Bark & Fitz is a Canadian family owned and operated retail franchise business that started operation in Oakville Ontario in 2003.  Bark & Fitz specializes in offering the healthiest pet foods and treats available on the market today, unique and high quality toys and gear available all in an aesthetically appealing environment.  In addition to offering franchises to interested stakeholders, we continue to own and operate successful corporate stores so that we will always have our finger on the pulse of the business.

Our mission is to establish Bark & Fitz as the premier retailer of the highest quality all natural pet food and fresh baked treats, toys, gear and giftware related to pets in Canada.  By selling the finest products available, customers can be sure they are buying only what is best for their pet, both in supplies, and in regards to health and nutrition.

Our Core Values are as follows:

We appreciate and celebrate the difference fresh, natural and organic pet food and treats can make in the quality and longevity of our pets lives.

We have the highest standards and our goal is to sell the highest quality pet products we possibly can.  We define quality by evaluating the ingredients, freshness, safety, taste, nutritive value and appearance of all of the products we carry.  We are buying agents for our canine and feline friends and not the selling agents for the manufacturers.

We create store environments that are inviting and fun, and reflect the communities they serve.  We want our stores to contribute positively to our communities and become community-meeting places where our customers, both human and canine, meet their friends and make new ones.

We earn our profits ever day through voluntary exchange with our customers.  We recognize that profits are essential to creating capital for growth, which is essential to our future success.

Bark & Fitz is all about bringing smiles to people, their pets and improving the health and wellbeing of our canine and feline companions.  There’s nothing more energizing than waking up every day and being excited about work.  When you’re spending time during the day, with animals, at a job that you love, you’ll count your blessings each night.

Financing:

Bark & Fitz has always benefited from great relationships with various lending institutions.  As an approved Bark & Fitz franchise candidate, you may also benefit from these long standing relationships.  As an approved franchise candidate we will assist you with the preparation of a financial package to be sent out to a number of qualified lenders.  Our systems past success will open the door for any financing you may require.

Site Selection:

Having an amazing location is a critical component of success in any retail business and Bark & Fitz is no different.  Knowing where these sites are and having strong relationships with the most sought after landlords is even more important.  When you join the Bark & Fitz Team the principals of the company personally work with you on the selection of your franchise location.  A Bark & Fitz store is only chosen after exhaustive research has taken place to ensure that it meets and exceeds our demanding standards.  You will get the best possible deal in order to provide your business with the best foot forward that it requires in order to be successful for the short, mid and long term.

Store Layout & Design:

Whether your new store is in a new development or a second-generation space it will meet the Bark & Fitz design aesthetic and merchandising criteria.  From the architectural design to the floor plan, merchandising layout and complete build out of your store the Bark & Fitz Team will be with you every step of the way.  You will be proud of the finished product and feel great about going to work every day in such a welcoming and invigorating environment.

Store Fixturing & Inventory:

Every Bark & Fitz store comes complete with all of the store fixturing and inventory required to run a successful store. Since our inception we have always worked with the highest quality partners and we are always on the look out for new and innovative ways of designing and merchandising our stores to stay ahead in today’s competitive retail environment. Inventory is sourced locally whenever possible in order to take advantage of buying and shipping efficiencies.  Our product mix is unmatched within the pet specialty segment and our access to exclusive brands is unrivaled due to the high quality standards we have for our brand and our system.

Bark & Fitz has many systems in place, which support the efficient operation of our retail stores.  We are continuously working to make the system even more efficient and work closely with our existing franchisees on improvements to the system...  Some of the key areas of support offered by Bark & Fitz are as follows:

Operational Support:

The Bark & Fitz Head Office Team is always available to help in any way required 7 days a week and is committed to your success as a member of the Team.  Whether it is helping you with ordering inventory, merchandising excellence or product knowledge we are with you every step of the way without question.  A comprehensive Operations Manual is always available to you as an additional support mechanism.

Point of Sale System:

As a Bark & Fitz Franchisee, you will have the most user friendly and information rich Point of Sale terminals available on the market today.   Our Point Of Sale System manages all aspects of your inventory controls, ordering and has an extensive suite of standard reports to assist you in analyzing the performance of your franchise store.  Our system allows you to track and analyze customer spending habits, manages our customer loyalty points program and even assist you with your local marketing efforts.  All you have to do is embrace the technology.

Website:

The barkandfitz.com website is truly unique within the pet specialty retail world in that it not only provides an amazing opportunity for you to engage with your customers directly through your own micro-site within the overall website but it also offers customers an amazing amount of educational information on the latest in pet health and well being.  Our online marketing strategy provides industry leading Search Engine Optimization in order to attract new customers to the website and conversely our local stores while providing extensive opportunities for increased brand awareness.

Should you choose the Bark & Fitz Franchise opportunity and qualify for a store, you will be trained in one of our successful company owned stores.  The balance of your training will take place at our Head Office and with the many manufacturers reps we have partnered with to ensure you have the best and most up to date product information available.  By the time your store is ready to open, you will be confidently looking forward to the owning and operating your franchise store.

In-Store Training:

We strongly believe in the philosophy that people learn by doing and seeing, which is why we also offer in-store training to successful franchise candidates before, during and after your store is open for business.  As every operator is different we try to tailor the in-store training component to your individual needs in order to make you feel the most comfortable in your new surroundings and to set you on the right path toward success.

Head Office Training:

While working in the store will give you an excellent foundation in the operations of your franchise store, our head office training will give you much of the business knowledge required to run your business such as HR training, reporting and analysis, cash flow management and projections, general ledger training, scheduling and best practices in the business acumen required to be a successful franchisee.

Bark & Fitz prides itself on being a brand which people relate to and connect with which lends itself well to a multitude of marketing and advertising opportunities.  As a Bark & Fitz franchisee you will benefit from the Brand awareness that has been built across Canada and participate in various local marketing initiatives designed to drive awareness for the brand in your local market and traffic to your store. Bark & Fitz works extremely hard to differentiate its Brand from that of its competitors whether it be through marketing and advertising initiatives or through the exclusive range of products offered within its stores.  From your Grand Opening Marketing to monthly, quarterly and annual marketing strategy, planning and implantation support Bark & Fitz head Office will be at your side to help ensure your business success through local marketing and advertising.

Bark & Fitz Franchisees are the best in the specialty pet retail industry and we could be so bold as to say all franchise systems. If you would like to join our team of outstanding Franchisees in redefining the future of Specialty Pet Retail across North America please fill in the form below to access the Bark & Fitz Franchise Information Package.

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