Key Numbers
345
Total units open
4 net new franchised units
Units opened last year
Item 20, Table 1: 340 at start of 2025, 344 at end
5 franchised terminations, 1 non-renewal
Units closed last year
Item 20, Table 3
4 units
Net unit growth
Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise
Retail FDD 2026 Founded 1983 · 43+ yrs Item 19 disclosed
Data extracted from Wild Birds Unlimited's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, filed under FTC Rule 16 CFR 436. How we analyze FDDs →
Initial investment
$190K - $376K
Franchise fee
$40K
Median unit revenue
$781k
System size
344 (+4)
The Verdict
Quick Verdict · who it fits
Wild Birds Unlimited fits first-time franchise buyers looking for a mid-scale retail concept.
✓ Strengths
- ✓Discloses Item 19 financial performance
- ✓344 units — strong system scale
- ✓No disclosed Item 3 litigation
Key FDD Facts
The numbers a buyer needs first — straight from the filing.
Initial investment (Item 7)
$190K - $376K
Franchise fee (Item 5)
$40K
Royalty (Item 6)
4% + 1% ad
Item 19 median rev
$781k franchised units open and operational for at least 24 months
System size (Item 20)
344 +4
Agreement term
10 yrs
Years in business
43+ yrs
Company-owned units
1
Item 3 litigation
None disclosed
Model Wild Birds Unlimited's costs in the investment calculator → Prefilled from this filing — startup cost, cash flow and break-even.
Buyer qualifications
✓Exclusive territory✓Semi-absentee eligible✓No bankruptcy disclosed✓No Item 3 litigation
Data extracted from the 2026 FDD filed with state regulators. Fees and terms may have changed since filing — request the current FDD from the franchisor before deciding. Not legal, financial, or investment advice. Full disclaimer.
What you'd pay the franchisor
Drag to your projected annual sales. Royalty 4% + ad fund 1% on gross sales.
PROJECTED ANNUAL SALES$780,000
$100k$2M
Royalty (4%)
—
Ad fund (1%)
—
Total / year
—
▪ Of-sales fees only · excludes rent, labor, COGS, and one-time costs · for illustration
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What's inside
Franchise Overview
Costs & Fees Breakdown
Your Obligations
Franchisor Obligations
Financial Statements
Contracts Summary
Unit Economics
Network Health
Litigation Risk
Earnings Analysis
Financial Fit Analysis
Buyer Verdict
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Research, not legal advice. Use this report alongside professional legal and financial review before signing any franchise agreement.
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Competitive intelligence for franchisors →Executive Summary
Free AI summary — the first read on the filing.
AI Due Diligence Findings PREMIUM
What our analysis flagged across the 2026 filing.
4
Risks to review
4
Strengths identified
3
Questions to ask
Industry Benchmarks
How Wild Birds Unlimited ranks against 118 Retail peers we've analyzed.
Initial investment
52nd pct · of 118 peers
Franchise fee
56th pct · of 118 peers
System size
87th pct · of 118 peers
Retail industry averages
Avg investment
$247K - $707K
Avg franchise fee
$37K
Avg system size
238
Franchises analyzed
118
How Wild Birds Unlimited stacks up
Closest concepts by category and investment.
| Brand | Item 19 | Fee | Investment | Royalty | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Birds Unlimited | Disclosed | $40K | $190K - $376K | 4% | 344 |
| Matco Tools Similar price | None | $10K | $104K - $376K | — | 1,741 |
| 7-Eleven Biggest system | Disclosed | — | $163K - $1.7M | 45–56% | 7,229 |
| Byrider Franchising Partners Top-rated in category | Disclosed | $60K | $947K - $1.6M | 1–2.5% | 81 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a Wild Birds Unlimited franchise cost?
Wild Birds Unlimited requires a $40,000 initial franchise fee and a total initial investment range of $190,135–$376,392, per the most recent FDD on file.
Who owns Wild Birds Unlimited?
Wild Birds Unlimited franchises are sold by WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED INC, the franchisor entity of record on its Franchise Disclosure Document. Item 1 of the FDD discloses the corporate structure, including any parent companies and predecessors.
Does Wild Birds Unlimited disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
Yes. Wild Birds Unlimited discloses Item 19 financial performance representations with reported revenue around $780,955. See the financials sub-page for the full distribution.
What ongoing fees does Wild Birds Unlimited charge?
Franchisees pay a royalty of 4% and an advertising fund contribution of 1% of monthly Gross Sales on gross sales as defined in Item 6 of the FDD.
How many Wild Birds Unlimited locations are there?
As of their 2026 FDD, Wild Birds Unlimited has 344 total locations, with 4 new locations opened in the most recent reporting year. This information comes from Item 20 of the FDD.
Does Wild Birds Unlimited grant exclusive territory?
Yes. Wild Birds Unlimited grants franchisees an exclusive territory under Item 12 of the FDD. Note that exclusive territories often carve out online sales, alternative distribution channels, and non-traditional venues — review the full Item 12 language before signing.
What are the renewal and exit terms?
Per the FDD, Wild Birds Unlimited discloses an initial agreement term of 10 years, a renewal fee of $0, a transfer fee of $25,000. Review Items 10 and 17 for the full renewal and termination provisions.
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