If you are an entrepreneur trying to figure out the best franchise ownership opportunity, you’re probably like most prospective franchisees and googling various brands you’re familiar with. If you want to be in a business that combines retail and outdoor interests, there are a few options to consider.

The Strength of the Retail Industry

The retail trade industry is very strong. In 2022, revenue in retail is at $6.9 trillion. While the pandemic may have initially hurt some sectors of the retail industry, those brick-and-mortar brands that introduced or strengthened their ecommerce remained intact and even experienced growth.

Choosing a Franchise

Now the challenge is, what are some franchise brands to consider? If outdoor, sports, or nature heightens your curiosity, you might be thinking of being part of the Cabela’s franchise. Although it’s a well-recognized brand name company, it’s not available.

If you are interested in owning a Cabela’s franchise, you will have to rethink your options. Cabela’s is a retailer of hunting, fishing, and camping supplies; however, it is not a franchise. In fact, this big box retail store catering to outdoor sports enthusiasts merged with Bass Pro Shops back in 2017. Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s for $61.50 per share in cash, totaling about $5 billion. The completion of this transaction merged three sporting brands: Bass Pro Shops (fishing), Cabela’s (hunting), and White River Marine Group (boating). If you have your heart set on owning a franchise within the outdoor/retail space, Wild Birds Unlimited could be your next best investment.

Wild Birds Unlimited is the Better Choice

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast who likes to provide impeccable customer service in retail, consider Wild Birds Unlimited. We are the leading wildlife and retail franchise. Similar to Cabela’s in that we cater to those with outdoor hobbies, but we’ve also developed partnerships with organizations that support our core mission of bringing people and nature together. We’ve collaborated with The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Bird Studies Canada to help with educate people about birds, conservation efforts, and citizen-science projects.

Get Started with Wild Birds Unlimited

As a franchisee with Wild Birds Unlimited, we make ownership an enjoyable experience. That’s why we’ve grown to more than 350 locations with franchise owners becoming a community resource for wild bird enthusiasts. We train every Wild Birds Unlimited franchisee how to help customers create a bird feeding habitat and overall ecosystem right in their own backyards.

As a franchise owner not only are you part of a highly recognized and respected brand, but you benefit from best-in-class training to fully prepare you for ownership. It’s this dedication to your success that has made Wild Birds Unlimited a top brand for overall franchisee satisfaction. But don’t take our word for it, our franchisee testimonials tell the whole story. In 2021, Franchise Business Review ranked us in the top two for franchisee satisfaction in the Retail Category for the eighth year in a row. As a franchise brand, when we see that our partners are satisfied and doing well in business, we know we’ve built a successful model and operating system that will continue to grow.

As a franchise owner with Wild Birds Unlimited, you enjoy a good business opportunity in the growing outdoor wildlife industry. An incredible 81 million people participate in feeding birds and other wildlife and an unbelievable $5 billion is spent annually on birdseed and wildlife food.

Although you can’t purchase a Cabela’s franchise, a better option is Wild Birds Unlimited. We’ve been in business more than 40 years and provide a strong model to our franchise owners. Our training and ongoing support helps position you for success. Be part of a strong franchise showing steady growth, dedication to owners, and high-quality standards for customers. To join our flock, fill out the inquiry form on our website and download our free franchise report.