---
title: "Franchising.com: Stories From the COVID-19 Frontlines with Paul Pickett, CDO of Wild Birds Unlimited"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/7098c894-0589-4c4e-ac82-c15156a96c5c
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/franchisingcom-stories-from-the-covid-19-frontlines-with-paul-pickett-cdo-of-wild-birds-unlimited-2713315
category: "Retail"
industry: "Retail"
published: 2020-06-18T19:14:05.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T01:39:55.413Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/97e17ac0d83d392b480c439222e95cf37373.jpg
---

# Franchising.com: Stories From the COVID-19 Frontlines with Paul Pickett, CDO of Wild Birds Unlimited

**TL;DR:** Paul Pickett, CDO of Wild Birds Unlimited, discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the brand's franchise system and development program. Wild Birds Unlimited is not signing new agreements due to the pandemic, but plans to focus on transfers for future growth.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2020-06-18. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/franchisingcom-stories-from-the-covid-19-frontlines-with-paul-pickett-cdo-of-wild-birds-unlimited-2713315).*

## Story

Paul Pickett, CDO of Wild Birds Unlimited , answered some questions for Franchising.com in an article highlighting first-hand experiences from businesses on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis. Pickett discusses how the global pandemic has impacted the brand’s overall franchise system and development program for 2020.

“We are not signing any new agreements right now,” Pickett told the publication. “We just need to know how this is going to play out, and how WBU stores will recover before we bring in a new franchisee and ask them to make this sort of commitment.”

Pickett also expressed Wild Birds Unlimited’s plans for future retention and growth through August. “We expect to see more focus on transfers than new stores, so we are reviewing and editing our documentation and assistance to both buyers and sellers on that front,” he said.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- franchise development (topic)
- Retail (sector)
- covid-19 impact (topic)
- Wild Birds Unlimited (company)
- Paul Pickett (person)
- retention and growth (topic)

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Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/franchisingcom-stories-from-the-covid-19-frontlines-with-paul-pickett-cdo-of-wild-birds-unlimited-2713315). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/7098c894-0589-4c4e-ac82-c15156a96c5c).