Pet food franchisee adds brick-and-mortar space

The local franchisee of Cincinnati-based Pet Wants is expanding with a brick-and-mortar space after operating as a delivery service for the past three years.

Holly Ensor, who owns the Springfield pet food franchise with her husband Dennis, said the couple plan to open a store Nov. 18 at 1342 E. Battlefield Road, in the Fremont Center.

The Ensors have grown their franchise business through home deliveries — a service they’ll continue to provide — and appearances at events, such as farmers markets and fall festivals.

“We are having trouble keeping up with all of the deliveries and all the events,” Holly Ensor said, noting a storefront will allow them to “offer a lot more product and have the confidence of people being able to come to us when they need something.”

The Ensors discovered Pet Wants as customers — their dogs had specialized diets — and decided to pursue it as a franchise opportunity after learning about its model to provide fresh food with natural ingredients. No animal byproducts, corn, wheat, soy, sugar or dyes are used.

“The biggest difference is it’s made fresh every month,” Holly Ensor said, noting products are shipped from Ohio. “Most national brands have been mass-produced. They’re cooked at very high temperatures, so it cooks out some of the nutrients — then it sits in a warehouse for months.”

The Ensors signed a lease to occupy 1,600 square feet — half of it is storefront — for undisclosed terms with Ataractic Investment Co. LLC. Holly Ensor declined to disclose startup costs for the space.