From Resilience to Recognition: Petpals’ Phil & Bev Win Great British Franchisee Award!🏆🐾

1st October 2025

We are proud to announce that Phil & Bev, owners of Petpals Chelmsford, Maldon & Danbury, have been named winners of the prestigious Great British Franchisee Award.

This award, hosted by WhichFranchise, recognises exceptional franchisees across the UK who demonstrate excellence in business performance, customer care, community involvement and leadership.

For Phil & Bev, this honour represents far more than a business milestone. It is the culmination of a deeply personal journey of resilience, dedication, and a commitment to doing things the right way.

A Story Rooted in Care and Commitment

Phil and Bev officially took over the franchise in August 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. But their connection to the business stretches back much further. Phil joined Petpals in 2012 and became a partner in 2016, while Bev began working in the Petpals Witham branch in 2011 before joining Phil’s team in 2019.

The Chelmsford, Maldon & Danbury franchise had been established in 2004 and was run for many years by Peter Martin, until his sudden passing in March 2020. Phil and Bev, already part of the team, stepped in to ensure his legacy—and his clients’ pets—were cared for. They also welcomed Peter’s loyal dogs into their own home, a powerful symbol of their values in action.

Taking on the business was no small feat. The pandemic had slashed demand overnight, and revenues dropped by 90%. For nearly two years, the business ran in survival mode before slowly returning to profitable trading. Phil and Bev rebuilt from the ground up: modernising systems, restructuring operations, and maintaining a clear focus on their values—such as offering only solo dog walks, ensuring every pet receives the safest and most personalised care.

Building for the Future

Today, Phil & Bev lead a ten-person team across two territories, providing solo dog walking, pet sitting, cat care and home boarding services. Their franchise is now consistently ranked among the top-performing franchises in the Petpals network.

They credit their success to teamwork and shared responsibility: Bev leading on scheduling and client care, Phil focusing on finance and logistics, and their manager Kathy overseeing operations. Together, they’ve created a strong, sustainable business built on trust and professionalism.

Their achievements go beyond operations. They’ve:

• Retained staff throughout the pandemic, a remarkable feat during such uncertainty.
• Introduced structured training, including canine and feline first aid, ensuring the highest standards of care.
• Supported their local community through initiatives like collecting bedding for a greyhound rehoming charity.
• Mentored fellow franchisees across the Petpals network, helping newer owners navigate challenges.

Why the Award Matters

The Great British Franchisee Award is one of the most prestigious recognitions in the UK franchising sector. Winners are judged not just on financial results but on leadership, resilience, community impact, and commitment to their brand.

For Phil & Bev, this award validates the hard work, sacrifice, and dedication poured into building a business that is both commercially successful and deeply values-led. It shows that even through challenges, the right values and teamwork can turn adversity into strength.

A Thank You to the Team, Clients, and Pets

Phil & Bev are the first to say that this win isn’t just theirs—it belongs to their team, clients, and the wonderful pets they are trusted to care for. Without their loyalty, dedication, and support, none of this would have been possible.

As they look to the future, their vision remains simple: to grow sustainably, provide the very best care, and stay true to the values that have brought them here.

Congratulations, Phil & Bev—this recognition is so well deserved.