A day in the life of a pet care franchisee

30th October 2024

One of the key questions that franchise prospects have when undergoing the due-diligence stage of their initial research is, “What does a typical day as a franchisee look like?”. While the answer may differ slightly – depending on whether you’re operating a van-based franchise or more of an office-based 9-5 operation, for instance – the general daily tasks and responsibilities of a franchisee can be largely the same.

Keen to know what a day in the life of a franchisee might look like? Here, David Gray – multi-unit franchisee and Brand Development Manager for pet care franchise, Petpals – runs us through what a typical day looks like for him.

Rise and shine

My day often starts with a gentle nudge from Cara, my beloved dog. After brewing my coffee and serving her breakfast, I settle into my morning routine. I’ve been a franchisee with Petpals for almost 20 years, now leading a large team of 50 and servicing 4,000 customers – so my day always has to start with coffee! I also support Petpals on a national scale with a strategic role, streamlining and improving our processes and services, while dealing with the constantly changing legislation set by the government.

My first task of the day is to check the previous day’s emails, making sure all enquiries have been responded to and dealt with.

Planning the day

Next, it’s time to meet with my dog walking manager, Sam, to outline the day’s structure and tackle any pressing issues. This proactive approach keeps everything running smoothly in a bustling business.

Morning meetings

Mornings are filled with meetings, which are crucial for managing our diverse team. I focus on collaboration and problem-solving, ensuring I create personal connections with each team member – and I put a real emphasis on leading these meetings every morning.

Financial management

I dedicate an hour to financial auditing each day, ensuring budgets are on track and expenditures are monitored. This diligence supports ongoing initiatives with the local authority (LA), including a ground breaking project aimed at improving dog waste management in our community. This is a project that I’ve been particularly excited about.

In short, we’re working with the LA in my area to introduce an interactive map system, with QR-coded dog waste bins – when the bin is full, a passer-by can scan the QR code which alerts the local council that it needs emptying. This is an initiative that we’re piloting, to hopefully roll out around the nation in the future.

Project work

Afternoons are typically reserved for project management and long-term planning. I rely on tools like list-making and planning apps like Trello to keep track of tasks and objectives, reflecting on the lessons I learned during the pandemic about the importance of adaptability and time-management.

Team check-in

After lunch, I gather with the management team for updates and brainstorming sessions. This collaborative atmosphere nurtures creativity, helping us evolve in the rapidly changing pet industry landscape.

Time for dogs

With the workday well underway, I take some time for my main walk of the day with Cara and, if we’re short-staffed, any other dogs that are due their daily walk with us. This not only keeps me fit but also provides a much-needed mental break. The outdoors serves as my reset button, inspiring clarity and new ideas.

Preparing for tomorrow

As the day draws to a close, I plan for the next day, checking in with the management team about priorities, aligning on training initiatives and reviewing any updates from the government related to pet welfare policies.

Balance and downtime

Being my own boss, on occasion, I may have to deal with the odd urgent matter during the evening. However, maintaining a work-life balance is essential to me. I cherish my evenings for relaxation and family time, often retreating to my bolthole in Northumbria. The quiet and natural beauty there foster some of my best ideas!

David concludes, “I’m very proud to have built my franchise into a successful venture, but it hasn’t come without hard work. I’m a real believer in planning out your day, relying on the support of others where you can, and making the most of each minute. My franchise is now so successful that I can take time for myself in every day, which is a luxury that can become a reality as a franchisee.

“As you begin your journey into franchising, you may find that your days are a little more hectic in the beginning as you put in the hours to get your new venture off the ground. The best piece of advice I can give you is to seek the support of your franchisor, during these early days and beyond, to ensure you’re doing everything to streamline operations. Make the most of the resources available to you and you’ll be enjoying the fruits of your labour, and that all-important work-life balance, before you know it!”

If you’d like to find out more about starting your own pet care business, then head over to our franchising page: Purchase a new franchise (petpals.com)