Woof Gang Bakery, the leader in specialty pet retail and grooming with more than 100 locations across the U.S., is implementing strategic plans for growth in the Savannah market. In 2015, the first Woof Gang Bakery store opened in City Market. In just three years, the company now has six stores in downtown Savannah, and has introduced professional pet grooming, among other new products and services.

“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.”

“Little did I know that one day I would reconnect with Greg Lard, a person from my early Jani-King days who would bring a vast amount of franchise experience, be an ideal Woof Gang Bakery franchisee, and love the community and city of Savannah as much as I do,” said Allen.

In July 2018, Savannah local Greg Lard will become the franchisee of Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Savannah, assuming all day-to-day operations for the six Savannah stores. Lard also has the rights to open new Woof Gang Bakery stores in Pooler and Richmond Hills.

The company’s local investment continues as all franchise training operations will transfer to Savannah. 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.

Currently, Woof Gang Bakery has 17 full-time employees in the area and this number will increase to 30 with the planned market expansion.

“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,” added Allen.