Hobbytown Usa vs Wild Birds Unlimited
Hobbytown Usa vs Wild Birds Unlimited: Hobbytown Usa costs $66K to $252K to open; Wild Birds Unlimited costs $26K to $240K. Hobbytown Usa has 123 units, Wild Birds Unlimited has 137. SBA loan history: Hobbytown Usa = 134 loans (12.7% default); Wild Birds Unlimited = 161 loans (2.5% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Hobbytown Usa vs Wild Birds Unlimited: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Wild Birds Unlimited requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($26K vs $66K for Hobbytown Usa), a 158% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $75K for Hobbytown Usa versus $38K for Wild Birds Unlimited, Wild Birds Unlimited has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 4.75% for Hobbytown Usa and 4% for Wild Birds Unlimited, giving Wild Birds Unlimited the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Wild Birds Unlimited operates 137 units to Hobbytown Usa's 123. Hobbytown Usa has been operating 57 years (founded 1969) versus 45 for Wild Birds Unlimited (founded 1981), a 12-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Wild Birds Unlimited has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 161 7(a) approvals compared with 134 for Hobbytown Usa. Hobbytown Usa's peak SBA year was 2004 (13 loans); Wild Birds Unlimited's peak was 2023 (13 loans). Wild Birds Unlimited's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems have the most SBA funded units in TX. Borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Hobbytown Usa deals is $155K vs $217K for Wild Birds Unlimited, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 12.7% for Hobbytown Usa and 2.5% for Wild Birds Unlimited, Wild Birds Unlimited has the cleaner SBA loss record by 10.2 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 37 (Fair) for Hobbytown Usa and 68 (Strong) for Wild Birds Unlimited, giving Wild Birds Unlimited the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 37/100 | 68/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 134 | 161 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 12.7% | 2.5% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $66K to $252K | $26K to $240K |
Franchise Fee | $75K | $38K |
Royalty Rate | 4.75% | 4% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 2% |
Liquid Capital | $60K | $50K |
Net Worth Required | $150K | $300K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 123 | 137 |
Franchised Units | 123 | 137 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 5 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1969 | 1981 |
Franchising Since | 2023 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 3 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | TYLER, TX | AMARILLO, TX |
Category | Hobby, Toy, | Hobby, Toy, |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Hobbytown Usa or Wild Birds Unlimited?
Lower upfront capital required
Wild Birds Unlimited
Hobbytown Usa: $66K starting · Wild Birds Unlimited: $26K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Wild Birds Unlimited
Hobbytown Usa: 134 SBA loans · Wild Birds Unlimited: 161 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Wild Birds Unlimited
Hobbytown Usa: 12.7% · Wild Birds Unlimited: 2.5%
Larger system & brand presence
Wild Birds Unlimited
Hobbytown Usa: 123 units · Wild Birds Unlimited: 137 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Wild Birds Unlimited
Hobbytown Usa: 4.75% · Wild Birds Unlimited: 4%
More lender financing options
Wild Birds Unlimited
Hobbytown Usa: 72 unique lenders · Wild Birds Unlimited: 74 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
Need Funding for Hobbytown Usa or Wild Birds Unlimited?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Hobbytown Usa vs Wild Birds Unlimited: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Hobbytown Usa and Wild Birds Unlimited is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $26K to $252K.
Hobbytown Usa has 134 SBA loans on record and Wild Birds Unlimited has 161. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Hobbytown Usa vs Wild Birds Unlimited, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Hobbytown Usa or Wild Birds Unlimited?
How much does a Hobbytown Usa franchise cost compared to Wild Birds Unlimited?
Can I finance Hobbytown Usa or Wild Birds Unlimited with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Hobbytown Usa or Wild Birds Unlimited?
Talk to PeerSense
Tell us which brand and your budget. We source capital from lenders who have already funded deals in these systems.
Franchise / SBA 7(a): The desk will reach out. No obligation.
Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman