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How to Start a Dog Treat Business in UK [Business Plan]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

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A dog treat business is usually a pet-related business that prepares and sells dog treats. A dog biscuit is a hard biscuit-based dietary supplement for dogs or other canines, similar to human snack food. A dog treats business in the UK can be as small as a single location or as big as a national chain.

Note that dog treats typically have high amounts of fat, oil, and carbohydrates, giving them stronger flavors and smells than most dog foods. The textures, sizes, and variety make treats an exciting change in your dog’s diet. Available statistics show that the UK pet food market is now worth £3.2 billion and the market for dog treats was worth 462 million British pounds in 2018.

Globally, the pet food and treats market was estimated to be valued at US$ 70 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach US$ 96.7 billion by 2028. The increased adoption of pets, particularly in developing nations, is one of the primary drivers of the global pet food treats market growth. The market is expected to grow annually by 1.85% (CAGR 2022-2027).

Steps on How to Start a Dog Treats Business in the UK

  1. Conduct Market Research

If you are considering starting a dog treats business in the UK, you would need reliable market research to be able to maximize profits from the business. The first step in the market research process for your dog treats business is to develop market-based research questions in line with your overall business goals and objectives.

In this regard, you should source information that will help you maximize your business, give you a clue of what your potential market will be looking out for from a dog treats business in the UK and also help you operate your dog treats business in the UK with less stress and of course, build the business to profitability.

a. Who is the Target Market for a Dog Treats Business in the UK?
  • Owners of dogs and related pets
  • Vet clinics
  • Police (Police Dogs).
b. Is Dog Treats Business in the UK a Profitable Business?

Yes, the dog treats business in the UK is quite profitable. Players in the industry make over 462 million British pounds annually.

c. Are There Existing Niches in the Industry?

There is no known niche area when it comes to the pet treat business because the pet treat business is a niche area in the pet stores industry and also in the pet grooming and boarding industry. But on the other hand, some pet treat businesses may decide to major in some key areas or niche areas such as;

  • Organic Dog Treats
  • Non-Organic Dog Treats
d. Who are the Major Competitors?
  • Paw Originals Fish Training Treats.
  • Bounce and Bella Grain-Free Dog Treats.
  • Stella and Chewy’s Carnivore Crunch Treats.
  • Barker and Barker Low Fat Dog Treats.
  • Lily’s Kitchen Bedtime Biscuits.
  • Wagg Low Fat Treats.
  • Coachies Training Treats.
  • Denzel’s Healthy Dog Treats
  • Bounce and Bella Natural Dog Chews
  • Pets Purest Natural Dog Treat Chews
  • Pedigree Tasty Minis
  • Hollings Sprats for Dogs
  • Prior Park Garden Centre
  • Cotswold RAW
  • Murphy’s Doggy Deli
  • RUFF & REGGIE
  • Cotswold Choice
  • SweetPeas Doggy Den.
e. Are There City Regulations or Zoning Laws for Dog Treats Business in the UK?

Yes, there are regulations and zoning laws for dog treats business in the UK. Please note that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for food safety and food hygiene in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. FSA is a non-ministerial department, supported by 7 agencies and public bodies.

Under the Food Safety Act, 1990 and the General Food Law Regulation 178/2002 you are responsible for ensuring that the food customers eat is safe and the quality is what they expect.

Please note that you must register your business with your local Trading Standards office if you make, sell or use animal feed. It is important to also state that in the United Kingdom, the basic food law is intended to assure consumers that foods are pure and wholesome, safe to eat, and produced under sanitary conditions.

f. Is There a Franchise for Dog Treats Business in the UK?

No, there are no franchise opportunities for dog treats business in the UK.

g. What Do You Need to Start a Dog Treats Business in the UK?
  • A Feasibility Report
  • Business and Marketing Plans
  • Business Licenses and Permits
  • A Good Shop facility
  • HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for Value Added Tax (VAT) and/or Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
  • A Corporate Bank Account
  • Supplies of ingredients
  • Employees
  • Startup Capital

  1. Choose a Memorable Business Name

When looking to start a business, before you can begin to file the necessary documents with the constituted authorities or start your website, it is necessary that you come up with a name that you will be recognized with. It is essential that the name you come up with can easily be pronounced, is unique and easily memorable.
Some of the catchy business name ideas suitable for a dog treat business are;

Creative Dog Treat Business Name ideas
  • Doggie Zone© Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • Dog Chips® Dog Treats Company
  • Tandy Gorana© Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • Lauretta McKenzie® Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • Puppy Way™ Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • Francis Highlander™ Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • All Day© Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • Donie Silvans® Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • George Finney© Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • Day Fresh© Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • Larry Duncan® Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • King’s Puppy® Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • Lowey Martins™ Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • Beckham Pekham© Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • Alex Core® Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • Chelsea Puppy™ Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • Rees Morgan™ Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • Big Doggie© Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • Tripple Cray® Dog Treats Company, Ltd.
  • Plaxton Pets™ Dog Treats Company, Ltd.

  1. Register Your Business

a. What Type of Business Structure is Best for Dog Treats Business in the UK?

The United Kingdom has a wide array of options you can choose from if you are looking for a business structure to build your business on. In the UK, you can decide to start your business as a Sole trader, Limited company, Private limited company (LTD or Ltd), a Public limited company (PLC), a Limited liability partnership (LLP), or a Guarantee Company (LBG).

b. Steps to Register a Business in the UK

One of the most important steps you should take on your quest to start a business in the UK is to register the business name with the regulating authority. You can register your new business at Companies House on GOV.UK. Please note that the entire process will take you about 30 minutes if you have all the required details ready before approaching them.

You can register your business online but it will cost you £12 to register a company online (you can pay this fee via PayPal, debit card, or credit card). It takes on average 24hrs for your company to be registered. Please note that to register a business in the UK, you will need to submit the following documents and information:

  • A company name
  • Valid ID
  • Address for the company
  • One or more directors’ names and details (if it is just, you that is fine).
  • Details of the company shares, shareholding, and shareholders (with at least one shareholder).
  • A Memorandum and articles of association.
  • Detailed information on anyone who owns a significant interest or control in the company (this means anyone who owns 25% or more shares or voting rights in the company).
c. What Type of License is Needed to Open a Dog Treats Business in the UK?
  • General Business License
  • Health and Safety Permit
  • Food Handlers’ License
  • Zonal Permits
  • Signage Permit
  • Operational State Facility Inspections.
d. What Type of Certification is Needed to Open a Dog Treats Business in the UK?

You don’t need any certifications to open a dog treats business in the UK.

e. What Documents are Needed to Open a Dog Treats Business in the UK?
  • Business and liability insurance
  • Council Permit
  • HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for Value Added Tax (VAT) and/or Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
  • State Permit and Building Approval
  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • Business License
  • Business Plan
  • Employment Agreement (offer letters)
  • Insurance Policy
  • Online Terms of Use
  • Online Privacy Policy Document
  • Contract Document
  • Company Bylaws
f. Do You Need a Trademark, Copyright, or Patent?

If you are considering opening a dog treats business in the UK, usually, you may not have any need to file for intellectual property protection or trademark. This is so because the nature of the business makes it possible for you to successfully run the business without having any cause to challenge anybody in court for illegally making use of your company’s intellectual properties.

  1. Cost Analysis and Budgeting

a. How Much Does It Cost to Start a Dog Treats Business in the UK?

There is no clear-cut startup cost for a dog treats business in the UK, but available data shows that the cost of starting a dog treats business in the UK ranges between £25,000 to £120,000. But if you intend to buy a dog treats franchise, then you would need to invest approximately £150,000.

Have it in mind that the costs involved in opening a dog treat business in the UK can run into tens of thousands of pounds, depending on your business size. Some of your biggest expenses will include rent, equipment, and employee salaries (if hiring employees).

b. What are the Costs Involved in Starting a Dog Treats Business in the UK
  • Business Registration Fees – £12.
  • Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits – £1,300.
  • Marketing, Branding, and Promotions – £1,000.
  • Business Consultant Fee – £2,000.
  • Insurance – £1,400.
  • Rent/Lease – £35,000.
  • Other start-up expenses include commercial satellite TV subscriptions, stationery (£500), and phone and utility deposits (£1,800).
  • Operational Cost (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – £30,000
  • Start-up Inventory – £7,500
  • Store Equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – £1,750
  • Furnishing and Equipping the Shop and Kitchen – £50,000
  • Website: £600
  • Miscellaneous: £1,500
c. What Factors Determine the Cost of Opening a Dog Treats Business in the UK?
  • The size of dog treats business
  • The choice of location
  • The required licenses and permits
  • The type of facility
  • The types of dog treat produced and retailed in the shop
  • The cost of branding, promotion, and marketing the business
  • The cost of furnishing and equipping the facility
  • The cost of the insurance policy covers
  • The cost of registering the business
  • Source of your supplies and ongoing expenses
  • Cost of recruiting and training your staff
  • The cost for the purchase and customizing of uniforms
d. Do You Need to Build a Facility? If YES, How Much Will It Cost?

It is not compulsory to build a new facility for your dog treats business in the UK. You can operate off a rented or leased facility.

e. What are the Ongoing Expenses of a Dog Treats Business in the UK?
  • Supplies (inventory expenses)
  • Utility bills (internet subscriptions, phone bills, signage, and software renewal fees et al)
  • Salaries of employees
f. What is the Average Salary of your Staff?
  • Shop Manager (Owner) – $£35,000 Per Year
  • Accountant – £$22,630,000 Per Year
  • Pet Treats Chefs – £20,000 Per Year
  • Delivery Guys – £18,100 Per Year
  • Cleaners – £12,000 Per Year
  • Security Guard -£12,000 Per Year
g. How Do You Get Funding to Start a Dog Treats Business in the UK
  • Raising money from personal savings and sale of personal stocks and properties
  • Raising money from investors and business partners
  • Sell shares to interested investors
  • Applying for a loan from your bank/banks
  • Source for soft loans from your family members and friends.

  1. Write a Business Plan

a. Executive Summary

King’s Puppy® Dog treats business, Ltd. is a registered dog treats business in the UK that will be located in one of the busiest residential estates in Prestwich, Manchester. We have been able to lease a shop facility that can fit into the kind of dog treats business we intend launching and the shop facility is located in a corner piece property directly opposite the largest shopping mall in Prestwich, Manchester.

b. Products and Service
  • Organic Dog Treats
  • Non-Organic Dog Treats
c. Mission Statement

Our mission is to establish a dog treats business in Prestwich, Manchester whose dog treats will be celebrated around the world for their crunchy, chewy texture and refined taste. We want to be one of the top 10 largest dog treat brands in the United Kingdom.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to build a business that is beyond selling dog treats but building a global brand.

d. Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of a dog treat business in the UK are to provide retail outlets where patrons can go to buy dog treats or order dog treats if the shop has delivery options.

e. Organizational Structure
  • Shop Manager (Owner)
  • Accountant
  • Dog Treat Chefs
  • Delivery Guys
  • Cleaners
  • Security Guard

Marketing Plan

a. SWOT Analysis
Strength:
  • Ideal location for a dog treats business in the UK
  • Highly experienced and qualified employees and management
  • Access to finance from business partners
  • Unique dog treats recipe
  • Reliable and efficient inventory management system.
Weakness:
  • Financial constraints may restrict the publicity and branding of the business
  • A new business that will be competing with well-established dog treats business in the UK.
  • Inability to retain our highly experienced and qualified employees longer than we want during the teething stage of the business.
Opportunities:
  • Increase in the number of dog owners in the United Kingdom
  • Dog treats are popular in the UK
  • Online market, new services, new technology, and of course the opening of new markets.
Threat:
  • The arrival of a new dog treats business within our market space
  • Economic uncertainty
  • Liability problems
  • The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK could change its regulatory status and decide to enforce strict regulations that can strangulate new businesses like ours.
b. How Do Dog Treats Businesses in the UK Make Money?

Dog treat businesses in the UK make money by selling the following products;

  • Organic Dog Treats
  • Non-Organic Dog Treats
  • Franchise
c. Payment Options
  • Payment with cash
  • Payment via credit cards
  • Payment via online bank transfer
  • Payment via check
  • Payment via mobile money transfer
d. Sales & Advertising Strategies
  • Introduce your dog treats business by sending introductory letters alongside your brochure to pet owners and other key stakeholders throughout the city where your dog treats business is located.
  • Advertise on the internet on blogs and forums, and also on social media like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to get your message across
  • Create a basic website for your business to give your business an online presence
  • Directly market your products
  • Join local dog treats business associations for industry trends and tips
  • Provide discount days for your customers
  • Advertise our business in community-based newspapers, local TV and radio stations
  • List your business on yellow pages ads (local directories)
  • Encourage the use of word-of-mouth marketing (referrals)

Financial Projection

a. How Much Should You Charge for your Products?

Homemade dog treats sell for between $10 and $25. The price should be based on how much it costs for you to make them including the ingredients, packaging, and other selling fees. When pricing your treats, you should have a minimum of 30% profit margin.

b. How Much Profit Do Dog Treats Businesses in the UK Owners Make a Year?

On average, a dog treats business owner rakes in nothing less than £75k revenue and £10-30k net profit per year.

c. What Factors Determine the Amount of Profit to Be Made?
  • The capacity of the dog treats business
  • The location of the dog treats business
  • The management style of the dog treats business
  • The business approach of the dog treats business
  • The advertising and marketing strategies adopted by the dog treat business
  • The number of years the dog treats business is in business
d. What is the Profit Margin of a Dog Treats Business in the UK?

The profit margin of a dog treats business in the UK is not fixed. The average dog treat costs £25 and gross profit margins are typically between 30% and 45%.

e. What is the Sales Forecast?

Below is the sales forecast of a dog treats business in the UK. It is based on the location of the business and other factors as it relates to such startups in the United Kingdom;

  • First Fiscal Year: £240,000
  • Second Fiscal Year: £300,000
  • Third Fiscal Year: £350,000

  1. Set Up your Shop/Office

a. How Do You Choose a Perfect Location for Dog Treats Business in the UK?
  • The demography of the location especially as it relates to people who own dogs
  • The demand for dog treats in the location
  • The purchasing power of businesses and the residents of the location
  • Accessibility of the location
  • The number of dog treat businesses in the location
  • The local laws and regulations in the community/state
  • Traffic, parking and security et al
b. What State and City are Best to Open a Dog Treats Business in the UK?
  • Auckley, South Yorkshire
  • Dorchester, Dorset
  • Ammanford, Carmarthenshire
  • Prestwich, Manchester
  • London
  • Bradford, West Yorkshire
  • Birmingham-Wolverhampton
  • Leeds-Bradford
  • Little Horwood, Buckinghamshire
  • Southampton-Portsmouth
  • Liverpool
  • Newcastle
c. What Equipment is Needed to Operate a Dog Treats Business in the UK?
  • Deep Fryers
  • Industrial Oven
  • Flower Cutters.
  • Olive oil cans.
  • Sauce ladles & spoons.
  • Chips box trolleys.
  • Sauce dispensers
  • Treat boxes
  • Heat-resistant gloves
  • Dog treats delivery bag.

  1. Hire Employees

When it comes to hiring employees for a standard dog treats business in the UK, you should make plans to hire a competent shop manager (you can occupy this position), account clerk (cashier), dog treats chefs, delivery guys, cleaners, and security guard.

  1. Launch the Business Proper

You may not need to organize an opening party when starting your dog treat business. The most important thing for you to do at this point is to increase the publicity of your business. Advertise your dog treats to your neighbors and friends and put your social media handles to good use.

a. What Makes a Dog Treats Business in the UK Successful?
  • Choose a good location and shop facility to launch the business
  • Make available varieties of dog treats (give your customers options)
  • Be deliberate with your marketing sales approach
  • Encourage the use of word of mouth to promote your dog treats business
  • Leverage all available online and offline platforms to promote your dog treat business
b. What Happens During a Typical Day at a Dog Treats Business?

A typical day at a dog treats business in the UK begins with the owner baking dog treats and preparing other pet food items. As the morning progresses, the business picks up and the business owner moves from prepping dog treats to delivering them to customers. As business becomes slower later in the day, work tends to shift towards cleaning and getting ready for the next day.

c. What Skills and Experience Do You Need to Build a Dog Treats Business?
  • Excellent pet food culinary skills
  • Excellent customer services skills
  • Interpersonal skill
  • Accounting and bookkeeping skills
  • Business management skills
  • Bargaining skill
  • Work experience in a dog treats the business environment
  • Experience in managing people
  • Experience in business administration
  • Experience in making different types of dog treats and pet food.
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