Woof Gang Bakery to expand in Savannah

Savannah Morning News - 6/20/2018

June 19--Woof Gang Bakery, an Orlando-based grooming and pet retail chain, has announced it will expand its Savannah operation with the addition of a corporate franchise training center.

Starting in July 2018, every new Woof Gang Bakery franchisee will pass through Savannah for instruction and guidance on how to run a successful store. Woof Gang Bakery will bring more than 25 new franchise owners a year to Savannah to train for five days on all aspects of owning and operating a Woof Gang Bakery store.

"We are now entering the next phase our plan for the Savannah market," said Paul Allen, President and CEO, Woof Gang Bakery.

"It was always our goal to convert our corporate-owned stores to franchise locations, with a local franchisee owner who is connected to the heart of the city. Plus, invest in Savannah as an ideal location for a corporate franchise training center."

The training center will primarily be located at the company's store at 1601 Bull St., but the plan anticipates utilizing other locations in City Market, Wright Square and River Street for various components of company familiarization and training.

Woof Gang first entered with Savannah market in 2015 opening a location in City Market. Now, three years later the company has five stores in Savannah that offer a range of pet goods and services, from professional pet grooming, quality foods, treats, chews to pet accessories with a personalized touch.

Allen, in 2017, told the Savannah Morning News that he expected yearly company-wide revenue to be about $47 million, with $2.3 million coming from the Savannah market. The company has more than 100 stores nationwide and was recently named tenth largest retailer by Pet Business Media.

Allen also announced that Savannah resident Greg Lard will become the franchisee of the Savannah Woof Gang Bakery stores starting next month. Lard will assume all day-to-day operations for the five Savannah stores. Currently the company has 17 full-time employees in Savannah and the expansion is expected to increase that number to 30.

"We are so proud to call Greg Lard a Woof Gang Bakery franchisee and look forward to our next chapter in the beautiful city of Savannah," said Allen, who met Lard years ago through their work at Jani-King Janitorial Services.

Lard, who already has plans to open two new locations in Pooler and Richmond Hill, said he is thrilled to join the Woof Gang team.

"The prospect of being able to work at Woof Gang, run the franchising center and work with animals everyday is exciting," Lard said.

"I get to play with puppies all day and it doesn't get much better than that."

Lard also intends to offer new and different products in the local market and continue the company's commitment to community involvement through various events and fundraisers for local non-profits and animal rescue organizations.

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