Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$2,450,345 - $4,883,320
Franchise Fee
$1,250
Min Cash Required
$100,000
Total US Locations
1,183
Business Summary
Buffalo Wild Wings Sports Bar is a sports entertainment-oriented, casual or fast casual restaurant that offers a wide variety of chicken wings, sandwiches, and other food and beverages, including alcoholic drinks. The concept also includes Buffalo Wild Wings GO (BWW-GO) restaurants that primarily focus on off-premises consumption.
Corporate History
Buffalo Wild Wings International, Inc. was initially incorporated in Ohio on May 21, 1990, under the name bw-3 Franchise Systems, Inc. The company changed its name to Buffalo Wild Wings International, Inc. on March 26, 2001. Its parent company, Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, developed the restaurant concept in 1982. The company began offering franchises in the United States in April 1991, initially under the names 'bw-3' and 'Buffalo Wild Wings and Weck,' before converting its franchise network to the BUFFALO WILD WINGS® brand in 1997. Since December 2020, Buffalo Wild Wings has also offered franchises for BWW-GO Restaurants, which primarily cater to off-premises consumption. Buffalo Wild Wings is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., and part of the larger Inspire Brands, Inc., a global multi-brand restaurant company formed in February 2018.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$2,450,345 - $4,883,320
Franchise Fee (Low)
$1,250
Franchise Fee (High)
$25,000
Minimum Cash Required
$100,000
Royalty %
5%
Marketing %
3.75%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$873,245
Equipment Costs (High)
$1,400,520
Working Capital
$125,000
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Buffalo Wild Wings' parent company and its subsidiaries had an unqualified audit opinion on their consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2024. The company reported a net income of $129,047,000 for 2024. As of December 29, 2024, approximately $4,215,600,000 was outstanding under the parent company's term loan facility, which is guaranteed by Buffalo Wild Wings and its subsidiaries and secured by substantially all of their assets.
Financing Details
Buffalo Wild Wings does not offer direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. It also does not guarantee any franchisee notes, leases, or other obligations.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
1,183
Franchised Units
538
Corporate Units
645
Avg Square Footage
5,000
Franchising Since
1991
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
Yes
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
3
Litigation Summary
Buffalo Wild Wings and its parent company, Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., are involved in several litigation cases. One pending class action lawsuit, filed in March 2023, alleges deceptive advertising regarding the marketing of 'boneless wings' that are made of chicken but are not actual wings, seeking unspecified damages and injunctive relief. Additionally, Buffalo Wild Wings has concluded two other class action lawsuits: one from November 2021 regarding deceptive delivery fees, which settled for $47,500 in March 2022, and another from July 2022 concerning undisclosed service fees for takeout orders, which settled for $115,000 in November 2023. Separately, some of Buffalo Wild Wings' affiliates have resolved actions related to 'no-poaching' clauses in franchise agreements and a cyberattack, but Buffalo Wild Wings states these actions do not impact its brand or allege unlawful conduct by Buffalo Wild Wings itself.
Bankruptcy History
Buffalo Wild Wings has no bankruptcy history to report.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
20 years
Renewal Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew, Buffalo Wild Wings franchisees must provide written notice of their decision to renew at least 6 months but not more than 12 months before the current agreement ends. They must sign the then-current form of franchise agreement, which may have different terms and fees, and ensure their Sports Bar complies with all modernization and upgrade requirements to reflect current brand standards. Franchisees must be in good standing, having satisfied all obligations on a timely basis, and for leased locations, provide proof of their ability to maintain possession throughout the renewal term. They must also comply with current training requirements, pay a $20,000 renewal fee, and execute a general release of claims.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Buffalo Wild Wings provides extensive support to its franchisees. Before opening, the company assists with site selection criteria, general building and design requirements, and provides a copy of its operational manuals. Franchisees receive guidance on construction, decoration, and development, along with initial training programs and a list of approved suppliers for opening inventory. After opening, ongoing assistance includes maintaining an advertising fund, approving advertising materials, providing updates to approved supplier lists, and conducting periodic visits for consultation and guidance. Buffalo Wild Wings also offers refresher training courses, which may include multimedia formats like e-learning. Franchisees and their Control Persons are required to attend annual franchise conferences and other meetings related to new products, operational procedures, and sales promotion.
Initial Training Hours
264
Training Location
National Certified Training Sports Bar (NCTSB) operated by affiliates, located in various cities across the country.
Ongoing Support
After opening, Buffalo Wild Wings franchisees receive ongoing support including management of the advertising fund, approval of advertising and promotional materials, and regular updates to approved supplier and product lists. The company conducts periodic visits to Sports Bars to offer consultation and guidance, and provides refresher training courses that may utilize multimedia formats such as e-learning, videos, or simulations. Franchisees, their Control Persons, and other Sports Bar personnel are required to attend annual franchise conferences and various meetings covering new products, operational procedures, training, restaurant management, and sales promotion.
Franchise Requirements
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
Yes
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Retail
Owner Participation
Hands-On
Territory Type
Limited
Territory Size Requirements
Buffalo Wild Wings' Designated Areas are typically defined based on demographics, the character of the location, nearby businesses and residences, population density, traffic generators, driving times, and major topographical features like rivers or freeways. While there is no minimum size for Designated Areas, a Buffalo Wild Wings Sports Bar ranging from 3,500 to 7,000 square feet generally targets a trade area with a population base, or anticipated population growth, of approximately 30,000 to 40,000 people. Development Territories under an Area Development Agreement are similarly defined, also with no stated minimum size. However, the company reserves the right to develop or franchise Non-Traditional Locations and Limited Seating Facilities within these areas, which may affect competition.
Staffing Notes
Buffalo Wild Wings requires that the franchisee, or their Control Person, personally participate in the direct operation and management of the Sports Bar on a full-time basis. Each Sports Bar must have a Control Person and a Unit General Manager who meet company standards and qualifications and complete all required training. Additionally, at least two assistant managers are required at all times. For franchisees operating their fourth or subsequent Buffalo Wild Wings Sports Bar, a separate Multi-Unit Operations Manager (who is not a Unit General Manager) is required to oversee management and operations and must also complete specific training. Each Sports Bar is required to maintain a minimum number of Certified Trainers (CTs) for both heart-of-house and front-of-house positions, varying based on the Sports Bar's sales volume, with these CTs needing to be in place within 90 days of opening. Franchisees are solely responsible for hiring, disciplining, and discharging their employees, as well as setting wages and employment terms.