
Buffalo Wild Wings
Wings, bar food, alcohol- 2023 Franchise 500 Rank
-
#227 Ranked #359 last year
- Initial investment
-
$2.5M - $4.6M
- Units as of 2022
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1,258 1% over 3 years
Are you ready to get wild with your wings? Then Buffalo Wild Wings may be the franchise for you!
Wings, beer, sports—the three things Buffalo Wild Wings is most known for. Founded in 1982 and franchising since 1991, Buffalo Wild Wings has become one of the largest casual dining restaurants in the world. With franchises in the U.S., Canada, India, Mexico, Oman, Panama, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam, they are dedicated to bringing casual dining to everyone. They specialize in wings and specialty sauces.
There are over 500 Buffalo Wild Wings franchises in the U.S., as well as over 50 internationally. Buffalo Wild Wings also boasts over 650 company-owned locations.
As you run your franchise, you may be able to provide quality meals to your neighborhood. The perfect candidate for a Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee is someone who has a passion for good food, bringing people together, and building a business.
Why You May Want to Start a Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
If you love the idea of serving up delicious chicken and a good time, then opening a Buffalo Wild Wings franchise may be for you. As a part of the Inspire Brands family, you'll have to comply with their recipe and service standards. However, creativity may be encouraged when it comes to your décor, customer reward, and promotion plans. There also may be a lot of room for more unique and authentic dishes depending on location as long as the classic Buffalo Wild Wings foods and sauces stay on the menu.
As a Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee, you may join a global network of casual dining restaurants that are all striving to provide affordable food everyone can enjoy. You'll likely provide a place for people and families to come together and enjoy a great meal in a casual and fun environment.
What Might Make a Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise a Good Choice?
To be part of the Buffalo Wild Wings team, you should make sure you’re financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. You should also prepare yourself for ongoing fees that will include advertising, royalty, and potential renewal fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company's set net worth and liquid capital requirements.
Being a leading casual dining restaurant, Buffalo Wild Wings may have both the notoriety and the global market to provide you with an operational business. Their restaurant stores may be well-known throughout the world, and they've earned a good reputation. With their training and global advertising network, your franchise could be going places in no time.
They also strive to have a great work culture, exclusive recipes, and a network of supportive and loyal customers.
How To Open a Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
To start a Buffalo Wild Wings franchise, you should first submit an inquiry form.
Before making any financial commitment or signing an agreement, you must perform your due diligence and establish if this is the right opportunity for you. Speak to existing franchisees and ask questions directed to the Buffalo Wild Wings team. If your net worth and available liquid capital match the brand’s requirements, you may qualify to open a Buffalo Wild Wings franchise, and you can get started with an initial investment and relevant training.
If all goes well, you may soon bring a Buffalo Wild Wings franchise to your community!
Company Overview
About Buffalo Wild Wings
- Industry
- Food
- Related Categories
- Sports Bars/Pubs, Miscellaneous Full-Service Restaurants, Chicken
- Founded
- 1982
- Parent Company
- Inspire Brands
- Leadership
- Lyle Tick, President
- Corporate Address
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3 Glenlake Pkwy. N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30328
Business Overview
- Franchising Since
- 1991 (2023-1991 years)
- # of employees at HQ
- 3,000
- Where seeking
-
This company is offering new franchisees throughout the US.
This company is offering new franchisees worldwide.
- # of Units
- 1,258 (as of 2022)
Information for Franchisees
Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Buffalo Wild Wings franchise.
Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees
Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.
-
Initial Franchise Fee
Information Circle - $25,000
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Initial Investment
Information Circle - $2,481,500 - $4,604,800
-
Net Worth Requirement
Information Circle - $1,500,000
-
Cash Requirement
Information Circle - $750,000
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Royalty Fee
Information Circle - 5%
-
Ad Royalty Fee
Information Circle - 3.25%
-
Term of Agreement
Information Circle - 20 years
- Is franchise term renewable?
- Yes
Financing Options
Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.
- Third Party Financing
- Buffalo Wild Wings has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll
Training & Support Offered
Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.
- On-The-Job Training
- 210 hours
- Classroom Training
- 40 hours
- Ongoing Support
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NewsletterMeetings & ConventionsToll-Free LineGrand OpeningOnline SupportSecurity & Safety ProceduresField OperationsSite SelectionProprietary Software
- Marketing Support
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Co-op AdvertisingAd TemplatesNational MediaRegional AdvertisingSocial MediaSEOWebsite DevelopmentEmail MarketingLoyalty Program/App
Operations
Additional details about running this franchise.
- Is absentee ownership allowed?
- No
-
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
Information Circle - No
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Can this franchise be run part time?
Information Circle - No
- # of employees required to run
- 40-60
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Are exclusive territories available?
Information Circle - No
Interested in ownership opportunities like Buffalo Wild Wings? Request a free consultation with a Franchise Advisor now.
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where Buffalo Wild Wings landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Additional Rankings
Curious to know where Buffalo Wild Wings ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.
Ranked #227 in 2023
Entrepreneur’s 44th annual Franchise 500® ranking shines a light on the unique challenges and changes that have shaped the franchise industry over the last year—and how franchisors have adapted and evolved to meet them.
Ranked #64 in 2023
If you're interested in an opportunity with international appeal, start your search with our ranking of the top franchises seeking to expand outside the U.S.
Ranked #3 in Sports Bars/Pubs in 2022
Our annual list of the top restaurant and other food franchises, divided up by category, is the perfect place to start if you’re craving a food-based business opportunity.
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