Complete investment analysis based on official FDD data
Total Investment
$226,601 – $378,977
Franchise Fee
$40,000
Royalty Rate
4.0%
The total initial investment to open a Wild Birds Unlimited franchise ranges from $226,601 to $378,977, as disclosed in their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the one-time franchise fee of $40,000.
Midpoint estimate: $302,789
$40,000
One-time initial fee
The Wild Birds Unlimited franchise fee is a one-time upfront payment made to the franchisor when you sign the franchise agreement. This fee grants you the right to operate under the Wild Birds Unlimited brand and is included in the total initial investment range above.
Royalty Fee
4.0%
of gross revenue
Ad/Marketing Fund
1.0%
of gross revenue
Total Ongoing Fee Burden: 5.0% of gross revenue
Combined royalty and advertising fund contributions before any other fees.
Category
Retail
Franchise Score
out of 100
Wild Birds Unlimited operates specialty retail stores dedicated to wild bird feeding, bird watching, and nature-related products. The franchise provides customers with high-quality bird seed, feeders, bird houses, and expert advice on attracting and caring for wild birds.
Median Revenue
$570,687
per year, per location
Mean Revenue
$551,835
per year, per location
Estimated Owner Profit
$74,760
per year
Profit Margin
13.1%
of revenue
Estimation method: benchmark
Estimated ROI (Simple Payback): 4.1 years
Based on midpoint investment of $302,789 and estimated annual owner profit of $74,760.
Avg. Annual Closure Rate
1.4%
Low risk — below industry average
Net Unit Growth
-331 units
From 2022 to 2025
| Year | Start | Opened | Closed | Transfers | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 331 | +9 | -7 | — | 333 |
| 2023 | 333 | +8 | -1 | — | 340 |
| 2024 | 340 | +7 | -6 | — | 340 |
| 2025 | — | +12 | — | — | — |
Based on the FDD data, here is a data-driven snapshot of the Wild Birds Unlimited franchise opportunity:
Overall Score
73/100
Strong opportunity
Est. Payback Period
4.1 yrs
Average payback
Risk Level
Low
1.4% annual closure rate
Wild Birds Unlimited scores well across our evaluation criteria, indicating a strong franchise system. With median unit revenue of $570,687 and a combined fee burden of 5.0% of gross revenue, prospective franchisees should model their own financial projections carefully. For a complete analysis including risk factors, deal-breaker flags, and detailed financial modeling, see the full report.
Get the full Wild Birds Unlimited franchise intelligence report with risk analysis, deal-breaker alerts, and detailed financial projections.
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