Special Report: Hollywood Feed Anniversary

Hollywood Feed likes to say it’s a different breed of pet supply store. Its success is evident in its longevity. This year, owners Shawn and Jean McGhee will have been at the helm for 20 years, not only running the business but raising the standards of customer service, expanding across the country, and growing their private label of brands. 

With staff members receiving 40 hours of training annually, customers notice the difference as soon as they step inside one of Hollywood Feed’s many stores. To compete with online giants like Chewy, the company offers same-day delivery and curbside pickup. In 2025 alone, the company drove more than 8 million miles delivering dry and frozen goods to consumers’ doorsteps the very same day. (That’s the equivalent of driving to the moon and back 16 times.) Through its Hollywood Feed Promise, pet parents can shop worry-free, knowing purchases will be replaced or refunded if their pets don’t love them. 

Hollywood Feed aims to be more than just a retail destination for premium dog and cat food, treats, toys, beds, and apparel. The company also wants to be a trusted resource for pet wellness. With self-wash and professional grooming services in select locations, they continue to look for ways to entice and support furry family members. 

Hollywood Feed offers a variety of exclusive, USA-made, and locally sourced brands focused on quality. From Georgia Smoked pet jerky to Mississippi Made dog beds to Colorado Made cat litter and many more—the company searches for ways to produce quality items that are sourced 100 percent from the United States and produced in the communities they serve. 

Shawn McGhee, President and CEO of the company, said, “When we started Hollywood Feed, we always wanted to build a company that would stand through the ages. When you design a company not for your exit, and really think about it from a customer standpoint, you ask: ‘What are we trying to solve for the customer? What jobs are we trying to do for them?’ Putting the customer at the center of the conversation all the time, it really puts you into a focus that allows you to continue to grow because the customer always votes with their dollars.”

History

Hollywood Feed opened its first pet supply store on the corner of Hollywood Street and Chelsea Avenue in Memphis, TN, in the 1950s. It quickly became the place to go for pet food and friendly advice. It was purchased by Shawn and Jean McGhee in 2006, and with their leadership and vision, the company really took off. 

At the time, there were only three stores in Memphis, TN. In 2014, they expanded into the Dallas-Fort Worth market. By 2022, they acquired PetPeople, expanding into the Midwest and Northeast and growing the business from 104 stores to more than 180 locations across 19 states. This acquisition was the largest in the natural and holistic pet food and product retailer’s history. It increased the company’s geographic footprint, store count, and number of employees. The acquisition added five new states and stretched the brand’s footprint from Texas to Pennsylvania and from Michigan to Florida. The total number of employees post-acquisition was 1,225.

Hollywood Feed was named on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Retailers in 2022. “Our team is incredibly honored by this recognition,” said Shawn McGhee in a press release. “We strive to provide the highest level of customer service, so to hear we are being noticed by customers themselves is very gratifying. I credit our dedicated ‘pack’ of 1,200+ team members for this accomplishment.”

Now in 2026, the company continues to expand, and in February, Fortress Investment Group led a $112 million senior secured credit facility to support Hollywood Feed’s growth as a leading independent retailer of natural and premium pet products.

Leadership

Under President and CEO Shawn McGhee’s leadership, the company has expanded and thrived. Before Hollywood Feed, Shawn was Executive Vice President at another Memphis-based company, AutoZone, which also went through a huge expansion and now operates more than 7,700 stores globally. Shawn is supported by Eleanor McGhee, who is Senior VP of Merchandising and Marketing, as well as Craig Barnes, who became Chief Operating Officer in 2022 after previously holding leadership roles at Advance Auto Parts. Barnes said in a company statement, “I joined because my family and I are pet-loving people. I love the industry, and the Hollywood Feed team members are an amazing group of people to work with and for.”

Meghan Verrell is Senior Vice President of Real Estate & Executive Assistant to the CEO. She has been with the company for more than nine years, serving roles including Store Manager, Category Manager and Director of Merchandising. Before she came to the pet industry, she was a cardiac intensive care nurse. 

Sarah Eccles was promoted in 2024 to SVP of Store Operations to oversee operations for the 180+ stores. Eccles has had a long career in retail, working for companies that include J.Crew, DSW, and West Elm.

Peruse the Hollywood Feed website, and you’ll learn the company also has various pets who hold honorary titles of leadership—a testament to the “pet-friendly” office culture. There’s “Billiam” as the CEO cat, Blueberry as the CFO cat and there’s even Mango, a bird who is also a durability tester.

Recent News 

Expansion isn’t new “news” for Hollywood Feed, which continues to build its presence in strategic markets. In 2025, Hollywood Feed celebrated the opening and expansion of 11 locations across the Southeast and Texas. The company also opened a 4,200-square-foot store in Indian Land, SC.

 “This new store gives us another opportunity to connect with pet lovers in the community, offering the high-quality food, treats and personalized service our customers and their beloved pets deserve,” McGhee said. “Our goal, by strategically expanding, is to make it easier for local pet owners to access the products and expertise they need to help their pets thrive.”

Besides expanding its retail presence, the company has also found other ways to support local communities. In October 2025, the company partnered with Dogs Inc to support local veterans by providing food at no cost to guide and service dogs. Even though its nearest store was two hours away from the flood-affected area, the Feed Team raised more than $7,500 in just one week after flash floods swept through Kerr County in July. The company also donated three pallets of pet food to local rescues that were distributing supplies. 

Community 

Community support remains at the heart of Hollywood Feed’s mission. They donate more than 100,000 pounds of dog food and other supplies to rescue group partners each year. Their retail locations host regular adoption events with local shelters and rescue groups. 

Hollywood offers a replacement or refund if pets don’t like their food. So what happens to those half-used bags? The company donates them to a network of rescue partners. They also offer customers the opportunity to round up their shopping totals and donate the extra cents to a local rescue. On average, stores raise about $17,000 each month.

For Hollywood Feed, supporting rescues, shelters and working dogs isn’t just part of the business—it’s part of the company’s culture.

As Hollywood Feed continues to grow its retail footprint, its knowledgeable team, premium selection, and support services help ensure it remains a trusted neighborhood resource wherever it’s located.