

Pet Supplies Plus current store count: 725+ (as of January 2026). Wag N’ Wash current store count: 145+ (as of January 2026). 2025 franchise agreements signed: 30+. 2025 stores opened: 18 (7 in new markets). 2025 packaging recycled via TerraCycle: 100,000+ lbs. 2025 pets adopted: 28,546 (exceeded 20,000 target). 2026 Franchise 500 rank — Pet Supplies Plus: #31 (12th consecutive year top pet retailer). 2026 Franchise 500 rank — Wag N’ Wash: #458 (debut). 2026-2031 U.S. pet spending CAGR: 4.96% (APPA projection).

What This Means for the Pet Industry

Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash’s expansion plans confirm that the U.S. specialty pet franchise segment is the most dynamic growth channel in pet retail. Where corporate chains (Petco, PetSmart) are consolidating stores and refocusing on services, franchise systems are opening new locations at a faster clip, leveraging franchisee capital and local owner engagement.

For independent pet retailers, the franchise wave is a clear competitive threat. For suppliers and brand owners, the expansion represents both an opportunity (more shelf space) and a responsibility (franchisees typically demand stronger brand support, training, and marketing co-investment than corporate chains).

Key Takeaways

• Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash announced plans to open more than 20 new stores annually over the next several years, building on 30+ franchise agreements and 18 store openings in 2025.
• Pet Supplies Plus ranked #31 on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500 list (12th consecutive year top pet retailer); Wag N’ Wash debuted at #458.
• The brands became an independent entity in December 2025 following an inaugural securitization transaction, supporting accelerated franchise development.
• 2025 milestones included 100,000+ lbs of pet product packaging recycled via TerraCycle and 28,546 dogs and cats helped through adoption partnerships.
• U.S. pet spending is projected to grow at a 4.96% CAGR through 2031, supporting continued franchise expansion in the U.S. specialty pet retail channel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. Primary – PETS+ Magazine, https://petsplusmag.com/pet-supplies-plus-and-wag-n-wash-build-on-sustained-momentum-to-drive-continued-growth/amp/, January 2026
2. Secondary – Wag N’ Wash Franchising, https://wagnwashfranchising.com/?p=4545, January 2026

Related News & GPI Data

• Company Page: Pet Supplies Plus on GlobalPetIndex
• Company Page: Wag N’ Wash on GlobalPetIndex
• Company Page: Dogtopia on GlobalPetIndex
• Country: Pet Industry in the United States
• Category: Pet Retail
• Related Coverage: Jollyes UK Expansion