In an interview with Franchise Business Review, Wild Birds Unlimited franchisee Kathy Haigh shares her journey to franchise ownership with the leading franchise brand known for connecting people with nature. Haigh first opened her Wild Birds Unlimited store alongside her husband John in October of 2001. During this conversation, she shares what she’s learned about business ownership over the past 19 years, what her day to day looks like and how she works together with the Wild Birds Unlimited team to continue finding success.

As a part of 1851 Franchise’s webinar series highlighting conversations with entrepreneurs and business leaders, chief development officer Paul Pickett joined publisher Nick Powills for a discussion highlighting how the brand is navigating COVID-19 both on the consumer and franchise development sides of the business. Pickett and Powills also discuss Wild Birds Unlimited’s ability to bring people joy through its backyard bird feeding products, and how this helps franchisees steer their business in a positive way.

After winning the Crystal Compass Award for outstanding leadership in the franchise industry at this year’s International Franchise Association Convention, which is given out by the IFA’s Women’s Franchise Committee, Wild Birds Unlimited’s chief development officer Paul Pickett sat down for the group’s podcast, “Her Success: The Story of Female Franchise Leaders.” On the podcast, Pickett discusses his background, how he first discovered Wild Birds Unlimited and how he’s been able to overcome challenges in business to successfully drive development for the brand.

This year, Wild Birds Unlimited received a franchisee satisfaction index score of 80, putting them among the best in the franchising industry. This score also secured the brand’s spot on Franchise Business Review’s list of the Top 200 Franchises for 2020. Wild Birds Unlimited earned this ranking after Franchise Business Review collected feedback from 249 active franchisees in the brand’s system surrounding its core values, franchisee community, corporate leadership and more.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wild Birds Unlimited’s chief development officer Paul Pickett sat down with the 1851 Franchise team to discuss how temporary closures and working from home changed the Wild Birds Unlimited business, both for the franchisor and for franchisees. Throughout the conversation, Pickett offers insights on overcoming challenges for franchise owners, support being offered and the potential long-term impact of the pandemic on businesses moving forward.

As a part of 1851 Franchise’s 2020 Franchise Growth Mastermind Conference, chief development officer Paul Pickett participated in a panel of franchise industry experts for a conversation about how to get development efforts back on track in the current economic climate. During this webinar, Pickett elaborates on how to thoughtfully tell Wild Birds Unlimited’s story during the COVID-19 pandemic, how to enhance communication efforts and what candidate conversations will look like moving forward.