1851

When <a href="https://franchise.wbu.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-birdwatching-enthusiast-made-a-career-out-of-a-hobby-10579" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" rel="nofollow">Wild Birds Unlimited</a> franchisee Chris Petherick was growing up in Buffalo, New York, he and his family would track birds they saw in their backyard on a big sheet of paper stuck to the side of the refrigerator. Though there were years in his early adult life when he&rsquo;d let his hobby fall by the wayside, that early appreciation of birds and nature never left Petherick. And now, decades into his career, he&rsquo;s transforming his passion for bird watching and feeding into an entrepreneurial endeavor.&nbsp;

Petherick was a <a href="http://wildbirdsunlimited.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-birdwatching-enthusiast-made-a-career-out-of-a-hobby-10579" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wild Birds Unlimited</a> customer for a decade before signing on with the brand. Working in investment management, Petherick felt a calling to create more balance in his life, which he found through birdwatching. Before moving to Fairfield, Connecticut to open his Wild Birds Unlimited business, Petherick lived in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area for 20 years, where the two migratory flyways make it ideal for birdwatching.

&ldquo;There were a few years when I wasn&rsquo;t birdwatching at all, but I took it back up in 2003 or 2004,&rdquo; says Petherick. &ldquo;I enjoy backyard bird feeding, as well as checking out wildlife refuges. I get to take my dog with me and simply enjoy being outside in nature.&rdquo;

During that time, Petherick sought out the nearest Wild Birds Unlimited, located in Mequon, Wisconsin. As he became more of a regular, he built a relationship with the Mequon Wild Birds Unlimited owner, and came to trust in the quality and integrity of the brand.

&ldquo;When I was only a customer, I&rsquo;d go there because of the high quality of the bird feed, and the variety of products like houses and feeders,&rdquo; says Petherick. &ldquo;The owner would sit and walk through everything with me to make sure I was getting what I actually needed. I never felt like I was being oversold.&rdquo;

When Petherick began feeling the itch for a career change, he knew that franchising was a solid industry to enter. Based on the knowledge he gained about the industry during his career in finance, he was drawn to franchising for the support provided to franchisees and the proven business model of successful brands. Petherick started a conversation with the owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited Mequon, WI store, and didn&rsquo;t even consider any other franchise opportunities.

&ldquo;The Wild Birds Unlimited franchise has a great reputation and it&rsquo;s always rated one of the top franchises,&rdquo; says Petherick. &ldquo;They also have a great franchise support center and help you through the entire process, from making the decision to become a franchisee to opening your store. I&rsquo;ve been provided with so much training and support that I really feel like I know what to expect. They want to make sure you&rsquo;re selling your customers the right products so that they can enjoy the pastime and the hobby. That kind of integrity was really important to me.&rdquo;

Focusing on establishing his first location, Petherick hopes to eventually open multiple locations with the brand. The scalability of franchising is what had him interested in the industry to begin with. Opening a Wild Birds Unlimited business involves start-up costs ranging from $125,978 to $199,172, which includes a franchise fee $25,000 per location. Petherick feels confident about the Connecticut market because of its vibrant birdwatching community and large number of protected land where birds flourish.&nbsp;

How This Birdwatching Enthusiast Made a Career out of a Hobby

1851 Franchise

Wild Birds Unlimited franchisee Chris Petherick opens his first storefront in March 2017. 

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

how-this-birdwatching-enthusiast-made-a-career-out-of-a-hobby

Pet Wants

How Pet Wants Franchisees Are Building Stronger Relationships With Pet Parents

how-pet-wants-franchisees-are-building-stronger-relationships-with-pet-parents

Right at Home

Right at Home In-Home Care Services Cleveland Ohio Market Release

Right at Home Expanding In-Home Care Services in Cleveland, Lorain, and Elyria

right-at-home-expanding-in-home-care-services-in-cleveland-lorain-and-elyria

Children's Lighthouse

How These Parents Conquered the Challenge of Finding Quality Childcare: A Children’s Lighthouse Webinar Recap

how-these-parents-conquered-the-challenge-of-finding-quality-childcare-a-childrens-lighthouse-webinar-recap

Want a Business With Purpose? Learn From a Health Care Veteran Turned Franchise Leader

want-a-business-with-purpose-learn-from-a-health-care-veteran-turned-franchise-leader

Woodhouse Spas

Karen Garrett Isn’t Selling Franchises — She’s Helping Entrepreneurs Find the Right Fit at Woodhouse Spas

karen-garrett-woodhouse-spa-franchise-development

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Restaurant Business: Crumbl Cools Its Expansion, Refocuses on Profitability

restaurant-business-crumbl-cools-its-expansion-refocuses-on-profitability

Franchise Face-Lifts: Why Major Restaurant Brands Are Betting Big on Remodels

franchise-face-lifts-why-major-restaurant-brands-are-betting-big-on-remodels

How New Tariffs Are Causing Price Hikes and Surcharges for U.S. Businesses and Franchises - 1851

Tariffs Prompt Price Hikes, Surcharges as Businesses (and Franchises) Brace for Rising Costs 

tariffs-prompt-price-hikes-surcharges

franchise supplier award design with Locate AI logo and 1851 Franchise badge

Franchise Real Estate Services | Locate AI — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

locate-ai-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Franchise Financial Reporting, Analytics and Business Intelligence | Qvinci

Franchise Financial Reporting, Analytics and Business Intelligence | Qvinci — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

franchise-financial-reporting-analytics-and-business-intelligence-qvinci-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Consulting and Development | Big Sky Franchise Team — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

Big Sky Franchise Team: Expert Consulting for Scalable Growth

consulting-and-development-big-sky-franchise-team-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Photo of powerlifter, wearing red singlet and white socks, preparing to deadlift

The 5 Business and Life Lessons I Learned from Powerlifting

the-5-business-and-life-lessons-i-learned-from-powerlifting

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Greeva Patel and BIGGBY COFFEE logo

BIGGBY® COFFEE Franchisee Brings Passion for Community and Coffee to East Dundee

biggby-coffee-franchise-east-dundee-illinois

The Top 20 Cleaning Franchises to Invest in for 2025

top-cleaning-franchises-to-invest-in

How This Birdwatching Enthusiast Made a Career out of a Hobby

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS