Paris a hub for premium dog food
Reporter Denise Cravens of the Paris Beacon-News interviewed us recently and profiled our premium dog food business. She noted that we are off to a good start—thanks to our customers across the country!
She also noted the variety of our natural dog food offerings—and our free shipping on orders of more than $50, a feature that sets us apart from the competition.
Here’s her story (no direct link available):
K9 Cuisine opens doors in Paris
By DENISE CRAVENS
Beacon-News Staff Writer
When Anthony Holloway and his family got their dog Daisy, they had to drive all the way to Champaign for her food because the specific brand was not readily available.
This led Holloway to check out pet food online, but the cost of shipping was outrageous.
“I’ve been in business for 18 years. I know that it didn’t cost that much to ship,” said Holloway.
Holloway began his own e-commerce business, K9 Cuisine.
K9 cuisine is all high-end dog food.
“Premium” is a marketing term, explained Holloway, and when consumers buy a “premium name brand” products at the grocery store they are not always getting what they bargained for.
Holloway finds real “premium” dog foods for his customers. He researches to find the best food with strict criteria.
The Whole Dog Journal and dogfoodanalysis.com are two of his sources.
The food must not contain any grain products, because a dog’s digestive system is not designed to handle grain.
It must have a named protein source such as chicken or turkey as opposed to just saying poultry or meat.
“That’s a great indicator of the quality of the food,” said Holloway.
No additives or preservatives or other products that could harm a dog are added to any products sold by K9 Cuisine.
He tries to find gluten-free food, but that is not an absolute criteria.
What started out as a side business has become a full-time job for Holloway.
He currently serves 2,200 customers online and his business is growing at the rate of 50 percent a month.
What’s different about his company is K9 Cuisine does not charge shipping.
“The number one reason people don’t buy online is the cost,” said Holloway.
There is a purchase minimum for the shipping. Paris customers usually get their food same-day delivery, hand delivered by a K9 Cuisine employee. Customers in Paris are also exempt from the purchase minimum.
Most of the customers are not local, however, and they receive their food in 2 to 3 days.
“We have a great deal with U.P.S.,” said Holloway.
Brands sold by the company include Burns Health, Orijen, Timberwolf Organics and other brands not found in the average grocery store.
Along with dog food, the web-based company also offers treats, supplements, grooming and bath, toys and chews for dogs as well as some cat food.
For more information, or to place an order, go to www.K9cuisine.com.
By DENISE CRAVENS
Beacon-News Staff Writer
When Anthony Holloway and his family got their dog Daisy, they had to drive all the way to Champaign for her food because the specific brand was not readily available.
This led Holloway to check out pet food online, but the cost of shipping was outrageous.
“I’ve been in business for 18 years. I know that it didn’t cost that much to ship,” said Holloway.
Holloway began his own e-commerce business, K9 Cuisine.
K9 cuisine is all high-end dog food.
“Premium” is a marketing term, explained Holloway, and when consumers buy a “premium name brand” products at the grocery store they are not always getting what they bargained for.
Holloway finds real “premium” dog foods for his customers. He researches to find the best food with strict criteria.
The Whole Dog Journal and dogfoodanalysis.com are two of his sources.
The food must not contain any grain products, because a dog’s digestive system is not designed to handle grain.
It must have a named protein source such as chicken or turkey as opposed to just saying poultry or meat.
“That’s a great indicator of the quality of the food,” said Holloway.
No additives or preservatives or other products that could harm a dog are added to any products sold by K9 Cuisine.
He tries to find gluten-free food, but that is not an absolute criteria.
What started out as a side business has become a full-time job for Holloway.
He currently serves 2,200 customers online and his business is growing at the rate of 50 percent a month.
What’s different about his company is K9 Cuisine does not charge shipping.
“The number one reason people don’t buy online is the cost,” said Holloway.
There is a purchase minimum for the shipping. Paris customers usually get their food same-day delivery, hand delivered by a K9 Cuisine employee. Customers in Paris are also exempt from the purchase minimum.
Most of the customers are not local, however, and they receive their food in 2 to 3 days.
“We have a great deal with U.P.S.,” said Holloway.
Brands sold by the company include Burns Health, Orijen, Timberwolf Organics and other brands not found in the average grocery store.
Along with dog food, the web-based company also offers treats, supplements, grooming and bath, toys and chews for dogs as well as some cat food.
For more information, or to place an order, go to www.K9cuisine.com.
