With a proven business model over 35 years and over 340 locations, Wild Birds Unlimited is the #1, largest, and most recognized source for backyard bird feeding and nature-related products in North America. They offer large, protective territories, in-store and online sales, and comprehensive training and support throughout the life of your business. While they sell bird food and bird feeding products, what they really sell is “Joy.” Franchise owners and their staff enhance the lives of their customers and their communities. They provide support to franchise owners to live their dream of owning their own business enterprise, and they get to do it in a way that brings Joy to themselves, their retail customers, and their communities.
Own a business that provides a comprehensive array of bird-feeding products and local nature information to its community.
United States:
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV
Canada:
AB, BC, MB, ON, SK
Only the brands that exceed FBR’s franchisee satisfaction benchmark are displayed on our website. Here’s how Wild Birds Unlimited franchise owners rated their franchise.
Highlights include:
Not all franchise systems share their results publicly. Wild Birds Unlimited does. Download the franchisee satisfaction report on Wild Birds Unlimited for free.
Each Wild Birds Unlimited store functions as a true community resource, providing valuable knowledge about the bird feeding hobby and an exceptional shopping experience. They’ll teach you how to help your customers turn their yards into a bird feeding habitat that not only brings song, color, and joy into their lives, but also benefits the wild birds and the environment.
Winning Culture
The brand’s marketing support program is designed to attract new customers and to keep existing customers coming back. They provide each franchisee a yearly marketing plan, which incorporates direct mail, email marketing, a store website, educational outreach, public relations and other advertising to create a comprehensive strategy. They guide franchise owners through the process of creating a marketing budget to maximize the resources within your local market, including a complete opening and grand opening plan.
Wild Birds Unlimited has a team of more than 45 professionals at our Franchise Support Center in Carmel, Indiana where we are dedicated to helping you be as successful as possible. We encourage every franchise store owner to utilize our 35+ years of expertise in running their business. From the very first day of exploring the Wild Birds Unlimited franchise opportunity to your Grand Opening and beyond, we are here to give you comprehensive, step-by-step support in the critical areas of: Franchise Development, Purchasing, Marketing Inventory Management, Visual Merchandising, Training Retail Operations, and Communications Information Systems.
Hear what makes Wild Birds Unlimited a supportive & community oriented franchise opportunity
Tim and Michelle Farmer weren't looking to become franchisees. Michelle was a customer of her local Wild Birds Unlimited because her passion for nature and birds. When the opportunity presented itself from the previous owner to purchase their local shop, they jumped at the chance to move from customers to franchisees with Wild Birds Unlimited. They purchased their Woodstock, GA location in 2001 and have 5 employees.
Spouses Ken Keffer and Heather Ray grew up on opposite ends of the country: Ken is from Wyoming, and Heather from Florida. They later met in Milwaukee and now call the Midwest their home. Their professional experiences differ, too. Ken holds a degree in wildlife biology, while Heather's world is marketing and communications. Pulling their expertise together, the two now own a Wild Birds Unlimited in Bloomington, Indiana, that opened in 2022. They found WBU to be a great franchise for nature lovers like themselves.
Veterans make great franchisees! Just ask Barb Whipkey of Wild Birds Unlimited. She sat down with Franchise Business Review's CEO Eric Stites (a veteran of the Navy) to talk about the Veteran Franchisee Experience. You might shop at a veteran-owned franchise and you didn't even know it. Many veteran franchisees credit their skills in the military for their success as business owners. Barb Whipkey is no exception! Many franchisors offer discounts to veterans -- make sure you ask if you're looking to invest!
Kyle Odom, franchisee of Wild Birds Unlimited since 2019, said this adventure has been about more than just great profits—it’s about building meaningful customer relationships, creating a thriving team, and fostering a business model that aligns with his values.
After a busy 15-year career as a Registered Nurse, Kindell Tolmie hung up her scrubs to follow her passion for birds and nature. She was a devoted client at her local Wild Birds Unlimited retail store, and felt aligned with its mission to bring people and nature together. It felt like the perfect opportunity to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams.
Ben Ihde loves communing with nature and birding, which made him a natural fit for Wild Birds Unlimited franchise ownership—a franchise system that specializes in feeding and protecting backyard birds.
Each franchise brings a unique set of products, services, culture, and values to its brand, its community, and its franchise family. But what makes certain business owners excel to Franchise Rock Star status? FBR's Franchise Rock Star Awards honor franchise owners who set exceptional examples of success within the franchise business model.
Watch the video replay now to learn more about the Wild Birds Unlimited franchise opportunity and what it takes to become a successful multi-unit franchise owner.
How Wild Birds Unlimited Franchisee, Dean Seifert, transitioned from technology leadership to "selling birdseed", finding greater fulfillment.
Franchise Business Review surveyed franchise owners from 322 brands representing over 8,100 female franchisees to evaluate the level of satisfaction among female franchise owners. According to responses from thousands of women, 87% of female franchise owners confirmed that they enjoy owning and operating their businesses and would recommend their franchises to others.
Wild Birds Unlimited multi-unit franchise owner, Kyle Odom provides insight into what it's like to own and operate two retail franchises in Texas.
FBR Insights: How Renee Edge went from researching retail franchise opportunities to owning multiple Wild Birds Unlimited franchise locations.
Watch the webinar to find out how these franchisors responded to the pandemic to not only survive, but thrive, and how they intend to continue to support their franchisees in 2021 and beyond. Plus, the opportunities they envision in the future.
Wild Birds franchise owner Matt Kosty gives insight on what it’s like to be a franchise owner and the challenges of running your own business.
FBR CEO Eric Stites chats with Wild Birds Unlimited COO Paul Pickett and Franchise Owner Denise Patten about the brand’s mission and how franchisees like Denise are first attracted to the concept and then supported by the leadership team.
Thinking of going into business with your significant other? Many have discovered that the reward of going into business with their partner has far outweighed any risks that may have originally deterred them.
Franchise Business Review recently spoke with Wild Birds Unlimited’s Art and Lisa Martin: "Wild Birds Unlimited would give us the opportunity to work and build relationships which are core beliefs we hold as to why God put us on this earth." Read more from the interview here.
"knowing we are making a positive difference in our environment, while enriching our customer's lives. This IS the joy of bird feeding!" Read More about Cathy Fleischacker & Pam Dymsza's experience as a Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise Owners Here.
We asked the leaders of five of our Culture100 award-winners why creating a winning company culture is so important and how they invested in the success of their franchisees during a very challenging year.
Read inspiring stories from the female franchise owners we spoke with about being successful business owners and breaking through the barriers and challenges that are unique to being a woman in the business world.
Entering its 41st year of operation, Wild Birds Unlimited continues its upward trajectory, with more growth on the horizon. Despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, Wild Birds Unlimited same-store sales rose more than 20% last year.
When Vikki and Mike Bartholomea became empty nesters in 2019, they knew they wanted a change. They moved to Florida and started researching franchises to buy. See why and how they ultimately decided on Wild Birds Unlimited.
Animal-focused businesses are lucrative with $70B spent per year on pets & $7.6B more on wildlife. Here are six business opportunities for animal lovers that have been rated highly for owner satisfaction by the franchisees who operate them.
A conversation with franchise owners from FirstLight Home Care, Wild Birds Unlimited, and FastSigns International.
Congratulations to 2020 franchisee rock stars, Kristen Martyn and Cameron Hogarth, from Wild Birds Unlimited. Hear about their franchising journey and their advice to prospective franchisees.
Gary Fotcher and Kathleen Mulligan have made their WildBirds Unlimited business a family one and say that the franchise model has worked particularly well for them.
Andy Scholl and Jacqueline Venchi own a Wild Birds Unlimited franchise in Alpharetta, GA, and are committed to spreading the Joy of Bird Feeding.
Barbara and Chip Whipkey: Bird enthusiasts and Wild Birds Unlimited franchisees discuss their decision to start franchising.
Hear from Wild Birds Unlimited franchisees, Warren and Courtney French!
Actual owner reviews from our third party, independent surveys.
