LIVONIA, Mich., April 15, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pet Supplies Plus announced today that Alex Roberts has been named Vice President of Franchising. Pet Supplies Plus, a portfolio company of Irving Place Capital, is the third largest pet specialty retailer in the United States.
Prior to Pet Supplies Plus, Roberts was most recently the president of Mr. Handyman International, where he was responsible for overall brand performance of the 200+-unit franchise system, which operates in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Previous to that, he held roles with ProTect Painters International and Service Brands International.
Roberts is a veteran franchise executive who will bring an impressive set of skills and experiences to Pet Supplies Plus. As Vice President of Franchising, Roberts will be responsible for developing and executing franchising strategy related to sales and development, franchisee relations and franchise administration.
"The $55 billion pet industry continues to skyrocket and has proven to be essentially recession-proof. As a pet owner myself, I understand the demand from consumers for high quality products and services," said Roberts. "I am eager to hit the ground running to find the right franchise partners to expand the Pet Supplies Plus brand."
Roberts joins Pet Supplies Plus in the midst of an accelerated growth period for the franchise. In 2013, Pet Supplies Plus opened 18 new franchise and corporate stores and will increase its unit count by 10 to 15 percent each year moving forward, focusing on opening both corporate and franchised stores in new and underserved markets.
Dave Bolen, President and CEO, said of Roberts's appointment, "I'm thrilled to see us add another strong leader to our franchising charge. Alex's experience and leadership will be an intrinsic part of our growth and development strategy in the coming years."
Founded on the idea that convenient, quality service for busy neighbors was lacking in the pet industry, retail veterans, Jack Berry and Harry Shallop, opened the first Pet Supplies Plus store in Redford, Michigan. Since then, the neighborhood-style pet store has become a household name in 23 states. Pet Supplies Plus was acquired by private equity group Irving Place Capital in 2010.
About Pet Supplies Plus
With more than 290 locations in 23 Eastern states, Pet Supplies Plus has earned the reputation as America's Favorite Neighborhood Pet Store by offering a wide array of pet food, pet products, grooming services and animal expertise in a welcoming environment. With a friendly, pet-centered culture, where store managers and associates actually know the names of hundreds of their pet customers and their pet parents, each Pet Supplies Plus is large enough to house a broad selection of food and equipment, yet small enough to still feel neighborly. The company, headquartered in Livonia, MI., has earned its success by understanding the unique bond between humans and their pets, while championing the conviction that 'People Don't Own Pets, Pets Own People.' Pet Supplies Plus is ranked in Entrepreneur magazine's 35th Annual Franchise 500® list as the Top Full-Service Pet Supplies Franchise for its exceptional performance in areas including financial strength and stability, growth rate, and system size. For more information about Pet Supplies Plus, please visit www.petsuppliesplus.com.