Why Choose a Wild Birds
Unlimited Franchise?
The Only Retail Franchise
in Backyard Bird Feeding
Turn your passion for backyard bird-feeding
into a profitable business that’s built to last.
If you’ve ever wondered how to start a hobby
shop rooted in nature and community, this is your
opportunity. We’re ready to help you take flight.
Here’s what makes Wild Birds Unlimited a top hobby store
franchise opportunity for nature lovers:
Business That Brings Joy: You already love the store — now’s
your chance to own one. You’ll make a difference every day by
bringing people and nature closer together.
$12.5 Billion Industry: A recession-resistant franchise that’s been
flying high for 40+ years.
Low Investment: Start-up costs range from $226,601–$378,977,
including a $40,000 franchise fee.
E-Commerce Flexibility: Our locally powered e-commerce
platform, MyWBU Store, lets you grow your business in-store
and online.
Loyal Customers: Birds keep eating, so customers keep returning.
With our Daily Savings Club®, it’s easy to build lasting loyalty.
Explore the Earning Potential
of a WBU Franchise
Our proven business model is based on the sale
of consumable bird food,
which keeps customers
coming back. The result? Solid average sales
and a cash flow across our franchise system.
$0
2024 Average Gross Sales*
(for U.S. stores open full year)
$0
2024 Average Gross Sales*
for the top half of stores
$0
2024 Average Owner’s Discretionary Cash Flow for Stores Open for Full Year**
$0
2024 Average Owner’s Discretionary Cash Flow for Top Half of Stores Open for Full Year**
+ *Canadian and First Year Stores are Excluded
Some outlets have sold this amount. There is no assurance that you’ll do as well. If you rely on these figures, you must accept the risk of not doing as well. Performance reflects unaudited information for stores in operation a full 12 months as of December 31st each year, with the age of included stores ranging from 2 to over 30 years. Canadian stores and first calendar year stores were not included in this analysis. Read More
These stores generally are located in neighborhood or regional strip centers or freestanding buildings. “Gross Sales,” as used above, means the sales price of all merchandise and services sold, including cash and charge sales of every kind made at the store, and mail, internet and telephone orders received or taken at the store. See Item 19 of the Wild Birds Unlimited 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document for more information.
Footnotes to Gross Sales information:
- For all 312 stores operating at least 24 months at 12-31-22, the Average Gross Sales figure was $854,723. Of these 312 stores, 124 (or 39.74%) exceeded the Average Gross Sales figure of $854,723. The 2022 Median Gross Sales for these same 312 stores was $770,351.
- For all 317 stores operating at least 24 months at 12-31-23, the Average Gross Sales figure was $827,579. Of these 317 stores, 127 (or 40.06%) exceeded the Average Gross Sales figure of $827,579. The 2023 Median Gross Sales for these same 317 stores was $747,612.
- For all 320 stores operating at least 24 months at 12-31-24, the Average Gross Sales figure was $858,133. Of these 320 stores, 131 (or 40.94%) exceeded the Average Gross Sales figure of $858,133. The 2024 Median Gross Sales for these same 320 stores was $773,456.
**Canadian and First Year Stores are Excluded
Some outlets have earned this amount. There is no assurance that you’ll do as well. If you rely on these figures, you must accept the risk of not doing as well. Performance reflects unaudited information for stores in operation a full 12 months as of December 31st each year, with the age of included stores ranging from 2 to over 30 years. Canadian and first year stores are not included in this analysis. These stores generally are located in neighborhood or regional strip centers or freestanding buildings. “Owner’s Discretionary Cash Flow” (“ODCF”) is determined with reference to the unaudited profit and loss statements submitted to us by each store included in the chart. To derive the ODCF for each store, we subtracted the Cost of Goods Sold (“COGS”) and Operating Expenses from the Gross Sales for each store, and then added back in the data reported by each franchisee as “owner’s wages”, “amortization/depreciation”, “owner’s life insurance”, “owner’s health insurance”, “owner’s retirement plan”, and “auto expense”. We then averaged the ODCF for all stores during each of 2022, 2023 and 2024.
COGS are the out-of-pocket expenses to acquire merchandise for resale and includes shipping. Operating Expenses include various expenses, including owner’s wages, non-owner’s wages, payroll taxes and employee benefits, marketing, store retailing suppliers, occupancy costs, utilities, computer expense, insurance, maintenance and repair, royalties, supplies and postage, travel and meals/entertainment, auto expense, miscellaneous, merchant fees, depreciation and amortization. Stores not included were stores for which the franchisee’s fiscal year was different than calendar year or for which the franchisee failed to submit reliable financial statements to us. We did not exclude stores due to characteristics such as a specific type of geography, type of location, degree of competition or other similar factors. See Item 19 of the Wild Birds Unlimited 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document for more information.
Footnotes to ODCF information:
- For all 300 stores operating at least 24 months at 12-31-22, that were included in this data set, the ODCF was $134,175. Of these 300 stores, 126 (or 42.00%) exceeded the ODCF figure of $134,175. The 2022 Median ODCF for the same 300 stores was $116,375.
- For all 306 stores operating at least 24 months at 12-31-23, that were included in this data set, the ODCF was $121,206. Of these 306 stores, 122 (or 39.87%) exceeded the ODCF figure of $121,206. The 2023 Median ODCF for the same 306 stores was $96,969.
- For all 311 stores operating at least 24 months at 12-31-24, that were included in this data set, the ODCF was $149,735. Of these 311 stores, 120 (or 38.59%) exceeded the ODCF figure of $149,735. The 2024 Median ODCF for the same 311 stores was $120,518.
You’ll Love Owning Your
Wild Birds Unlimited Store
A Winning Culture
Franchisee satisfaction is
at the heart of WBU.
For eight consecutive years, Franchise Business
Review ranked us as a top franchisee for satisfaction
in the retail category. Our team is committed to
listening, learning, and helping you grow — because
when you thrive, we all succeed.
Make a Living. Make a Difference.
A people-first business makes
ownership fulfilling.
You’ll build lasting relationships, help customers
connect with nature, and share your expert hobby
knowledge with your community. The reward? A
business that feels as good in your heart as it
does in your head.
Flexibility to Fit Your Community
We have a plan,
you make it yours.
We provide trusted vendor relationships and proven
purchasing programs while giving you the flexibility to
source additional local products that reflect your
community and your customers’ interests.
Simple Staffing, Scalable Results
Opportunities to grow
as you go.
Most stores launch with just a few part-time team
members, keeping overhead manageable. As
awareness builds and sales increase, your team
grows right along with your business.
A Mission That Matters
We Bring People & Nature Together...
and we do it with excellence.
WBU supports conservation efforts, promotes
sustainable products, and inspires customers to
protect wildlife through education and
action in their own backyard.
HEAR WHY WBU OWNERS LOVE WHAT THEY DO
Discover the Joy of the
Wild Birds Unlimited Community
When you open a Wild Birds Unlimited, you’re
joining an award-winning retail franchise with a
reputation for excellence.
We’re proud to be
consistently ranked among the top franchises for
women, veterans, and franchisee satisfaction.
Rooted in Purpose, Soaring with Vision
Our Mission
We Bring People & Nature Together...
and we do it with excellence.
Our Vision
We Bring Joy into our Customers’ Lives... by sharing
our
passion for birds and knowledge about the
hobby of
backyard bird feeding.
We will “Save the Song Birds” by inspiring our
customers
and communities into action.
Our Core Values
- We believe in being honest, ethical, and respectful with everyone.
- We embrace diversity in our community.
- We guarantee our products are of the highest quality, are truly effective,
and are an excellent value. - We support sustainably produced products whenever possible.
- We support local and national bird and wildlife habitat conservation
organizations and educational programs.
Discover the Joy of the
Wild Birds Unlimited Community
The world needs more nature lovers like you. Let’s turn your
passion for backyard bird-feeding into a purpose-driven
business together.