The retailer is partnering with JustFoodForDogs.
LOS ANGELES, CA – Petco has tapped Los Alamitos, CA-based JustFoodForDogs to open hundreds of “stores within stores,” with many of them featuring exhibition kitchens so that customers can see how the food is made.
JustFoodForDogs produces food that is “fit for human consumption but nutritionally balanced for pets,” according to a press release. It’s made at JustFoodForDogs exhibition kitchens throughout Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.
Some Petco stores will feature these kitchens, while others will house smaller pantries and runs that will be supplied with fresh product daily beginning in New York City and Southern California.
“As the inventor of the most radical change in pet food in decades, JustFoodForDogs is on the vanguard of a new trend that is rapidly changing the industry,” said Rebecca Frechette, Petco executive vice president and chief merchandising officer. “We researched other potential partners in the genre and decided to go with JustFoodForDogs as the company’s unwavering commitment to quality and love of pets mirror Petco’s core beliefs. Also, they have invested considerable resources in research and maintain a staff of vets who work tirelessly to improve the product.”
Shawn Buckley, who founded the company in 2010, said JustFoodForDogs’ nutrition consultants will staff the Petco stores. San Diego-headquartered Petco operates 1,500 Petco and Unleashed by Petco locations in North America.
Last year, the $14 billion equity group LCatterton LLC “made a considerable investment in JustFoodForDogs to expand its footprint,” according to the release. This lays the groundwork for the company teaming up with Oakland, California based Pet Food Express (PFE) to build pantries and runs at several of its stores.
“Sales have been so brisk since the partnership started a year ago that PFE has green-lighted additional pantries and runs in its Northern California stores,” according to the release.