Breaking Down the Franchise Fee: Wild Birds Unlimited

For most people looking to open a franchise, the cost can play a huge role in their decision-making process. Start-up costs vary from franchise to franchise, but all revolve around entrepreneurs buying into a system that allows them to gain insight into a business and receive ongoing support from industry experts. 

1851 Franchise spoke with Paul Pickett, Chief Development Officer for Wild Birds Unlimited*, to help break down what is included in the brand’s start-up costs and what benefits franchisees gain from joining Wild Birds Unlimited.

The overall investment for a Wild Birds Unlimited franchise ranges from $146,516 to $249,956. The fee varies from market to market depending on the cost of real estate, but always includes the one-time franchise fee of $30,000. “This fee helps you gain access to all marketing collateral and brand best practices, but we also provide assistance for new franchisees, including site selection and lease negotiation assistance.  We also provide a tremendous amount of continuing education and assistance for existing franchisees,” said Pickett.

For new franchisees, the initial investment gives access to resources that launches them into the start-up process. “Our start-up assistance is amazing. We have a Franchise Support Center that helps potential and current franchisees every step of the way. We help to get the store up and running as soon as possible and as quickly as possible. Our center is made up of over 40 professionals that will guide new franchisees and provide them with the correct tools to operate their business,” Pickett said.

As a new owner, franchisees will also work alongside the New Owner Development team which is made up of business coaches, training managers, store planners, marketing managers and hobby education managers. This team will help new franchisees identify a site for their location and help negotiate a price for the lease. The development team is designed to help new owners get off on the right start and guide them during their journey in owning a new business.

Once franchisees have been in the system for a year, they transition from the New Owner Development team to having their own business coach. This coach helps franchisees put systems in place so they are able to implement and execute Wild Birds Unlimited best practices and grow their business, creating a path for future success.

Throughout this entire process, franchisees are guided in educating themselves on the brand’s mission and learning how to run their own enterprise. Store owners have access to ongoing education materials, marketing assistance, merchandise and information systems. In addition, franchisees are provided access to financial and accounting tools to help them better understand the profit and cash flow in their business.

The ongoing business training and support provided by Wild Birds Unlimited teaches franchisees to be business owners so they are able to achieve their personal and professional goals. 

“We want to make sure that our franchise fee is competitively priced, but franchisees are still able to benefit from our resources,” Pickett shared. “We do have a relatively low franchise fee and we try not to raise it often so franchisees can get up and running and are profitable as soon as possible!”