Wild Bird Centers of America vs Pet Depot Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Wild Bird Centers of America vs Pet Depot including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Wild Bird Centers of America Franchise
Pet Depot Franchise
Investment $120,250 - $195,350$110,000 - $550,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 4.5%5%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19851990
Year Franchised 19902001
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Wild Bird Centers of America Franchise
Pet Depot Franchise
Experience
  • Birding hobby knowledge
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Wild Bird Centers of America Franchise
    Pet Depot Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/No-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Wild Bird Centers of America Franchise
    Pet Depot Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives-
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising-
    Operations 3% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 5

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Wild Bird Centers of America Franchise
    Pet Depot Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About Wild Bird Centers of America

    Longtime bird-watching enthusiast George H. Petrides Sr. opened his first Wild Bird store in 1985 in Cabin John, Maryland. In 1990 the company began franchising. In addition to its Wild Bird Centers of America Inc., the company also offers Wild Bird Crossing stores designed for smaller markets.

    Besides selling bird watching and feeding equipment and gifts, Wild Bird Centers and Wild Bird Crossings provide demonstrations, kids' programs and other educational events.

    Wild Bird Centers has locations throughout the United States and Canada and is now based in Glen Echo, Maryland.

    About Pet Depot

    In 1991 the first Pet Depot opened in Santa Monica, Ca.

    Named Katie’s PET DEPOT after the founder’s daughter, the store specialized in premium pet foods, pet grooming and quality supplies for all kinds of companion animals. Customers loved the expert pet advice and personal caring service, so the store grew quickly to one of the best places to shop for pet supplies. In fact in 1992, Katie’s was crowned "L.A.’s Best Pet Shop” by Los Angeles Magazine, and was bestowed several more recognitions over the years by local news channels as the "in” place for pets and their owners to shop.

    Winning customer loyalty was easy, as we really do care about your pets and their health.

    In 1992 Katie’s added a second location in Westwood, then acquired the Mar Vista location in 1994 and grew again by opening the large format store in West Los Angeles in 1997.

    The PET DEPOT format was proof that a quality independent pet retailer could compete and grow in a big box world. In fact, most of our customers preferred the personal service at Katie’s PET DEPOT over the impersonal clerks at the larger stores in the area.

    To ensure that each PET DEPOT location maintains the personal touch for every customer, we decided to franchise. This allows us to maintain the best relationships with you, while providing the competitive pricing of a larger chain.

    At PET DEPOT we believe in pride of ownership, so we incorporate the name of individual franchise owners into our logo. Each of these individual owners receives extensive training and has pets of their own, so they can provide the same expert advice and service of our original PET DEPOT stores. We know that you will appreciate shopping at a locally owned business for your pets needs and the expert pet advice each owner will give you.

    PET DEPOT Veterinary Group was founded in 2009 in the Los Angeles area as a full-service veterinary hospital. The community had been shopping at PET DEPOT stores for quality pet food and supplies since 1991. Providing quality healthcare to pets was the next step in our dedication to the well-being of animals. Our company has grown to over 30 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada (and counting), with hybrid retail/hospital locations across eight U.S. states.

    PET DEPOT is growing and offers you an exciting opportunity to join our successful retail program. Currently, our franchises are available in most states in North America, Canada, and Mexico.

    PET DEPOT offers you a choice of franchising options:

    • AREA DEVELOPER: this position affords you exclusive rights to develop PET DEPOT store locations over a specific geographic area

    • INDIVIDUAL FRANCHISEES: for those who’d like to own their own single store.

    Whichever franchising option you choose, now is the time to join with other PET DEPOT owners in the growing retail pet industry.