Buffalo Wild Wings

Founded in

1982

Started franchising in

1991

Buffalo Wild Wings is a sports bar and casual dining franchise known for its wings, burgers, and wide selection of draft beers, offering a vibrant atmosphere to watch sports and socialize with friends.

Franchise Disclosure Document

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Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise in a snapshot

Number of franchises

533

Investment required

$2,443,000 - $4,830,000

Revenue (AUV)

$3,325,000

Last 3 years unit growth

Initial franchise fee

$25,000

Operating Profit

n.a.

Buffalo Wild Wings: A Pioneer in Sports Bar Dining

Buffalo Wild Wings, a popular casual dining and sports bar franchise, was founded in 1982. It began offering franchise opportunities in 1991 and has since become a leading name in the dining industry, famed for its Buffalo-style chicken wings and diverse range of sauces. The company's headquarters is located in Atlanta, Georgia.

Buffalo Wild Wings is renowned for its lively sports bar ambiance, serving an extensive menu that includes a variety of chicken wings, sandwiches, and other dishes, along with a selection of beverages, including alcoholic drinks. The franchise's sports-centric environment provides guests with an energetic venue to enjoy sports events, paired with a menu that appeals to various palates.

For prospective franchisees, Buffalo Wild Wings offers thorough training for the management team, ensuring the brand's high standards of quality and service are upheld. Franchisees are given a specific location within a designated area, guaranteeing a defined territory for their Buffalo Wild Wings establishment.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure	Amount (New Free-Standing and Non-Traditional Location Sports Bars)	Amount (Non-Free Standing and Conversion of Existing Free-Standing Sports Bars)
Fees related to site approval	$1,200 to $53,800	$1,200 to $53,800
Initial franchise fee	$12,500 to $25,000	$25,000
Reimbursement of expenses and administrative fee for on-site training	$0 to $80,000	$0 to $80,000
Total Site Approval, Franchise and Training Fees	$13,700 to $158,800	$26,200 to $158,800
Architecture fees	$100,000 to $160,000	$90,000 to $135,000
Construction and leasehold improvements	$1,430,000 to $2,100,000	$1,200,000 to $1,800,000
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other fixed assets	$775,000 to $925,000	$570,000 to $850,000
Audio/Visual equipment	$275,000 to $425,000	$275,000 to $425,000
Computer POS system/kitchen display unit	$28,245 to $50,520	$28,245 to $50,520
Office equipment and supplies	$6,000 to $13,000	$6,000 to $13,000
Sports memorabilia	$12,500 to $26,500	$12,500 to $26,500
Signage and graphics	$43,000 to $100,000	$43,000 to $100,000
Total Building/Construction/Equipment	$2,669,745 to $3,800,020	$2,224,754 to $3,400,020
Training expenses	$8,000 to $12,000	$8,000 to $12,000
Initial inventory	$15,000 to $19,000	$15,000 to $19,000
Insurance	$14,400 to $48,000	$14,400 to $48,000
Additional funds – 3 months	$100,000 to $150,000	$100,000 to $150,000
Rent	$7,500 to $40,000	$7,500 to $40,000
Lease and utility security deposits	$10,000 to $20,000	$10,000 to $20,000
Grand opening advertising	$12,500	$12,500
Liquor license	$5,000 to $500,000	$5,000 to $500,000
Professional fees	$20,000 to $70,000	$20,000 to $70,000
Total Pre-Opening / Operating Deposits	$192,400 to $871,500	$192,400 to $871,500
Total Estimated Initial Investment	$2,875,845 to $4,830,320	$2,443,345 to $4,430,320

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Franchise Disclosure Document

Training

Buffalo Wild Wings ensures its franchisees are thoroughly equipped to manage their franchises through a detailed training program.

This comprehensive program is designed to provide the management team, including the Control Person, Unit General Manager, and at least two assistant managers, with the essential skills and knowledge needed for efficient Sports Bar operations. The training is structured into several key segments:

HOH (Heart of House) Operations: This section focuses on back-of-house operations, including 10 hours of classroom training and 40 hours of on-the-job training at a National Certified Training Sports Bar (NCTSB).
FOH (Front of House) Operations: Covering front-of-house activities, this segment includes 10 hours of classroom training and 40 hours of on-the-job training at an NCTSB.
Running a Shift: Critical for ensuring smooth operations during different shifts, this training consists of 30 hours of classroom instruction and 120 hours of on-the-job training at an NCTSB.
Role-Specific Training: Tailored to particular roles within the Sports Bar, this segment offers 10 hours of classroom training and 90 hours of on-the-job training at an NCTSB.

While Buffalo Wild Wings does not charge for the initial training program, franchisees are responsible for their own travel, living expenses, and supply costs for themselves and their employees.

Territory Protection

Franchisees are granted the right to operate a Buffalo Wild Wings Sports Bar at a specific location approved by Buffalo Wild Wings. This location is situated within a "Designated Area" as outlined in the Franchise Agreement.

The Designated Area is intended exclusively for site selection and does not provide any territorial exclusivity or protection to the franchisees. This means that while franchisees have an assigned area for their operations, they do not possess exclusive rights to a broader territory.