1851

Many people decide to get into franchising in order to take control of their lives and their future. This was true for Brandon and Trisha Lohman. As a former sales rep. and teacher, Brandon and Trisha were ready for a change after years of Brandon being away from his family on business. When they found <a href="https://franchise.wbu.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wild-birds-unlimited-franchisees-brandon-and-trisha-lohman-are-franchisee-rock-stars-2707486" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wild Birds Unlimited</a>, it seemed almost too good to be true.

The family found the franchise when they were shopping to stock up their own bird feeders. Ready to move on from his corporate job, Brandon thought &ldquo;I could do this!&rdquo;

&ldquo;In October we reached out to the franchise support center and started the process,&rdquo; shared Trisha. &ldquo;After talking with franchisees, we learned the owners in Chesapeake, VA were retiring. By March, we had the information and by the following October we purchased our first store.&rdquo;

Less than two years later, the couple purchased another existing Wild Birds Unlimited store in Virginia Beach, VA and they are planning to open their third location in Suffolk, VA in late 2018.

Chief Development Officer Paul Pickett quickly took notice of the rock star couple. &ldquo;The Lohman&rsquo;s are excellent examples of self-starters who have the ability to grow their business with a strong personal-professional balance. They have made a huge impact on their local community, conducting regular events, putting on presentations about the joy of the hobby of bird feeding and delivering our brand promise in an exemplary fashion.&rdquo;

Due to their almost immediate success, Pickett nominated the couple for <a href="https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/2018-rockstar-franchisees/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wild-birds-unlimited-franchisees-brandon-and-trisha-lohman-are-franchisee-rock-stars-2707486" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Franchise Business Review&rsquo;s 2018 Rock Star Owners</a> list. After reviewing and researching more than 300 franchise brands for high performing franchisees, FBR put out a list of the top 50 franchisees who truly stood out.

The couple made the list due to their commitment to the Wild Birds Unlimited brand, their motivation to grow their presence in their markets and their focus on delivering the best customer experience to the communities they serve.

&ldquo;The goal all along was to own more than one Wild Birds Unlimited stores, but we thought within 5 years,&rdquo; shared Trisha. &ldquo;The opportunities presented themselves faster than originally planned and you just don&rsquo;t turn down opportunities like the ones that kept coming to us.&rdquo;

The <a href="https://wildbirdsunlimited.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=wild-birds-unlimited-franchisees-brandon-and-trisha-lohman-are-franchisee-rock-stars-2707486" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wild Birds Unlimited</a> franchise support center team aided in the couple&rsquo;s success by offering a robust training program that helped shape their future with the company. Pickett shared &ldquo;The Lohman&rsquo;s chose to join the most intense form of consulting with WBU. They have willingly joined our omnichannel beta test group, have empowered and developed their staff to new heights and truly embody the WBU definition of delivering joy and an exceptional customer experience to their customer base.&rdquo;

For the Lohman&rsquo;s, the success came naturally. The couple is passionate about nature and having the opportunity to join a community focused on embracing nature was an easy fit.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;re just so passionate about what we do. We throw ourselves into our events and everything we do because we want more people to be introduced to the hobby,&rdquo; shared Trisha. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s just a great franchise to be a member of, we really do love it.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Wild Birds Unlimited Franchisees Brandon and Trisha Lohman are Franchisee Rock Stars

1851 Franchise

The couple leveraged support from the corporate team in order to open two stores in two years, with plans for a third

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

wild-birds-unlimited-franchisees-brandon-and-trisha-lohman-are-franchisee-rock-stars

Mosquito Squad Plus

How This Marine Corps Veteran Found Freedom and Purpose With Mosquito Squad

how-this-marine-corps-veteran-found-freedom-and-purpose-with-mosquito-squad

Spadea Lignana Franchise Attorneys

How The DeFelice Brothers Turned a $10,000 Loan Into an Award-Winning Franchise With Help From Spadea Lignana

how-the-defelice-brothers-turned-a-10000-loan-into-an-award-winning-franchise-with-help-from-spadea-lignana

Caring Transitions

How This Gilbert Entrepreneur Found Purpose Helping Families Through Life’s Transitions

how-this-gilbert-entrepreneur-found-purpose-helping-families-through-lifes-transitions

USA Ninja Challenge

Where Passion Meets Purpose: USA Ninja Challenge Gives Franchisees the Power to Change Lives

where-passion-meets-purpose-usa-ninja-challenge-gives-franchisees-the-power-to-change-lives

SweatHouz

From Finance to Wellness: Natalie Siewers’ Path to Leading SweatHouz in Northern Virginia

sweathouz-franchise-northern-virginia-natalie-siewers

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 Development Website Builder

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

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Subway Franchisees Resist Expensive Remodel Directives

subway-franchisees-resist-expensive-remodel-directives

Friendly’s Parent Company Acquired by Multi-Unit Franchisee as More Owners Take the Lead in Brand Acquisitions 

friendlys-parent-company-acquired-by-multi-unit-franchisee-as-more-owners-take-the-lead-in-brand-acquisitions

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

Wild Birds Unlimited Franchisees Brandon and Trisha Lohman are Franchisee Rock Stars

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS