From General Manager to Franchisee: Jennifer Houssian Takes Over 3 Wild Birds Unlimited Stores with Partner Richard Dunn

When it comes to franchise brand validation, no one has the scoop quite like an employee.

After seven years of working for three Wild Birds Unlimited stores, with three of those years spent as a general manager, Jennifer Houssian took the plunge and franchised with the bird feeding brand earlier this year.

**She was first motivated to purchase the stores in late 2018 when she learned that her bosses, the franchisees for the three stores she worked for, were getting ready to retire. Not only that, but they gave her the option to purchase their stores before posting them for sale. Houssian couldn’t bear the thought of possibly missing the opportunity to own the stores that she loved so much.

So, together with her significant other of 12 years, Richard Dunn, Houssian purchased the brand’s stores in Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Langley this past summer. All three stores are located in Canada’s British Columbia province. She and Dunn will run the stores together.

Houssian and Dunn originally thought they’d only purchase the Chilliwack franchise, however, the previous owners were willing to give them a good deal on the Abbotsford location. Then, when the sale of the Langley store to a different party fell through, they decided to make a run to buy all three Wild Birds Unlimited stores that Houssian was managing. After they “crunched some numbers,” Dunn said, he and Houssian decided to downsize their lifestyle and move into a smaller home to make the purchase of all three locations happen. Clearly, it was meant to be.

Also instrumental in their decision was Houssian’s love for Wild Birds Unlimited customers.

“Everybody is happy to walk into these stores,” she said. “It’s their happy place where they get their enjoyment. I’ve built a lot of one-on-one relationships with customers. I just couldn’t let any of that go.”

As for Dunn, he realized how much Houssian loved the business and decided it was something he wanted to do, too. Prior to franchising with Wild Birds Unlimited, Dunn worked in the pipe valve and fitting industry with oil refineries.

“It was pretty high-pressure, with everyone wanting everything yesterday,” he said. “Then I would visit Jenn at the Wild Birds Unlimited store and everyone would be happy and stress-free. It was way better.”

Houssian and Dunn are franchising with Wild Birds Unlimited at an opportune time. The brand currently has more than 340 locations across the United States and Canada with plenty of room left to grow. Much of its growth comes from existing franchisees **who, buoyed by the strong support provided by the leadership team, have become multi-unit owners.

Approximately 28% of the brand’s franchisees are multi-unit owners. This high level of support, which includes assistance with finding real estate, technical help and operational support, has led to some of the highest** franchisee satisfaction **rates in the franchising industry.

Although they were highly familiar with Wild Birds Unlimited, Houssian and Dunn still attended the brand’s “Meet the Flock” Day. They were comforted to learn about the resources they would have access to as franchisees, such as the Franchise Support Center, which is staffed with a team of 40 Wild Birds Unlimited professionals who are ready to answer franchisee queries.

Of course, Houssian also came to the table with a vast wealth of experience that has helped her in her new role.

“I already did a lot of the work for the previous owners as far as staffing and merchandising, for example, so I had that experience already,” she said. “I was also the main face of the Langley store, so I was already very used to having high interaction levels with customers.”

Once they are more settled into their roles, Houssian and Dunn plan to get more involved in their community and join local business organizations. Houssian already participates in community efforts, including fundraising with local organizations such as the Critter Care Wildlife Society and Elizabeth’s Wildlife Center, and given talks at garden centers and flower clubs.

“I would like to give more talks and do home shows, as well as get involved with local parks and donate bird boxes and feeders,” she said.

Houssian and Dunn are thrilled they decided to franchise with Wild Birds Unlimited.

“I was pretty nervous when we pulled up to the Franchise Support Center for ‘Meet the Flock’ Day,” Dunn said. “Within five seconds of walking through the door, though, I felt at home. The Wild Birds Unlimited leadership team makes you feel totally at ease. When we left we felt confident that this was something we could do. Now we’re full tilt into it.”