Wild Bird Centers of America Inc.

Founded: 1985 Franchising since: 1990
Longtime bird-watching enthusiast George H. Petrides Sr. opened his first Wild Bird store in 1985 in Cabin John, Maryland. In 1990 the company began franchising. In addition to its Wild Bird Centers of America Inc., the company also offers Wild Bird Crossing stores designed for smaller markets.

Besides selling bird watching and feeding equipment and gifts, Wild Bird Centers and Wild Bird Crossings provide demonstrations, kids' programs and other educational events.

Wild Bird Centers has locations throughout the United States and Canada and is now based in Glen Echo, Maryland.

7370 MacArthur Blvd. Glen Echo, Maryland 20812

Phone: (800)945-3247/ (301)229-9585

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 16 employee(s); 2 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2008	78	1	0	0
2007	83	0	0	0
2006	83	0	0	0
2005	92	1	0	1

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, United states, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Outside the U.S.: Canada

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: 25-100 square miles, 75,000-250,000 population

Total investment: $94.9K-149.3K Franchise fee: $23K

Ongoing royalty fee: 3.5-5.5% Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	Yes	No
Startup Costs	Yes	No
Equipment	Yes	No
Inventory	Yes	No
Accounts Receivable	No	No
Payroll	No	No

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $150K
Cash liquidity requirement: $33K-50K
Business Experience:

• Birding hobby knowledge

Operations

• 3% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 4
• Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 6 days
• At franchisee's location: 1-2 days
• At annual convention (3 days/year); additional training optional

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
• Regional advertising

Other marketing support

• Local advertising support

Franchise 500® rank:
#490 (2007); #374 (2005);