Wild Bird Centers of America vs Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Wild Bird Centers of America vs Wild Birds Unlimited 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
Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise
Investment $120,250 - $195,350$170,382 - $281,606
Franchise Fee $25,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 4.5%4%
Advertising Fee -1%
Year Founded 19851981
Year Franchised 19901983
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Wild Bird Centers of America Franchise
Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise
Experience
  • Birding hobby knowledge

    • * Enthusiastic about nature and backyard bird feeding * Interested in owning your own business and working for yourself * Willing to work with others who share the same interests * Committed to building a Business Enterprise *Committed to delivering the ultimate WBU customer experience *Committed to following WBU 'Best Practices' to operate your own WBU store *Comfortable with the needs associated with running a business


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

    Training & Support
     
    Wild Bird Centers of America Franchise
    Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise
    Training - On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: Ongoing
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    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)

    		 25% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Wild Bird Centers of America Franchise
    Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoYes
    International Expansion YesYes

    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 Wild Birds Unlimited

    Jim Carpenter opened the first Wild Birds Unlimited store in Indianapolis in 1981. In 1983 he began franchising. The privately owned company is based in Carmel, Indiana. Each store sells bird-feeding and bird-watching supplies, including birdhouses, feeders, food and binoculars.
    We support you all the way:
    • Rated #1 or #2 in Retail for Franchisee Satisfaction for 14 years
    • Rated in Top 10 Overall for Franchisee Satisfaction for more than 6 years
    • Proven, 35+ year business model
    • Our pre-opening support covers business planning, site selection, lease negotiations, classroom and in-store training, store design and layout
    • Our on-going support includes marketing, merchandising and purchasing, store operations, nature and hobby education, financial and information systems
    • Strong customer loyalty by providing an exceptional customer experience and the highest quality bird food and bird feeding products in the industry
    • Many US and Canadian markets are still available for development
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a  Wild Birds Unlimited Store is from $170,382 to $281,606 for a new franchisee ($145,382 to $256,606 for an existing franchisee who is purchasing an additional Wild Birds Unlimited franchise). This includes an amount of $52,860 - $54,260 that must be paid to the franchisor by a new franchisee (or $27,860 - $29,260 by any existing franchisee).
    Veteran Incentives  15% off franchise fee
       ""     "Top    "Entrepreneur
    In Franchise Business Reviews' Top 200.
    #8 in Gator's Top franchises.
    #137 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #186 in Franchise 500 for 2021.