Pet Evolution Franchise is Built on Giving Back

A Mission of Service Drives the Pet Franchise’s Growth, Culture and Deep Community Connections

Rian Thiele started Pet Evolution with a mission that went far beyond selling pet food. After serving eight years as a police officer in Carver County, Minn., he wanted to build a business that would stay closely connected to its community. “I learned how important it is to treat people with kindness and respect, no matter what they’re going through,” he says. “That mindset shaped everything we’ve done at Pet Evolution since the very beginning.”

Founded in 2012, Pet Evolution focuses on high-quality pet food, grooming services, self-serve dog washes and wellness memberships. But what makes the brand stand out is its consistent effort to support people and pets in need. “We built this business around helping people,” says Thiele. “We don’t just talk about it — we do it.”

One of the brand’s first partnerships was with Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue, a nonprofit organization that helps dogs find new homes. Pet Evolution has hosted adoption events, sponsored its races, and supported its mission every year. “They were just getting started when we opened our store, and we’ve grown together,” Thiele says.

The company also works closely with Make-A-Wish. One of the most memorable moments was helping a young girl named Kaylee, whose wish was to have a Saint Bernard like the one in her favorite movie. Not only did Pet Evolution provide a year’s worth of food for her new dog, Missy, but it also made Kaylee an honorary groomer for the day, complete with her own custom smock.

“She was so happy,” says Thiele. “She spent the day learning how to groom Missy, and we let her fill a cart with anything she wanted from the store.” After Kaylee passed away, Pet Evolution honored her by partnering with Make-A-Wish nationwide. Each December, all locations host a Santa photo event that raises money to help grant more wishes. Another story that shows Pet Evolution’s caring approach came just before Christmas one year. Thiele read about the sudden death of a man living in the area and he organized a silent auction in just two weeks. “We raised $5,000 for the family,” he says. “We delivered gifts and cash on Christmas Eve dressed as Santa. It was emotional, but that’s what this business is about.”

The Business Behind the Mission

The pet franchise has 20 stores open with more coming soon. To make it easier for new franchisees to get started, the company is launching a smaller store model with locations starting at 1,400 square feet. These stores will still include grooming, self-serve washes and retail —all with the same focus on quality.

Thiele compares the experience to shopping at a health-focused grocery store. “We’re like the Whole Foods of pet care,” he says. “We only carry products we believe in, and we’ve turned down major pet food brands that don’t meet our standards.”

Franchisees are encouraged to support causes that matter to them personally, from local pet rescues to food pantries. Some sponsor races and organize food drives. Others participate in systemwide events like “Washes for Wishes,” where customers donate $20 or more to use the self-serve dog wash, with all proceeds going to Make-A-Wish.

Pet Evolution trains staff to treat every customer like a neighbor. “We want to know people and their pets by name,” says Thiele. “We don’t want anyone to feel like just another number.”

That personal approach is part of what draws in franchisees. “We look for people who care,” Thiele says. “During discovery days, we talk about our give-back programs. We share stories. If someone isn’t moved by that, they’re probably not the right fit. If we didn’t give back, I honestly wouldn’t enjoy this business as much. Helping others makes everything more meaningful.”

 For more information, visit Pet Evolution’s website.