Wild Birds Unlimited vs Ben's Barketplace Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Wild Birds Unlimited vs Ben's Barketplace including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise
Ben's Barketplace Franchise
Investment $170,382 - $281,606$189,200 - $352,050
Franchise Fee $30,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee 1%3%local+2%Nat'l
Year Founded 19812005
Year Franchised 19832015
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise
Ben's Barketplace Franchise
Experience

* 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

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Financing Options
 
Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise
Ben's Barketplace Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
Equipment No/Yes-/-
Inventory No/Yes-/-
Receivables No/No-/-
Payroll No/No-/-

Training & Support
 
Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise
Ben's Barketplace Franchise
Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: Ongoing Ben's franchisees become well educated on the pet food supply industry and the nutritional needs of pets before the doors of a new store open, and are updated on industry and companywide changes throughout franchise ownership.
Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform Ben's Barketplace franchise support is never more than a phone call away. Experts on pet nutritional information, as well as pet food supplies and products, affiliates of Ben's Barketplace have an appreciation for pets of all kinds.
Marketing Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app -
Operations 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)

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Expansion Plans
 
Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise
Ben's Barketplace Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion Yes-
International Expansion Yes-

Company Overviews

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.









About Ben's Barketplace

More than just a pet supply store, Ben's Barketplace franchise owners embrace the opportunity to personally interact with customers to ensure their pets thrive through species correct nutrition.
Dogs and cats are our passion! When our customers seek our knowledge and expertise for their pets’ specific nutritional requirements, we've become a part of their family. This customer loyalty is what sets us apart from all other pet food stores!
Recession proof market. Even in times of economic downturn, pets play an important role in people's lives and require the best food and products available.


Veterans made this country great and continue to keep us safe, so Ben’s Barketplace offers a 25% discount off the initial franchise fee for veterans!