LIVONIA, MICH. — Pet Supplies Plus (PSP) announced an expansion throughout the Northeastern United States. The pet food and supplies retailer has acquired 20 Loyal Companion Pet Stores from parent company Independent Pet Partners.

The 20 stores will be evenly divided between PSP and Wag N’ Wash, which the company acquired early in 2022. The stores are located in Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Virginia.

“This is an incredible way to start the year, as this acquisition allows Pet Supplies Plus and Wag 'N Wash to considerably grow their presence throughout the Northeast in a brief period,” said Chris Rowland, chief executive officer of Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N' Wash.

Currently, 12 of the new stores are owned by the PSP’s first dual-branded franchise group, which includes owners Caitlin Greene, Ryan Greene and Ray Vigneault. Following the acquisition, the owners will expand their franchise group network to include 28 PSP locations and 9 Wag N’ Wash locations.

“Over the last few years, we've grown with PSP and more recently, with Wag N' Wash,” Vigneault said. “This new acquisition is yet another opportunity to expand our multi-unit, multi-brand portfolio and serve more pet parents through our vast service offerings.”

PSP will convert the other eight stores into franchise-owned retail locations during the coming months.

“We would like to thank everyone involved who helped execute this acquisition so quickly and so smoothly,” said Nick Russo, chief development and stores officer at PSP. “We are incredibly excited to bring even more neighbors the best-in-class products and services that Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N' Wash offer.”

The acquisition will increase Wag N’ Wash’s store count to 24 throughout the United States, with “several dozen more” to open within the coming years, according to PSP. The retailer also plans to open a corporate Wag N’ Wash near its headquarters in Michigan later this spring.

“We always want to take advantage of prime real estate and strong customer bases and are already in discussions with qualified franchise owners who are excited to add Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N' Wash to their portfolios,” Russo said.

Read more about pet retail trends.