Wild Birds Unlimited specializes in bringing people and nature together through the hobby of backyard bird feeding, nature products and local expert advice. Each of their more than 350 stores are strategically located within their communities, serving as a true neighborhood resource. WBU franchise owners provide expert knowledge about the bird feeding hobby and to help customers transform their yards into a bird feeding habitat that not only brings song, color, and energy to their lives, but also one that benefits the visiting wild birds and the overall ecosystem.
With one of the largest hobbyist demands at your fingertips and billions spent annually on your product, how do you build strategies that ensure franchisees maximize their marketing while at the same time building a foundation for growth? Wild Birds Unlimited has mastered that formula over the past 30 years. In this episode, Paul Pickett, Chief Development Officer of Wild Birds Unlimited, shares his secrets to retail franchise success.
Chief Development Officer
Wild Birds Unlimited
Paul’s career with Wild Birds Unlimited has perfectly combined his love of birds, nature and people. Paul joined the WBU team as the first full time employee in 1989 shortly after graduating with his Master’s Degree in Biology/Ornithology from the University of North Dakota. He has over 30 years of experience in working with potential franchisees as they join the WBU team and manages all of the real estate and legal responsibilities for the WBU system.
Paul sits on the Advisory Board for the Franchise Update Leadership and Development Conference and chaired the event in 2018. Paul is a frequent speaker at franchising conferences, sits on both the IFA’s Franchise Relations Committee and Franchisor Forum and is the co-chair of the newly formed IFA Pride Counsel. In February 2020, Paul received the honor being granted the IFA Woman’s Franchise Committee Crystal Compass Award.
