Cat urine actually glows in the dark, so if you know it's there somewhere, use a UV light to help mark the spot.

The budgie (aka budgerigar) is the most popular cage bird in the world.

The betta is a labyrinth fish, which means that instead of breathing through gills underwater it breathes air from the surface.

Operating since 1981 we have continually improved the retailing system of our stores. Our organization is committed to an ongoing market and product research program to ensure that our stores are providing the product and service the customer requires.

Our first major improvement was in the presentation of our outlets to the consumer. After extensive research we changed the name to Ruffin’s Pet Centre and developed our mascot. With this change we established a unique image in the marketplace that differentiates us from any competition. This image also provides an immediate connection with a pet related outlet.

Our second major improvement was in the development of our own brand of pet products. Our first area of focus was dry pet foods. We specified the formulation required to provide superior nutritional value at a reasonable cost. We contracted a first line food processor to produce our product on a quality controlled basis. The result is the Ruffin’s Choice line of dry dog and cat foods. After the success of the food line, we started producing other lines that qualify for the Ruffin’s Choice label.

Our third and most significant improvement was the establishment of committed franchisees in viable locations. Some franchise organizations are more concerned with receiving a franchise fee than the long term health of the organization. For a personal service retailer such as Ruffin’s our franchisees are the lifeblood of the company. We carefully screen our prospective franchisees and only locate stores in areas that have long term success indicators.

These key success factors, combined with considerable effort and experience, has led Ruffin’s to be at the leading edge of successful pet retailing.

Trade Marks

We registered the use of "Ruffin’s" shortly after changing the corporate name. This registered trade mark covers use in the store names, products for sale and designs utilizing the dogs head.

We have established our own line of products, Ruffin’s Choice, which feature our dog as the logo. We have commissioned over thirty different designs incorporating our logo. Some of these designs were specifically developed for T-shirt sales and team sponsorship. These designs have become sought after statements in some of our franchisees’ territories.

We have received tremendous positive consumer feedback about our Ruffin’s dog and are developing more uses for the designs on an ongoing basis.

With Ruffin’s Choice conveying a strong positive image to the consumer we are expanding our private label selection as the opportunities allow. With our considerable buying power and superior marketing strategies we also sell other branded products not available to our competition. We are always examining new products to determine if they will better serve the consumer while allowing our stores to increase their gross profit. We typically review over 100 new product opportunities a year. From this extensive product analysis we typically list five new products.

Ruffin's Pet Centre
is a proud member of:

The Canadian Franchise Association 

Store Design

Every Ruffin’s Pet Centre is designed to maximize profit while minimizing overhead. In the past seventeen years we have refined our merchandising and fixturing in order to provide the best use of retail space. Our contacts in the store fixture industry allow us to outfit your store at a reasonable cost. We also encourage our franchisees to participate in the store layout and will make modifications when possible.

We are continually updating our store design features through round table discussions with our franchisees and review of other retail outlets. When we discover an improvement our existing stores will incorporate the change when possible.

Training

Our training program is one of the most comprehensive in the pet industry. At the core of every successful franchise operation is a commitment to provide the best customer service possible. This includes providing superior pet care, excellent store cleanliness, product organization and smooth personnel management.

We at Ruffin’s developed our own pet care certificate course " CANSC" - Companion Animal Nutrition Specialist Certificate, which provides specific information on animal nutrition and care. We also developed our own store training manual which covers every aspect of successful store management for the franchisee.

Every new franchisee receives a combination of training in store and at our warehouse prior to opening. This training is custom designed to meet the needs of the individual franchisee.

Product Selection and Distribution

Each of our locations offers for sale a core group of products that have a proven demand in the marketplace. The franchisees, with the companies assistance, then adjust the product selection to satisfy local consumer requirements.

Ruffin’s provides a significant percentage of the products offered for sale by the stores. We have computerized inventory reporting which allows us to maintain optimal stock levels for our franchisees. For products not available through Ruffin’s we have established suppliers with our own corporate discount structure. These suppliers provide deliveries as required by our franchisees.

Our numerous suppliers allow us to provide over 7,000 products for sale. We review new products for sale on a proactive basis and provide suggested retail selling prices.

Product and Store Promotion

Ruffin’s Pet Centres utilizes a variety of media methods to effectively promote the franchise locations. We run both chain wide promotions and local advertising features to create significant name recognition. We incorporate our mascot, when possible, in our advertising programs to stimulate an immediate visual recognition in our target consumers.

Concurrent with our store advertising we run our in store product promotions. We have developed an ongoing product promotion plan that addresses seasonal consumer demands on a timely basis. These in store promotions provide enhanced savings for our existing customers and additional net profits for our franchisees.

The Ruffin’s Retail System

We have outlined some of the components of the Ruffin’s Retail System. These components combine to provide the most effective franchise retail pet centre operations in Ontario. This system is the infrastructure of your successful Ruffin’s franchise location.

The Ruffin’s Pet Centre Franchise Opportunity

Ruffin’s Pet Centre is a unique chain of quality pet retail outlets. Our concept combines the fun atmosphere of a pet shop with the high volume of a pet food store.

With Ruffin’s Retail System as the operating guideline the franchisees are allowed to focus their energies on customer service and satisfaction. The synergy of the professional corporate support group and the dedicated owner/operator makes your Ruffin’s Pet Centre franchise a success. 

The Canadian Pet Market

There is no doubt that Canadians love their pets. The Canadian market for pets and pet related items is over a billion dollars per year. Aquariums and fish is the # 2 hobby in North America. The average per household pet related expenditures increases on a yearly basis. What does all this spending on pets mean to you as a Ruffin’s Pet Centre franchisee?

Just this— the retail pet market is massive and still under serviced. The pet superstores locate in densely populated residential markets. The major department stores are not actively pursuing the pet consumer. The grocery stores sell a substantial amount of pet food in Canada but they do not merchandise supplies, pets or fish. This leaves room for a quality chain of pet shops that provide the consumer the products and service they require at a fair price. That chain is Ruffin’s Pet Centres.

Summary of Services and Benefits

Listed below you will find the services and benefits that you, as a Ruffin’s franchise owner, will receive:

• A license to operate as a Ruffin’s Pet Centre
• The right to use and display the company name and logo
• Assistance in area selection
• Protected territory
• Lease negotiation
• Financing application package (if required)
• Store layout and design
• Complete turnkey operation at your discretion
• Custom designed training package
• Direct discounts from approved suppliers
• Over 400 products, including Ruffin’s Choice branded products delivered direct from our warehouse
• Chain wide advertising programs
• Franchise meetings and product information seminars
• Marketing and merchandising supervision
• Bookkeeping and inventory control assistance

Your Commitment

In order to receive the benefits of this franchise program certain obligations are required on your behalf.

You are required sign our standard Retail Franchise Application (basically a non-disclosure document) prior to receiving further details, disclosure documents regarding Ruffin’s.  If you decide to become a franchisee you will be required to pay a deposit as part of the franchise fee.

Prior to starting the franchise you will also be required to sign a lease agreement for your location. Once signed you will be required to purchase a complete store, including inventory, prior to opening. As a owner/operator you are responsible for all the ongoing operating expenses. You have responsibility for the successful operation of the store including inventory control, merchandising and personnel management.

As part of the franchise group you are required to pay four percent of your sales to Ruffin’s Pet Centre as a franchise royalty. In addition, one percent of your sales will be added to the franchise Advertising Fund, our chain wide advertising program.

Your franchise will be subject to the conditions and rules as detailed in the store lease.

Each franchisee will be required to operate and maintain their store to the high standards prevalent throughout the Ruffin’s chain.

Franchise Term

Our standard franchise term is five years. We specify additional renewal terms at the completion of the agreement. Our franchise agreement does not require additional fees be paid upon renewal. Our franchise agreement usually corresponds with the head lease agreement so there may be local variations.

The franchise fee, inventory and store leaseholds are all your assets. As your store improves there can be appreciation of these assets. During the term of the agreement you are free to sell your franchise at your price. Our only condition is that the purchasers must be qualified by head office.

We presently have franchisees operating under their third renewal, a testament to the success they enjoy as a Ruffin’s Pet Centre franchisee.

Would you like to receive an information package on a Ruffin's Pet Centre Franchise?

Request For Information(link)