Year began: 1981 Franchising since: 1983 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.
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11711 N. College Ave., #146 Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: (888)730-7108
Fax: (317)208-4050
| Franchisor is a privately-held company with 43 employee(s); 2 employee(s) in franchise department.
Franchisee Association
Franchise Advisory Council
Contact: Paul Pickett, (888)302-2473
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Franchise Growth
U.S. Franchises280
293
294
285
Canadian Franchises14
14
12
11
Foreign Franchises0
0
0
0
Where Seeking Franchisees
Nationwide
Outside the U.S.:
Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Varies
Special Programs
Wild Birds Unlimited is involved in several conservation efforts, including the Pathways to Nature Conservation Fund, the Junior Naturalist Program, Project FeederWatch and many more.
Costs & Fees
Total investment: $99K-146K
Express/kiosk option available
Franchise fee: $18K
Ongoing royalty fee: 4%
Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable
| Type of Financing Available |
| In-House | Third Party |
| Franchise Fee | Yes | No |
| Startup Costs | No | No |
| Equipment | No | No |
| Inventory | No | No |
| Accounts Receivable | No | No |
| Payroll | No | No |
Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $150K
Cash liquidity requirement: $30K
Business Experience:- Must love birds & nature, people skills
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)
Training & Support
TRAINING- Available at headquarters: 6 days
- At franchisee's location: 2 days
- At annual meeting: 5 days
ONGOING SUPPORT- Newsletter
- Meetings
- Toll-free phone line
- Grand opening
- Internet
- Security/safety procedures
- Field operations/evaluations
- Purchasing cooperatives
MARKETING SUPPORT- Co-op advertising
- Ad slicks
- National media
Rankings in Entrepreneur magazine 2004-2008
Franchise 500® rank:#364 (2008); #191 (2007); #179 (2006); #210 (2005); #153 (2004);
Ranked #1 in category in:
2007; 2006; 2005; 2004;
America's Top Global Franchises:#139 (2007); #129 (2006); #159 (2005); #119 (2004);
Last Updated: 8/26/2008 12:00:00 AM
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