First Time Franchisees Move to a New Market to Open Up Their Own Wild Birds Unlimited Location

After putting in decades of hard work in the B2B operations and marketing industries, Diane and Rich DuLoft found themselves at a crossroads. They knew they wanted a break from the daily strains of corporate America, but they also weren’t ready to retire. That’s when they started thinking about franchising.

When it came time to decide what brand to invest with, there were numerous names competing for their attention. But when they realized that Wild Birds Unlimited gave them the opportunity to turn their bird feeding passion into a career, they were sold.

“We ran across a Wild Birds Unlimited ad in a magazine, and it just clicked,” said Diane. “As we started going through the vetting process with the corporate team, it became more and more obvious that this was the right fit for us. The brand offered a level of flexibility and support that we wouldn’t have been able to find on our own. Plus, we had already been loyal Wild Birds Unlimited customers for years!”

But there was one thing standing in the way of the DuLofts opening up their own Wild Birds Unlimited franchise—the Cincinnati, Ohio market where they lived was all sold out. So instead of accepting defeat, they decided to move. The DuLofts had a vacation home in the greater Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area, so they decided to take their entrepreneurial efforts there.

“Diane and Rich are big risk takers, and it ultimately paid off because of their strong beliefs in their own business acumen and the Wild Birds Unlimited franchise development process,” said Paul Pickett, Wild Birds Unlimited’s chief development officer. “It was a complex process that involved significant personal and professional changes in their lives, but they used all of their resources and powered through it. Now they’re fulfilling Wild Birds Unlimited’s mission to bring people and nature together— and they’re doing it with excellence.”

Since the DuLofts opened their first franchise unit last month, they’ve seen incredible success. Every day, customers are walking through their doors with questions and leaving with helpful tips and products to make their bird feeding goals a reality. That heightened level of service is possible because of the brand’s unparalleled relationship with its customers.

“What really makes Wild Birds Unlimited unique is its focus on educating consumers. Every employee and franchisee really goes the extra mile to get to know their customers—the relationship doesn’t begin and end with a transaction,” said Diane. “That extra push to figure out what exactly our customers are looking for to further develop their bird feeding or watching hobby is what’s enabled our store to stand out in such a short amount of time.”

The DuLofts currently operate one Wild Birds Unlimited location, but say there’s definitely room for future expansion. Diane believes the market is wide open, and there’s a real demand for the brand in the Myrtle Beach area.

“We’re the only Wild Birds Unlimited in the market right now, so we have a real opportunity to grow. As soon as our first store fully establishes its own legs, we’re excited to take on another location,” said Diane.

Click here for more information on franchising with Wild Birds Unlimited.