Pet Food Express
A California pet-food and pet-supplies retailer focused on premium products, animal welfare, and in-store pet services.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Pet Food Express is a privately held California retail chain specializing in pet food, treats, supplies, and related services. The company emphasizes premium, holistic, and health-oriented products rather than competing solely as a broad discount grocer. Its stores also provide self-service dog-washing facilities and, in many locations, support cat-adoption activities through partnerships with animal-rescue organizations. The business developed from Michael Levy’s dog-training operation. Levy began working in dog training in 1976 and opened a San Francisco location in 1980 that combined training with the sale of selected pet food and supplies. In 1987, he moved away from dog training to concentrate on retail. The business had grown to three locations by the time Mark Witriol joined as a business partner in 1992. It subsequently expanded into a sizable regional chain serving Northern and Southern California. Pet Food Express’s retail offer generally includes dry, wet, and fresh pet foods; treats; supplements; collars, leashes, beds, crates, toys, grooming products, litter, and other household pet-care goods. The chain’s positioning is built around product quality, knowledgeable service, and a curated selection of brands. Its self-service dog-wash facilities extend the brand beyond product retail and provide a practical service for customers who want to wash their dogs outside the home. Animal welfare is a notable part of the company’s operating identity. Pet Food Express states that it works with more than 350 nonprofit animal-rescue and shelter organizations. It began installing cat-adoption centers in stores in 2011 and has reported that approximately 1,000 cats had been adopted through its California locations since the program began. The company also describes recurring donations to rescue and shelter partners, although the amount and current scope of those donations should be verified against a current company source. By the period described in the available reference material, Pet Food Express operated approximately 60 stores in Northern California and nine additional locations in Southern California. In June 2022, the company entered into a partnership with Rainier Partners, a private-equity firm, to support further growth. The transaction did not convert the retailer into a publicly listed company. Pet Food Express remains a regional, California-centered specialty retailer whose differentiation rests on premium pet nutrition, store-based services, and community relationships with animal-welfare organizations.
History
Pet Food Express traces its origins to Michael Levy’s work in dog training. Levy started a dog-training business in 1976, establishing an early connection with pet owners and their everyday animal-care needs. In 1980, he opened a San Francisco location that sold some pet food and supplies alongside the training operation. This combination gave the business an initial retail foothold while retaining a service-oriented relationship with customers. In 1987, Levy left dog training in order to focus on retail. The change marked the company’s transition from a training business with merchandise sales into a dedicated pet-food and pet-supplies retailer. By 1992, the business had reached three locations, and Mark Witriol joined as a business partner. Their partnership supported the company’s subsequent development as a multi-store chain. The retailer’s business model centered on a curated selection of pet products, particularly premium, holistic, and health-focused food. In addition to food and treats, stores offered a broad range of supplies for dogs, cats, and other companion animals. Self-service dog washing became an additional store-based service, giving customers a practical reason to visit beyond routine product purchases. Pet Food Express also developed an animal-welfare component. The company formed relationships with hundreds of nonprofit shelters and rescue organizations and introduced cat-adoption centers in its stores beginning in 2011. These centers enabled cats from partner organizations to be presented to prospective adopters in retail settings. The company has estimated that roughly 1,000 cats were adopted through its California stores since the program began. Its stated support for rescue groups has included recurring donations and other partnerships, although current donation totals require confirmation from a current primary source. The chain expanded primarily within California. The available reference describes approximately 60 stores in Northern California and nine more in Southern California. This footprint made Pet Food Express a significant regional specialty retailer while keeping the brand geographically concentrated rather than presenting it as a national or international chain. In June 2022, Pet Food Express joined with Rainier Partners, a private-equity firm, to help grow the business further. The partnership represented a new ownership and capital phase for the retailer, but the available material does not specify transaction value, exact control arrangements, or subsequent store-growth figures. Pet Food Express remains described as an active California-based retailer operating around premium pet nutrition, pet supplies, self-service dog washing, and animal-rescue engagement.
- 2022
Rainier Partners joins the company
[1]In June 2022, Pet Food Express partnered with Rainier Partners to support additional business growth.
- 2011
Cat-adoption centers begin appearing in stores
[1]Pet Food Express began setting up cat-adoption centers in its California stores through relationships with shelters and rescue organizations.
- 1992
Mark Witriol joins as business partner
[1]The business had expanded to three locations when Mark Witriol became Levy’s business partner.
- 1987
Levy shifts focus to retail
[1]Levy left the dog-training business to concentrate on the development of pet-food and pet-supplies retail.
- 1980
First San Francisco retail location opens
[1]Levy opened a San Francisco location that combined dog training with sales of pet food and supplies.
- 1976
Michael Levy begins a dog-training business
[1]The business that eventually led to Pet Food Express began with Michael Levy’s dog-training operation.
Products and positioning
A regional specialty pet retailer centered on premium nutrition, product quality, practical in-store services, and support for animal-rescue organizations.
Pet nutrition
Premium pet food
The retailer’s core assortment includes premium, holistic, and health-oriented food for dogs and cats, alongside food for other companion animals. The selection is positioned around quality and nutritional attributes rather than only low price, and is supported by treats, supplements, and related wellness products.
Pet accessories and care
Pet supplies
Pet Food Express sells everyday supplies such as toys, collars, leashes, harnesses, beds, crates, grooming items, litter, and other products used in household pet care. The assortment extends the chain’s role from a food specialist into a broader companion-animal retailer.
Pet services
Self-service dog washing
Selected stores provide self-service dog-washing facilities. This service gives customers an in-person grooming option and creates an additional reason to visit the stores beyond buying food and supplies.
Animal-welfare service · 2011
In-store cat adoption
Beginning in 2011, Pet Food Express introduced cat-adoption centers in stores in cooperation with shelters and rescue groups. The program integrates adoption activity into the retail environment and forms part of the company’s community and animal-welfare identity.
Marketing campaigns
- 2011Cat-adoption center program
California
Pet Food Express began creating cat-adoption centers in its stores in partnership with animal shelters and rescue organizations.
Outcome. The company has estimated that approximately 1,000 cats were adopted through its California stores since the program began.
- Rescue and shelter partnerships
California
The company works with more than 350 nonprofit animal-rescue and shelter organizations and supports them through donations and retail-based collaboration.
Outcome. The program is described as an ongoing community initiative; current annual support figures should be verified from a current company source.
Brand decisions
2022
Partner with Rainier Partners for growthM&ABackground
Pet Food Express sought additional support for continued business expansion as a regional California retailer.
Action taken
In June 2022, the company joined with Rainier Partners, a private-equity firm.
Aftermath
The partnership created a new platform for growth, but the available reference does not provide transaction terms or later expansion results.
1987
Concentrate on retail rather than dog trainingStrategyBackground
The business had originated in dog training while also selling pet food and supplies.
Action taken
Michael Levy left dog training to focus the company on retail.
Aftermath
The decision established the direction that developed into the Pet Food Express specialty-retail chain.
Recent events
- 2022
Pet Food Express partners with Rainier Partners to support further growth[1]
M&A
Pet Food Express joined with private-equity firm Rainier Partners in June 2022 in a transaction intended to help the California retailer expand its business.
- 2011
Pet Food Express expands its cat-adoption program[1]
Other
The retailer began establishing cat-adoption centers in its stores, working with animal shelters and rescue organizations in California.
Sources3 sources
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