Wild Birds Unlimited Franchisee Scott Gunther Credits Leadership Team with Providing Invaluable Support During Challenging Climate

Government-mandated lockdowns and shutdowns of businesses due to COVID-19 have affected a wide range of industries, and this is no different for Wild Birds Unlimited. The nation’s leading bird feeding franchise, which has more than 300 points of presence in the U.S. and Canada, had to pivot quickly in order to help franchisees navigate the crisis.

This franchisee support has included making sure all franchisees knew how to use and leverage the brand’s online sales platform, MyWBU, creating marketing collateral to promote MyWBU and curbside service, setting up a coronavirus hotline for franchisees and more.

“The main benefit of franchising versus going into business alone is that you have franchisor support during good times and bad times, and that is something the Wild Birds Unlimited leadership team has always taken very seriously,” Chief Development Officer Paul Pickett said. “The home office is taking every possible step to ensure franchisees are supported as much as possible during the coronavirus pandemic. Wild Birds Unlimited is also developing step-by-step best practices in regards to cleanliness and working closely with our franchisees to implement a safe and thoughtful in-store experience when stores reopen.”

One franchisee who has benefited from this support is Scott Gunther, who has owned and operated the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Paramus, New Jersey since 2006. His store is located in the state’s Bergen County, which Gunther noted was one of the hardest-hit areas outside of New York City. Since the state of New Jersey went into total lockdown, Gunther’s store was greatly affected by the coronavirus pandemic and had to completely shut its doors. He scored a major win on Wednesday, May 20, when his store was able to reopen to offer curbside pickup after being fully closed for several weeks.

“My store was one of the few stores in the Wild Birds Unlimited system that was forced to do a 100% workforce stoppage due to mandated closures here in New Jersey,” he said. “I ended up being the only person working the store and I was only able to package online shipping. Since I couldn’t do it all by myself, the leadership team reached out to my suppliers and had them help me fulfill those orders.”

Additionally, Wild Birds Unlimited helped Gunther get Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) assistance. Pickett also negotiated rent directly with Gunther’s landlord.

“After talking with Paul, my landlord held off on requesting rent until I got my PPP, so that was very helpful,” Gunther said.

Like so many business owners, Gunther is staying up-to-date on the news as he waits for the official approval to reopen his store. Wild Birds Unlimited has also helped him in this area.

“The Wild Birds Unlimited home office has helped us franchisees stay up-to-date with what’s going on in our individual markets,” he said. “They’re keeping all of the franchisees in the loop as best as they can.”

Fortunately, Gunther’s loyal customers are eager to see him reopen his doors. Some customers have already taken advantage of curbside sales. The strong support from the Wild Birds Unlimited leadership team has also validated Gunther’s decision to franchise rather than go into business alone.

“I don’t know how some small businesses that are on their own are ever going to come back from this,” he said. “I would not have survived this shutdown without the support of the home office. Just being able to call the leadership team at all hours of the day and night has been hugely beneficial, not just for my store but also for moral support.”

Gunther has also enjoyed exchanging best practices and information with his fellow franchisees.

“I’ve reached out to other store owners who are going through the same thing as me and being able to talk to them has also made a huge difference,” he said. “Wild Birds Unlimited is not just a huge network, we’re also a huge family, and it’s been amazing to work with other franchisees.”

Wild Birds Unlimited is the original and largest franchise system of backyard bird feeding and nature specialty stores with more than 300 locations throughout the United States and Canada. The investment level to open a Wild Birds Unlimited location is $170,382 to $281,606. To learn about franchising opportunities with Wild Birds Unlimited, please visit https://franchise.wbu.com/.