Entrepreneur: Start & Grow Your Business

Wild Birds Unlimited

Bird watching and feeding supplies

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.
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

Franchise Growth

Year

2007
2006
2005
2004

U.S. Franchises

280
293
294
285

Canadian Franchises

14
14
12
11

Foreign Franchises

0
0
0
0

Company
Owned

0
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