Retailer Focus: Kahoots

The road to operating 24 brick and mortar store locations—with two more under construction—that serve pet owners throughout Southern California and Arizona began with a local hay delivery service. For nearly 40 years, Kahoots Feed & Pet Co-Founders Mike Bittinger and Ethan Tunnell have refined their approach to serving local communities while staying true to their original business model of putting family and pet’s health and happiness at the forefront. 

“Your pet’s health and happiness is our mission,” Bittinger and Tunnell promise on the company’s website. 

And they have stayed true to their objective. Operating under two store formats—pet and feed & pet, Kahoots serve local communities and operate as an independently-owned company. Store locations are stocked with premium pet and animal supplies with each store modeled to provide a “wholesome country feel” that puts pet owners at ease and instantly makes them feel welcome. “Each location serves up thoughtfully made products, knowledgeable staff and everything for your animals, from backyard to barnyard, including the national brands you love!” according to company literature.

As for the communities that don’t house a Kahoots store location, pet owners have access to the Kahoots online store. 

Company leaders and store associates ensure every consumer experiences the company’s mission of deeply caring for the health and welfare of pets. “Your pets are family, and that’s why we strive to make our local pet stores and online pet store as friendly, knowledgeable and family-oriented as possible.”

Kahoots’ continued growth amidst the obstacles the pet industry faced in 2025—whether that’s supply chain interruptions or finding alternate sources for packing materials and ingredients —demonstrates its strong market position, versatility and flexibility. The retailer’s ability to expand its retail footprint in light of industry headwinds reveals Kahoots effective strategies, innovative offerings and a loyal customer base. These facets have helped to position Kahoots on a sturdy foundation for future expansion. “Kahoots has been able to grow by staying true to our neighborhood model while adapting to changing customer expectations,” Marketing Director Alexander Barbiere said earlier this fall. “Our foundation is built on trust, personalized service, high-quality nutrition and an extensive line of Kahoots brand products, which helps us stand out from national chains and online giants. At the same time, we’ve leaned into efficiency by prioritizing smart inventory management, employee training and retention, expanding product lines and offering flexible delivery options via our online store. This extends and preserves our mission to provide everyday value without compromising quality. That balance of community connection and operational discipline has allowed us to expand even as the broader industry has slowed.”

During the last couple of years, Kahoots has set its sights on the Arizona pet market. In 2023, Kahoots opened its first location in Arizona. The storefront, located in San Tan Valley, provides a broad range of pet products including food, toys, grooming supplies and more. The store provides an extensive selection of livestock feed, such as hay, grain and supplements. “Arizona has been a clear growth market for us, which is why we’ve opened two stores there and are on track to open a third this year,” Barbiere said. “The combination of strong population growth, high rates of pet ownership and relatively less saturation compared to coastal markets makes it a natural fit.”

Kahoots’ leaders are looking deeper and exploring the potential for growth within urban centers. Suburban and rural communities have allowed for the company to foster a loyal following and urban centers are the next logical step due to how these areas accommodate boutique retailers. 

“Closer to home, we have a new, experimental Kahoots location opening in Downtown San Diego that reflects another growth vector: curated, specialty retail in urban centers,” Barbiere said. “Looking ahead, we see continued opportunity across fast-growing suburban and rural communities, as well as in select urban markets where boutique formats can thrive.”

Partnerships with Manufacturers 

Along the way, Kahoots has shaped and upheld authentic partnerships with manufacturers.

“The partnership between Health Extension and Kahoots is truly an ideal match,” said 3rd-generation owner of Health Extension, Brad Gruber. “We share a unified purpose: delivering natural, premium-quality products that help loving pet parents enhance their pets’ lives. While many retailers and manufacturers share similar aspirations, what sets Health Extension and Kahoots apart is our shared origin story, both built from community-driven roots. Though we began on opposite coasts, more than 2,800 miles apart, our missions align perfectly. It proves that when values and passion connect, distance is not a barrier to partnership.”

Inaba Foods and Kahoots have formed a relationship built on reciprocity. 

“I would characterize our partnership with Kahoots as complementary. We have a mutual understanding of what pet parents are looking for when shopping for their furry friend,” said Francois de Ginestet, Director of Sales and Marketing for Inaba Foods. 

Lord Jameson and Kahoots are connected through a mutual fondness for pets and a pledge to upgrade mealtime specifically for dogs. 

“We deeply value our partnership with Kahoots and are inspired by their mission-aligned philosophy on animal health and wellness,” said Lord Jameson Founder Sarah Goldberger. “Together, we strive to elevate the culinary experience for dogs. At the core of our collaboration is our shared love for animals and our steadfast commitment to giving back through donations that support local animal rescues and shelters.”

Strengthening their partnership is the fact Kahoots and Health Extension Pet Care share similar core values—authenticity, dependability, community engagement and knowledge. 

“Kahoots has built a reputation as a standout retail partner through their focus on kinship and education,” Gruber said. “Their in-house ‘Kahoots University’ keeps team members informed and passionate about long-term pet wellness, something we deeply align with at Health Extension. What truly elevates our partnership is our alignment in core values: transparency, trust, community and education. Health Extension crafts holistic, functional nutrition in every bite, and we empower our retail partners with the knowledge to share that story. Kahoots mirrors this approach, offering exceptional customer experiences through an educated, mission-driven team that champions what’s best for pets.”

Kahoots has loyally supported Inaba’s ventures into launching products and broadening existing product lines. “As Inaba continues to innovate with new products and expand our product line, Kahoots remains a strong supporter for our growing brand,” de Ginestet explained. 

“They support our new products through endcaps and sales to get the word out to the pet community about our latest offerings.”

Lord Jameson and Kahoots have fostered a mutually beneficial partnership where Kahoots advocates for and recommends to pet owners preeminent brands like Lord Jameson, and Lord Jameson consistently delivers on providing a solution that benefits pets. 

“Kahoots is a solid retail partner for Lord Jameson because their clientele is consistently seeking the very best for their beloved four-legged family members,” Goldberger said. “We’re able to meet that expectation by offering USDA Certified organic treats made from whole-food ingredients, free from preservatives and artificial additives. No fake flavors, colors and ingredients you can’t pronounce! Together, we’re providing premium options that pet parents can feel confident about.”

One of the major facets as to why Kahoots and Health Extension Pet Care are aligned lies in their common origins as family-owned organizations committed to integrity, education and community. 

“Our compatibility stems from similar beginnings and philosophies,” Gruber said. “Both Health Extension and Kahoots share a belief that long-term success is built through transparency and trust not just short-term trends. This mutual commitment to doing what’s right for pets and their families forms the foundation of an authentic, values-driven partnership.”

For Inaba, the partnership is built on mutual respect and confidence in each other’s abilities to build a brand. 

“Working with Kahoots has always been a positive experience; they have always been on the same page with us and understand what it takes to make a brand succeed amongst so much competition,” de Ginestet said. 

One of the major reasons as to how Kahoots and Lord Jameson are suitable partners is their devotion to improving pets’ lives. “Lord Jameson is made in the USA and uses only USDA organic, whole-food ingredients, with the majority of our ingredients domestically and sustainably sourced, to craft our premium dog treats,” Goldberger said. “We never use allergy-inducing ingredients like corn, wheat, soy, or dairy, which makes our treats incredibly friendly for a wide range of dietary restrictions, breeds and life stages. We are aligned with Kahoots in that we’re both committed to providing the very best for the pets we serve—quality, ingredient transparency, integrity and animal well-being drive everything we do.”

Gruber noted there are several advantages to working with a retailer like Kahoots. Notably, Kahoots’ impressive presence throughout the Southwest, blending the formidable size of a company that can compete against larger retailers while maintaining a neighborhood pet store built on knowledge and taking care of consumers and their pets. “Kahoots is a one-stop neighborhood pet shop with a loyal customer base that’s deeply engaged in their pets’ health,” he said. “Beyond that, Kahoots provides top-tier marketing opportunities and community engagement that help amplify our mission through a credible, trusted platform. With more than 20 stores across the Southwest, they’ve scaled the spirit of an independent pet store into a powerful regional presence.”

Inaba’s de Ginestet shared the company’s ongoing advocacy for Kahoots’ ideas and initiatives, which have played a key role in building relationships with pet parents in the communities that Kahoots serves. “Kahoots loves to give back to the community and their loyal customers by having store events,” he said. “During these events, they will offer samples of some of their best-selling products. We at Inaba have always found that a sample of our Churus creates forever fans of our products. We are always happy to support Kahoots during these store events so we can get our Churus out to new potential lifelong customers.”

Kahoots and Lord Jameson share similar experiences in how they started in the pet industry. Each company launched a small entity that has since flourished into a thriving and profitable operation. These commonalities in their career journey have helped Kahoots and Lord Jameson develop a bond. “Kahoots and Lord Jameson both began as one-person endeavors that grew through passion, purpose and community support,” Goldberger said. “Because of that shared entrepreneurial spirit, we both understand the importance of customer trust, premium product experiences and staying rooted in our original mission. With Kahoots’ extensive network of locations across Southern California, we also appreciate knowing that our treats are reaching and benefiting a large number of dogs throughout the region.”

Memorable In-Store Experience 

Store associates—or Kahooligans—promise an in-store setting distinguished by high-quality product solutions as well as warm and inviting customer service. Kahooligans are on hand to inform and advise pet parents to the right products for their pets, reflecting the company’s staunch responsibility to serve owners and animals with genuine care. Their sensible and well-rounded support along with fair and competitively priced pet supplies keeps consumers returning.

“Premium nutrition including frozen raw has been a standout across both dog and cat categories, as pet parents continue to prioritize their pets’ health and wellness,” Barbiere said. “Consumables like treats, toppers and supplements have also remained strong because of that special bond between pets and their people.” 

Beyond trustworthy products, Kahoots has invested in services that have further enhanced consumers’ shopping experience. “On the services side, preventive care—such as vaccinations and dental cleanings—has been a clear growth driver for our stores that offer vet clinics. These categories not only generate sales but also keep customers engaged with Kahoots on a recurring basis,” Barbiere said. “A family might come in for a low-cost vaccine clinic or a dental cleaning and leave with food, treats or toys. That consistent engagement strengthens loyalty and makes Kahoots a trusted partner in pet care.” Barbiere added, “Delivery has been equally important, by offering our exclusive Kahoots products online, we’ve been able to meet customers wherever they are, ensuring convenience without sacrificing the award-winning service they expect from us.”

At the root of Kahoots’ model is the company founders’ Bittinger and Tunnell approach to customer service—devoting more time to listening to their customers to better understand their concerns and pain points than selling products and services. Driven by their respect for the animal-human bond, the co-founders have steadfastly taught consumers in the communities they serve how to continuously improve the ways they care for their animals.

The concept of listening to customers and delivering what they need has guided the company’s trajectory for nearly 40 years. The local hay delivery venture has morphed into steady store openings throughout California and Arizona and the launch of its private label line. Prioritizing employee training and ongoing education has led to Kahoots University in the name of offering the most knowledgeable Kahooligans who provide warmth and trustworthy guidance on their top-shelf pet products at fair prices. 

Company leaders have long held the belief that, “Kahoots is about animals and people caring about each other to the fullest and fulfilling the promises we make to each other. We work our hardest to create a fun and open experience that makes a positive impact on every life we touch, including our customers, their animals and our staff. We aren’t a big box corporation, and we aren’t a boutique market. We’re a family, your neighbors, and we work harder every single day to help you strengthen the love you share with your pets.” 

“We expect 2026 to bring both opportunities and challenges,” Barbiere said. “Pet parents will continue to demand premium, health-focused nutrition. Wellness products and services will make up a larger share of spending as preventive care continues to expand. Convenience will be non-negotiable. Customers will expect seamless integration between in-store and online shopping experiences. For retailers like Kahoots, we believe the leaders will be those who combine authentic community connection and customer service with innovation in services, online shopping and product curation.”

Looking ahead, Kahoots’ leaders anticipate that their ongoing dedication to serving pet owners and responsibly caring for animals will help them overcome any potential roadblocks in their path toward continued growth.