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We extract fees, Item 19 financials, franchisee contacts, SBA default rates, litigation, and outlet data from every FDD — so you can compare brands in minutes, not months. Used by multi-unit operators, consultants, and franchise development teams.

WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED

WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED

Wild Birds Unlimited franchises retail stores that sell bird feeders, bird seed, and nature-related gifts, providing customers with advice, top-quality products, and a pleasant shopping experience to enhance their enjoyment of wild birds and nature. The business model involves operating under the WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED system with standardized products, layout, and decor, targeting backyard bird feeding hobbyists, bird watchers, and purchasers of nature-themed gifts. Stores typically range from 1,200 to 1,700 square feet and compete in a mature market with garden stores and similar retailers.

344locations
$232K–$376K
Since 1983
RetailCarmel, INwww.wbu.comDisclaimer

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Franchise Costs

Franchise Fee
$40,000
Initial Investment
$231,635 – $376,392
Royalty Rate
4.00%
Brand Fund
1.00%
Fixed Monthly Fees
$350 – $350

4% royalty + 1% ad fund + $350/mo technology fee

Financial Performance


Item 19 Financial Performance

Data Based On: Financial performance data is compiled from U.S. Franchisees' monthly sales reports and annual financial statements ('P&L Statements'). The data is with respect to franchised stores, which range in age from 1 to over 45 years of operation and represent a variety of geographic and demographic circumstances.

Extracted Item 19 Section

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How WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED Compares

Key Insights

  • Top 10 largest franchise system in Specialty Retail
FranchiseInvestmentFeeRoyaltyLocations
WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED
Current
$232K – $376K$40K4.0%344
CORNWELL$80K – $324KN/AN/A793
MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS$48K – $263KN/AN/A757
BATTERIES PLUS$285K – $537K$50K5.0%601
PET SUPPLIES PLUS$537K – $2.0M$50K3.0%502
MUSIC-GO-ROUND$346K – $460K$25K5.0%309
Specialty Retail Average
47 franchises
$287K – $705K$39K5.0%

* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 47 Specialty Retail franchises by location count.

Locations & Growth


Outlet Growth Over Time

Total outlets at end of each year

Geographic Distribution (2025)

Outlets by state across the United States

Top States
1TX
29
2NC
23
3OH
18
4WA
16
5CA
16
6SC
15
7PA
15
8GA
15
9MI
14
10VA
14
11IL
12
12NY
12
13FL
12
14IN
11
15TN
10

+29 more states

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SBA Loan History


Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED franchisees (20102025)

Total Loans
91
Average Loan
$296,121
Total Volume
$26.9M
Default Rate
1.1%

Loans by Year

SBA 7(a) loan activity over time

* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.

91 SBA loans on record

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Franchisee Contacts

323 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.

323 Contacts Available

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Due Diligence


Litigation (Item 3)

Franchisee Cases0
No litigation involving franchisees reported

Bankruptcy (Item 4)

Bankruptcy HistoryNo
No bankruptcy history reported

System Health (Item 20)

Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year

Terminations
1
Non-Renewals
0
Reacquired
0
Ceased Ops
0
Transfers
8
Sold to Franchisees
0
Projected New
12

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Frequently Asked Questions

The total initial investment to open a WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED franchise ranges from $231,635 to $376,392. This includes a franchise fee of $40,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 4.0% of gross sales.