The Right Fit Is Crucial When Targeting Prospects
Finding the right franchise prospects is a top priority but far from easy.
· Franchising.com· January 11, 2026
Person
Paul Pickett
Paul Pickett is a person in Burnaze's franchise knowledge graph, mentioned since 2015. 193 stories link here, each summarized from the original publisher. * Paul Pickett, as chief development officer of Wild Birds Unlimited, discussed support systems for LGBTQ+ franchisees with 1851 Franchise, highlighting the IFA Pride Council's efforts to increase inclusivity in franchising [[2025-01-02 LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Franchising Support for Franchisors (ea8316)]]. * Pickett shared his story and insights on franchisor mistakes as a top franchise development professional [[2024-10-02 Top Franchise Development Professional Paul Pickett, Wild Birds Unlimited (ecd328)]]. * Wild Birds Unlimited has been expanding, with new locations opening in Columbia, Maryland [[2024-06-21 Newest Wild Birds Unlimited Location Now Open in Columbia, Maryland (4cd894)]] and Macon, Georgia [[2024-06-20 New Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise Opens in Macon, Georgia (af6243)]]. * The 2025 Annual Franchise Development Report revealed crucial brand data, including recruitment budgets and spending, with 59% of franchisors planning to increase spending on franchise development [[2025-02-02 Studying the Numbers The 2025 AFDR reveals crucial brand data (63584e)]]. * Paul Pickett has worked with Wild Birds Unlimited for nearly 32 years, serving as the chief development officer [[2023-03-14 Paul Pickett (7dd35b)]]. * The IFA Pride Council, founded by Pickett, aims to increase inclusivity in franchising by providing resources and education [[2022-12-14 IFA Pride Council Continues to Expand as Diversity Grows in Franchising (05a013)]]. * Wild Birds Unlimited celebrated its first in-person conference since 2019, the Enterprise Leadership Conference, in Q2 of 2022 [[2022-06-29 Wild Birds Unlimited Celebrates First Post-Pandemic In-Person Conference (f49283)]]. * Pickett's work with the International Franchise Association promotes diversity and inclusiveness in the franchising community [[2023-04-19 WBU Reaches New Heights in Franchising (6f399f)]].
Studying the Numbers: The 2025 AFDR reveals crucial brand data
For more than 10 years, Annual Franchise Development Report (AFDR) researchers have surveyed franchisors about their lead generation and recruitment processes to keep franchisors updated on the best practices needed…
· Franchising.com· February 2, 2025
LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Franchising: Support for Franchisors
1851 Franchise spoke with Paul Pickett, chief development officer of Wild Birds Unlimited, about support systems for LGBTQ+ franchisees.
· 1851 Franchise· January 2, 2025
Highlights from the 25th Annual Franchise Leadership & Development Conference (FLDC)
The 2024 Franchise Leadership & Development Conference (FLDC) recently celebrated its 25th anniversary by providing a platform for franchise development professionals to connect, learn, and grow.
· Franchising.com· December 3, 2024
Top Franchise Development Professional: Paul Pickett, Wild Birds Unlimited
Paul Pickett, chief development officer of Wild Birds Unlimited, shares his story and insights on franchisor mistakes.
· 1851 Franchise· October 2, 2024
Newest Wild Birds Unlimited Location Now Open in Columbia, Maryland
Columbia, Md. – Wild Birds Unlimited is excited to announce the opening of its newest franchise store at 6955 Oakland Mills Road in Columbia, Maryland.
· Franchising.com· June 21, 2024
New Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise Opens in Macon, Georgia
Wild Birds Unlimited opens in Macon, Georgia, its newest location.
· Franchising.com· June 20, 2024
2024 AFDR: Uncovering Franchise Development's Strengths and Weaknesses
Franchise Update Media has unveiled its 2024 Annual Franchise Development Report (AFDR) at its Franchise Leadership & Development Conference in Atlanta.
· Franchising.com· February 5, 2024
The IFA celebrates significant contributions to franchising
The International Franchise Association (IFA) awards its highest honors to people who’ve contributed to the growth of franchising and the service to their communities.
· Franchising.com· December 20, 2023
2023 AFDR Highlights, Part 7: Franchisors Exceeding Their Goals
2023 AFDR highlights franchisors exceeding their goals, with 101 participants representing 21,802 franchised units and 2,044 company-owned units.
· Franchising.com· July 4, 2023
2023 AFDR Highlights, Part 6: Brokers
The 2023 Annual Franchise Development Report highlights the recruitment and development practices of 101 franchisors, representing 21,802 franchised units.
· Franchising.com· June 5, 2023
2023 AFDR Highlights, Part 5: Measuring Costs
101 franchisors participated in the 2023 Annual Franchise Development Report, representing 21,802 franchised units and 2,044 company-owned units.
· Franchising.com· May 1, 2023
WBU Reaches New Heights in Franchising
Wild Birds Unlimited plans to add 13 locations in 2023, expanding its presence in the franchise industry.
· Franchising.com· April 19, 2023
2023 AFDR Highlights, Part 4: Portal Leads
The 2023 Annual Franchise Development Report highlighted the recruitment and development practices, budgets, and strategies of 101 franchisors, representing 21,802 franchised units and 2,044 company-owned units.
· Franchising.com· March 30, 2023
Paul Pickett
Paul Pickett has worked with Wild Birds Unlimited, a 300-plus-unit backyard bird-feeding franchise, for nearly 32 years.
· 1851 Franchise· March 14, 2023
2023 AFDR Highlights, Part 3: 2022 Digital Spend-Budget vs. Effectiveness
The 2023 AFDR highlighted trends in franchise development, including digital spend and budget effectiveness.
· Franchising.com· March 6, 2023
2023 AFDR Highlights, Part 2: 2022 Budget Spend vs. Effectiveness
The 2023 Annual Franchise Development Report highlights the recruitment and development practices of 101 franchisors, representing 21,802 franchised units and 2,044 company-owned units.
· Franchising.com· February 6, 2023
2023 Annual Franchise Development Report (AFDR), Part 1: Recruitment Budgets
101 franchisors participated in the 2023 Annual Franchise Development Report, representing 21,802 franchised units and 2,044 company-owned units, to analyze recruitment and development practices.
· Franchising.com· January 2, 2023
IFA Pride Council Continues to Expand as Diversity Grows in Franchising
The Franchising Pride Council , a group dedicated to promoting equity and inclusivity in franchising, has experienced a great deal of traction lately and is now at over two dozen…
· 1851 Franchise· December 14, 2022
Wild Birds Unlimited Celebrates First Post-Pandemic In-Person Conference
Wild Birds Unlimited is celebrating its successful Enterprise Leadership Conference (ELC) in Q2 of 2022 as the brand marked its first in-person conference since 2019.
· Franchising.com· June 29, 2022
2022 AFDR, Part 7: Franchisors Exceeding Goals
Franchisors exceeding goals are highlighted in the 2022 Annual Franchise Development Report, which provides insights into recruitment and development practices, budgets, and strategies.
· Franchising.com· March 14, 2022
2022 AFDR, Part 6: Use of Brokers
49% of brands used brokers in 2022, paying $20,000 commission.
· Franchising.com· March 1, 2022
2022 AFDR, Part 5: Sales Closing Ratios
The 2022 AFDR highlights trends and recognizes excellence in the franchising industry, providing insights into recruitment and development practices, budgets, and strategies.
· Franchising.com· February 15, 2022
2022 AFDR, Part 4: Measuring Costs
Franchisors track costs per lead and sale at lower rates.
· Franchising.com· February 2, 2022