Wild Birds Unlimited vs Pet Wants Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise
Pet Wants Franchise
Investment $170,382 - $281,606$59,830 - $202,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$38,500 - $48,500
Royalty Fee 4%7%+
Advertising Fee 1%2%
Year Founded 19812010
Year Franchised 19832015
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise
Pet Wants 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
Pet Wants Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

Training & Support

 
Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise
Pet Wants Franchise
Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: Ongoing Class room training - 40 hours
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 Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software
Marketing Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app Co-op Advertising 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
Pet Wants 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 Pet Wants

Pet Wants is transforming the way pet owners buy food, one community at a time. Our premium pet food franchise offers pet lovers a nutritional, convenient alternative to the made-last-year bagged food that’s been sitting in warehouses or on store shelves for months.
Pet Wants kibble is manufactured in small batches of whole, fresh ingredients free of harmful fillers or by-products, and delivered to franchise owners in bulk every 30 days and available only from Pet Wants franchises. The result is a nutrition-rich, delicious food that is better for pets and doesn’t devastate owners’ pocketbooks.
Pet Wants is a top-ranked pet food franchise because of the passion and effort our founder, management team and owners put into the business.  One of the fastest growing pet franchises today, in just two short years, Pet Wants has exploded across the country with more than 70 mobile and retail locations.
Two affordable franchise models mean there is a Pet Wants franchise for virtually any pet-loving entrepreneur. Pet Wants mobile franchise models include an attractive, inviting portable kiosk perfect for farmers’ markets, street fairs and other home shows. A Pet Wants retail franchise is ideal for neighborhoods, busy retail areas, and anywhere people shop. With convenient home delivery options, Pet Wants franchise owners benefit from the potential for tremendous recurring revenue.
Become a community hub for pet lovers in your community. 


The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Pet Wants Mobile Franchise is from $59,830 to $87,000. This includes between $41,500 and $43,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Pet Wants Store Franchise is from $123,850 to $202,000. This includes between $56,500 and $63,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
If the population of your territory is greater than 200,000, you must pay an additional $500 for all or part of every 1,000 people over 200,000.
Veteran Incentives  $1,000-$2,000 off franchise fee

"Entrepreneur
#376 in Franchise 500 for 2020.