Heights Farm Premium Pets Foods, a family-run business based in Bolton, Lancashire, is set to expand its empire with the launch of a new franchise operation.

This will allow more customers across the UK to have Heights Farm’s premium quality pet food delivered straight to their doors via a fleet of vans operated by pet-loving entrepreneurs who are in charge of running their own businesses in their own particular localities.

This model allows customers to make considerable cost savings on their delivered cat and dog food when compared to many other leading premium pet food brands on the market.

Stephen Ward, founder and owner of Heights Farm Premium Pet Foods, set up the company in response to his own experience of the pet food industry when his Douge De Bordeaux Mastiff, Milo started to develop a number of allergies which started to make his life very tough.

Despite being put on a prescription diet by the vet and taking a course of steroid tablets, the vet bills started to mount and Milo’s itchy skin condition continued once he stopped taking the tablets.

Prolonged use of steroids could also have had serious side effects such as liver and kidney damage and it was only after switching to a salmon- based hypoallergenic dry food that many of Milo's symptoms started to clear up.

Stephen said: “For the first time Milo was actually happy, his patchy coat had started to heal and the redness had almost gone. Stool quality was also greatly improved.  It turned out that Milo was in fact wheat and wheat gluten intolerant.

“It was at this point that we felt our dog had been almost held in a state of disrepair. We contacted the veterinary practice explaining that the root cause of Milo’s condition was the wheat-based food that they had been supplying us. Every meal consumed was a trigger and the steroid was then the expensive sticking plaster that never actually fixed anything.

“This experience got us thinking how many more pets and pet owners had been in the same situation as ourselves?

“Poor Milo relied on us for his health and wellbeing and we had been passively making things a whole lot worse through misguidance at considerable expense.

“So after lots and lots of research and investment we decided to come up with the most amazing hypoallergenic blend of complete dry food that would in effect be a health food for dogs and cats with a very special and clinically proven ingredient-Green-Lipped Mussel.

"The extruded kibble is exposed to a steam process that gives a honeycomb texture inside, aiding digestion. The complementary natural ingredients such as Kale, Carrots & Peas, Yucca, Rosemary, Seaweed etc. also complete this natural dry food.

“Trials were carried out and the samples went down a storm. In May 2009 we took the brave step to establish our very own premium pet food company named after our family home Heights Farm Premium Pet Foods.

"The product range starts from puppy through to adult with proteins such as Chicken, Lamb and Salmon. We believe that if your animal benefits from the Green-Lipped Mussel daily you build an excellent bone and joint structure that will support your animal well throughout all life stages.

"There is no need for a senior type of product although we do offer our Dietary+Plus food which is great for maintaining/losing weight. Our products come in 2kg and 15kg sacks and are very keenly priced within the premium graded equivalents.”

Heights Farm has enjoyed steady and consistent growth through word of mouth. The model is based on a very personal one to one service, with unique products, not available on the high street, at a keen price and giving outstanding customer care levels, with a convenient delivered to the door service.

Heights Farm Premium Pet Foods supply nationally with a next day delivery service and internationally within 2-3 days delivered by their courier network and offer free delivery within Bolton Blackburn and Chorley areas from their fully liveried and kitted out Ford Transits.

Stephen continued: “Our next move is to market our fantastic Franchise Opportunity, allowing individuals or couples to invest in our company and purchase a carefully mapped territory which will enable them to grow their very own Heights Farm business.

"Again, we have invested a considerable amount into our franchise operation, particularly in our bespoke IT system 'Datadog' which makes building your business a breeze and allows full business support from our Bolton HQ.

“Initially our plan is to launch franchises throughout our North West region i.e. Preston, Wigan, Worsley, Altrincham, Stockport, Oldham & Rochdale, Warrington, Southport etc. with other national locations being introduced over the coming years. 

“We see this as a fantastic opportunity for people who love animals and being outdoors to create a cash positive business with full head office support. There's no need for any previous business experience as we have all the tools to quickly help you establish your region. The franchise term is 5 years with the option to renew or then market your established Heights Farm business investment. Cost of franchise is £9,999.00 + VAT.”

For further information on setting up your franchise visit www.heightsfarmpetfoods.co.uk, tel 01204 322755 or email enquiries@heightsfarmpetfoods.co.uk

Pictured: Bailey (chief taster), Stephen Ward (founder of Heights Farm Pet Foods) and Carole Sutton (latest franchisee).