Petpals has retained its 5-Star Franchisee Satisfaction accreditation from WorkBuzz for the second consecutive year after franchisees rated the UK’s longest-established pet care franchise highly across key areas including training, support, leadership and communication.
The accreditation follows the results of the independent WorkBuzz Franchisee Satisfaction Benchmark Survey, widely regarded as the UK’s leading franchise benchmarking programme. Conducted confidentially, the survey measures franchisee satisfaction across multiple aspects of the franchisor-franchisee relationship, including onboarding, business support, culture, leadership and overall satisfaction. Franchisors that meet the required benchmark receive the 5-Star Franchisee Satisfaction status.
Petpals, which has more than 25 years of franchising experience in the UK pet care sector, recorded particularly strong results in this year’s survey. According to the findings, 100% of newly onboarded franchisees rated the company’s initial training and support positively.
The survey also highlighted strong engagement across the network, with franchisees reporting that they are motivated to go the extra mile for customers, proud to be part of the Petpals franchise, and confident that the head office listens to and responds to issues that matter to franchisees.
Sharon Weston, Head of Franchising at WorkBuzz, said the results reflect the strength of the franchisor’s support model. “Petpals’ results, particularly the exceptional score for initial training and support together with the high levels of franchisee pride and confidence in Head Office, demonstrate a franchisor that is committed to building long-term success through strong relationships and continuous investment in its network.”
The recognition follows Petpals’ continued investment in franchisee development through business coaching, accredited pet care training, marketing support and ongoing professional development opportunities.
These initiatives were recently showcased during the company’s online mid-year conference, where franchisees received business updates, practical marketing guidance and insights from industry experts.
The event featured a network update from Managing Director Kevin Thackrah, while Digital Marketer Katie Morris discussed evolving media consumption trends and strategies for creating engaging video content for social media. PR specialist Sally Anne Butters of Rev PR also shared successful public relations campaigns and offered advice on securing local media coverage.
Kevin Thackrah said the independent recognition carries particular significance because it reflects the experiences of franchisees across the network. “Receiving independent recognition from our franchisees is so important to our team because it reflects the experiences of the people who know our business best. Those relationships are fundamental to our success and remain at the heart of everything we do.”
Founded in 2000, Petpals operates a network of franchisees providing pet care services including dog walking, pet sitting, boarding, pet taxi and small animal care across the UK. The latest accreditation further reinforces the franchisor’s focus on franchisee support and long-term network development as it continues to expand its national presence.
