If you are looking for information on the Wild Birds Unlimited franchise business opportunity, Wild Birds Unlimited franchises or Wild Birds Unlimited franchising, then you have come to the right place.
"Discover a refuge in your own backyard.™"
Bluebirds aren't really blue... they just look like they are.
Most bird colorations are due to pigments deposited in their feathers. A Northern Cardinal is red because of the red pigment called carotenoids. Crows are black because their feathers contain a dark pigment called melanin.
In contrast, Bluebirds do not have a single molecule of blue pigment in any of their feathers. So where does that brilliant blue color come from?
The answer is that the color is not produced by a pigment, but by the structure of the feather. The top transparent layer of each Bluebird feather is filled with miniscule pockets of air. When sunlight strikes these pockets, all of the other visible wavelengths of light are absorbed. Only blue escapes and it is scattered in all directions. This same scattering process, created by atmospheric dust particles, is also what makes the sky appear blue.
Wild Birds Unlimited is the first and largest franchise system of retail stores catering to the backyard bird feeding hobbyist. We opened our first store in 1981 and we now have more than 300 stores throughout North America.
Our franchisees are completely dedicated to our mission:
When you visit our stores, expect to find the finest in bird and nature attracting products and advice, and an unmatched pleasant shopping experience.
The Mission of Wild Birds Unlimited:
"We bring people and nature together
and we do it with excellence."
The difference between what we offer and what other retailers offer goes far beyond what we sell. It's who we are. Wild Birds Unlimited stores function as a true community resource: we provide valuable knowledge about the birdfeeding hobby and deliver a unique and pleasant shopping experience. We bring people and nature together by creating an environment that allows you to build on your strengths as well as tap into ours. We provide the training, tools and systems that allow you to achieve your dream of owning and operating your own business.
If you dream of combining your backyard bird feeding hobby and a business
If you love the adventure of retail
If you love spending your days with nice people
If you are entrepreneurial
If you are willing to work hard
If you are energetic, friendly and outgoing
Then the Wild Birds Unlimited franchise opportunity might be a fit for you.
The information presented may have changed since first published. We recommend that you always verify fees, investment amounts and offers with the business opportunity directly prior to making a decision to invest.
1. What training and ongoing support do you provide?
You want to know what happens after you pay the initial fee. A strong franchisor provides comprehensive pre-opening training, site-selection help, operational playbooks, and continuous assistance with marketing, technology, and supply chains.
2. What is the total initial investment, and did actual startup costs match the estimates in Item 7 of the FDD?
The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) lists estimated startup costs in Item 7, but real-world expenses can run higher. Asking how closely current owners tracked to these estimates reveals if you need extra working capital or if hidden fees exist.
3. How do royalties and local/national marketing fees impact profitability?
You need to understand ongoing financial obligations-such as monthly royalty percentages and ad fund contributions-and evaluate whether the brand value and support justify cutting into your profit margins.
4. What are the common challenges new franchisees face, and how do you help them overcome them?
Transparent franchisors will openly discuss real hurdles like local competition, tight labor markets, or supply chain bottlenecks, and show you the exact playbook or field support they offer to solve them as well as allowing you to speak with other franchisees.
5. How many franchise locations have closed or left the system in the past few years, and why?
High turnover, store closures, or quiet franchise exits are major red flags. This question measures system stability, territory health, and whether the corporate team addresses struggling owners or lets them fail.
Retail and Store Franchises