Our Story
A Bird Store Takes Off
In 1981, Jim Carpenter combined his retail experience with his avid enjoyment of nature and backyard birdfeeding to open the first Wild Birds Unlimited store in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Though this retail concept had never been attempted in a serious way, Jim soon discovered a great demand for a store where people could purchase high-quality items to attract backyard birds and were eager to talk about their hobby or their latest bird sighting.
With several people intrigued by the idea of owning a shop like Wild Birds Unlimited, Jim decided to franchise the concept. Two years later, the first franchised location opened, launching a business that today, has more than 275 stores throughout the United States and Canada.
Who We Are
The Nature of Our Business
Our owners are passionate people; they’re passionate about the hobby of backyard birdfeeding and their businesses. They love nature, they love wild birds and they love sharing their enthusiasm about both with their customers.
Wild Birds Unlimited owners are their local communities’ backyard birdfeeding specialists and a premiere source for nature information, as well as quality products. But who we are goes far beyond the items we sell.
It’s our owners’ commitment to their customers that distinguishes them from other retailers, a fact that makes us very proud. They enjoy helping their customers understand birds and nature, swapping stories about the latest bird sightings and seeing other people share their excitement.
What We Believe
Mission/Vision/Values
Our mission is to bring people and nature together and do it with excellence. Our vision and goal is to provide products, services and inspiring shopping experiences that enhance our customers’ lives by educating them and their communities about the value of birds, nature and their surrounding environment.
“When I think of what one man and one woman started 30 years ago—through hard work, sweat, sleepless nights, painful decisions, exhilarating successes, fairness and honesty—and the unselfishness in their dealing with all the entrepreneurs who decided to travel down the path to “bringing people and nature together”, I am so glad I made the decision to join them! They have been the best business partners.”
Thank you.
Michael Zuiker
WBU Owner Arlington, Virginia
Why Wild Birds Unlimited?
One of the benefits of franchising is that you are in business for yourself, but not by yourself and at Wild Birds Unlimited we support our franchise store owners at every step of the process, providing you with everything a growing business needs.
Joe Perez – WBU Owner Birmingham, AL
Support Before the Store Opens
Most of our franchisees have never opened a retail business before, therefore, we work with you to make opening your Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop as seemless as possible. Our pre-opening support covers the following areas:
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Marketing Tools and Ongoing Support
Once you are open for business, the team members of our Franchise Support Center continue to work with and support you by making sure you have access to and guidance in following our proven business system. Below are just some of the areas where you can look to us for help:
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WBU Achievements
Over the past two decades, Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc has received awards and recognitions from many magazines and organizations. Some of these recognitions include:
Entrepreneur Magazine
- Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc. ranked in the “Annual Franchise 500” from 1987 – 2012
- “First in Category” 2005 – 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012
Franchise Business Review
“Franchise 50 Franchisee Satisfaction Award”
- 2012 – Ranked 10th in Large Class Franchise 50
- Ranked 1st in Specialty Retail Category
- 2011 – Ranked 11th in Large Class Franchise 50
- Ranked Honorable Mention in Specialty Retail Category
AllBusiness AllStar Award
- 2009- 2012“best of the best” on their list of 300 franchise companies
