EarthWise Pet Acquires California-based PET DEPOT

Pet franchise leader EarthWise Pet is reportedly acquiring California-based PET DEPOT. EarthWise Pet Chairman and CEO Mike Seitz confirmed the acquisition now puts the company’s systemwide store count at more than 200 locations.

EarthWise Pet, based in Woodinville, WA, last made industry headlines in March when it announced it acquired seven former Kriser’s Natural Pet locations in California, four See Spot Shop stores in Arizona and six Loyal Biscuit stores in Maine. EarthWise Pet has been expanding its dominance in pet supplies and services in recent years; in 2021, the company forged a strategic partnership with Pet Stuff America and acquired Pet Pros the same year.

Seitz said presently, EarthWise Pet operates four unique banners: EarthWise Pet, PET DEPOT, GROOMBAR and Dee-O-Gee.

“The acquisition of PET DEPOT aligns perfectly with EarthWise Pet’s mission and allows us to broaden our franchise offerings significantly,” he said. “PET DEPOT has been a pioneer in providing high-quality pet supplies and exceptional veterinary services, setting an industry benchmark. We are thrilled to bring these additional services under the EarthWise Pet banner, offering prospective franchisees the most comprehensive suite of concepts to choose from. Plus, joining forces with PET DEPOT’s dedicated and talented team members will strengthen the EarthWise Pet family.”

PET DEPOT Founder Roman Versch said, “We have been pursued as an acquisition target by many other companies and equity funds over the recent years. Most of them had short term intentions that were not focused on service and care of customers and their pets. When we met with Michael Seitz and his EarthWise Pet team, we recognized that we were of the same business philosophy and culture, so it gave myself and our team great comfort to know that our franchisees would be supported by a larger team of pet professionals who would recognize the individuals that own locations under the PET DEPOT brand. Joining the EarthWise Pet brand was a good choice for us because it increased the value of each franchisee location, increased services and support from the product manufacturers and distributors and brought the PET DEPOT brand into a family of pet professionals with a long-term growth vision.”

While PET DEPOT first opened in 1991 in Santa Monica, CA, the company has been operating under a franchise model in its expansion across the US and Canada. To give each location a unique, personal touch, the company has made it a point to include the name of the franchise’s owners in their respective store logos.

All stores feature premium, natural and holistic brands of pet foods including fresh, frozen and raw options. In addition to dog and cat staple products, PET DEPOT offers consumers supplies for fish, small animals, birds and reptiles. Franchises provide services including expert grooming, pet adoption options and dog training and boarding.

In 2009, Pet Depot Veterinary Group was founded in the Los Angeles area as a full-service veterinary hospital. The PET DEPOT banner now includes both the retail stores as well as the complementary pet hospitals to provide a full range of services for pet owners. As of 2022, PET DEPOT operates six animal hospitals in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts and two in Virginia. The company has 20 US franchises and two in Canada.