When
most people think of hobby stores, they imagine model airplanes and train sets.
But what about the 55.5 million people that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
says venture outdoors to spend their free time feeding birds and watching
wildlife?
Since
1981, Wild Birds Unlimited has focused on catering to the interests and needs
of these nature hobbyists. Wild Birds Unlimited franchisees occupy a
bird-feeding market worth $5.4 billion a year, offering bird-feeding and
wildlife-watching enthusiasts supplies and resources while simultaneously
encouraging nature appreciation and environmental preservation.
Wild
Birds Unlimited is an exclusive source for special bird-feeding products and a
provider of extensive educational programs regarding backyard bird feeding.In addition to supplying the bird-feeding
market, Wild Birds Unlimited stores are resources for unique nature gifts,
decorative lawn and garden accessories and a variety of natural home and
personal care products.
Operating Units
12/31/2006
12/31/2007
12/31/2008
Franchised
302
294
282
% Change
--
-2.6%
-4.1%
Company-Owned
0
0
0
% Change
--
0.0%
0.0%
Total
302
294
282
% Change
--
-2.6%
-4.1%
Franchised as % of
Total
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
Investment
Required
The
fee for a Wild Birds Unlimited franchise is $18,000. The fee for an additional
store is $9,000.
Wild
Birds Unlimited provides the following range of investments required to open
your initial franchise. The range assumes that all items are paid for in cash.
To the extent that you choose to finance any of these expense items, your
front-end investment could be substantially reduced.
Item
Established Low Range
Established High Range
Franchise Fee
$18,000 ($9,000 for an existing franchisee)
$18,000
Training Fee
$2,000 ($0 for an existing franchisee)
$2,000
Training
Expenses
$1,400
$3,400
Lease Deposit
$2,500
$4,500
Rent (1 month)
$2,500
$4,500
Leasehold Improvements
$7,840
$21,359
Insurance (first
quarter)
$100
$504
Legal and Accounting
Expenses
$500
$2,000
Office Equipment
$7,881
$8,160
Signage
$1,187
$7,964
Advertising
$4,960
$6,871
Retail Fixtures
$12,871
$13,521
Initial Inventory
$16,644
$20,580
Gift Card Fee
$148
$850
Miscellaneous Expenses
$3,834
$7,212
Additional Funds
(3 months)
$5,000
$15,000
Total Investment
$87,365 ($76,365 for
an existing franchisee)
$136,421 ($125,421
for an existing franchisee)
On-going Expenses Wild Birds Unlimited franchisees pay a royalty fee equal to 4% of gross sales, a minimum local advertising fee equal to 2% of gross sales, an advertising fund fee equal to 0.5% of gross sales (maximum of $2,500 a year) and an annual fee for point-of-sale software.
What You Get—Training and Support Wild Birds Unlimited offers an 8-day initial training at corporate headquarters in Carmel, IN which covers all aspects of store operation, from retail sales and budgeting to basic information about backyard bird feeding. Before a store’s opening, a customized financial plan is prepared with franchisees, and after opening, support continues through yearly visits from a regional consultant who reviews the franchisee’s operations. Wild Birds Unlimited also provides assistance in selecting a site location and negotiating a lease, and advice and specifications for store layout and design.
Wild Birds Unlimited provides merchandising education, support and evaluation, market research and marketing support through an annual marketing program with complete month-by-month support materials. Store owners also receive ongoing human resources and computer and technical support from Wild Birds Unlimited.
