Buffalo Wings & Rings

Buffalo Wings & Rings

Information based on 2023 FDD

Food & Beverage · Wings

Investment min
$1M
Total: $1M–$2M
Avg gross revenue
$3M
Unit-level, 2023
Franchise fee
$40K
Per current disclosure
Royalty
5%
of gross revenue
Locations
54
Franchising since 2005

Description

What is Buffalo Wings & Rings?

Buffalo Wings & Rings, established in 1984, has evolved into a premier sports restaurant franchise that elevates the classic wings and sports bar concept to new heights. With a focus on providing a family-friendly dining experience, this establishment stands out for its chef-inspired menu featuring premium chicken wings, made-to-order dishes, and an extensive selection of signature sauces ranging from mild to explosive heat levels.

The restaurant's modern, inviting atmosphere creates the perfect setting for both casual family dinners and exciting game-day experiences, complete with strategically placed HDTVs throughout the space. What sets Buffalo Wings & Rings apart is their commitment to quality – serving fresh, never-frozen wings that are carefully prepared to achieve the perfect balance of crispy exterior and juicy interior. Their proprietary bleu cheese dressing, made in-house, has earned a devoted following among customers.

Beyond their famous wings, the menu showcases a diverse selection including gourmet burgers, fresh salads, and specialty sandwiches. The restaurant's signature onion rings and variety of appetizers, including their popular pretzel bites with beer cheese, complement the main offerings perfectly. Their innovative approach to traditional sports restaurant fare is evident in unique sauce combinations like blueberry BBQ and Korean-style wings.

The franchise prides itself on exceptional customer service, maintaining high cleanliness standards, and creating a welcoming environment where families, sports enthusiasts, and casual diners can all feel at home. With convenient options for dine-in, takeout, and catering services, Buffalo Wings & Rings has positioned itself as a versatile dining destination that delivers consistent quality and memorable experiences.
  • 40 years proven restaurant experience
  • Sports bar atmosphere differentiator
  • Mobile app loyalty program
  • Above-average gross revenue performance
  • Established wing flavor variety
  • Drive-thru and delivery capabilities

Location Analysis

Where Buffalo Wings & Rings wins

Buffalo Wings & Rings maintains a strategic presence across multiple states, showing particular strength in the Midwest and select Southern markets. The franchise has a strong concentration in the Ohio and Kentucky regions, suggesting robust brand recognition and operational success in these core markets. Texas represents an emerging territory, while the presence in South Dakota and Nebraska indicates successful expansion into less saturated markets.

The franchise's measured unit growth and selective geographic expansion suggest a strategic approach focused on market sustainability rather than rapid expansion. This approach has likely contributed to maintaining operational quality across diverse markets. The established presence in Ohio and Kentucky provides potential franchisees with proven supply chains and brand awareness, while Texas offers growth opportunities in a larger market with strong sports culture and wing consumption.

Ideal locations for new franchises typically include mid-sized cities with strong suburban populations, proximity to sports venues or entertainment districts, and demographics skewing toward families and young professionals. Markets with limited wing-focused competition and strong disposable income present particularly attractive opportunities. The franchise's success in both metropolitan and smaller markets suggests adaptability to various market sizes, though careful consideration should be given to local competition and demographic patterns when selecting new locations.
Total US locations
62
Franchise units
54
Corporate locations
8
Avg. sq. footage
N/A

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Financial Analysis

The numbers behind Buffalo Wings & Rings

Avg gross revenue$2,709,342
Investment range$1,482,700 – $1,999,700
Investment midpoint$1,741,200
Brand fund2%
Royalty5%
Franchise fee$40,000
Min. net worth
Min. liquid capital
Buffalo Wings & Rings requires a substantial investment of $1.48-$2.0 million, positioning it in the premium tier of franchise opportunities and significantly above the wings sub-sector average of $686K-$1.53M. This higher investment reflects the brand's sports bar concept requiring extensive kitchen equipment, dining infrastructure, and bar facilities. The casual dining segment has faced headwinds from delivery trends and labor challenges, though wings remain a resilient category with strong takeout appeal.

With 40 years of operational history since 1984, the system demonstrates established brand recognition, though its 62-unit footprint suggests limited expansion velocity compared to major wing competitors. The reported gross revenue of $2.71 million substantially exceeds sub-sector averages of $1.66 million, indicating strong unit-level performance potential.

Ideal investors should possess $500K-$750K liquid capital and restaurant management experience, given the operational complexity of full-service dining with alcohol service. The brand's mobile app and loyalty program infrastructure supports modern consumer preferences for digital ordering and rewards.

Key considerations include labor-intensive operations, alcohol licensing requirements, and real estate needs for sports bar atmospheres. Territory protection and multi-unit development opportunities may appeal to experienced restaurant operators seeking established markets. The investment suits operators comfortable with higher capital requirements in exchange for a differentiated sports dining concept. Prospective franchisees should thoroughly review the FDD and conduct comprehensive due diligence on local market dynamics and competitive positioning.
Did you know? Did you know that bringing the game-day excitement of Buffalo Wings & Rings to your community requires a total investment between $1,482,700 and $1,999,700, which covers everything from the $40,000 franchise fee to creating that perfect sports bar atmosphere where wing lovers gather to cheer on their favorite teams?

Financing partners

Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees

Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.

FranFund

Lender

CRF USA

Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.

Lender

First Bank of the Lake

Lender

Pension Pros

Lender

FDD Item 7

Initial investment range

$1M–$2M
Most common
$1,482,700
Minimum
$1,741,200
Midpoint
$1,999,700
Maximum

Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $1,482,700 to $1,999,700. The midpoint $1,741,200 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.

FDD Item 19

Average gross sales

$3M$2M$2M$1M$600KN/A
$2M
$2M
$3M
2021
2022
2023
Avg
$2M
YOY change (2022 -> 2023)
+14%

According to Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, Buffalo Wings & Rings has an average gross revenue of $3M. (Note: This information is based on the latest FDD in our records. Please review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and confirm this information directly with the brand. We make no claims of accuracy for the information presented.)

Growth over time

Franchise footprint

-3% YoY
80644832160
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
62 units open as of 2023 FDD-2 in last 12 mo

2023 Franchise Disclosure

FDD documents

Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for Buffalo Wings & Rings's 2023 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.

Estimated initial investment
FDD Item 7 · PDF
Financial performance representations
FDD Item 19 · PDF
Members-only items
Executive team
FDD Item 2 · PDF
Litigation
FDD Item 3 · PDF
Bankruptcy
FDD Item 4 · PDF
Franchisor assistance
FDD Item 11 · PDF
Members only
Unlock the 2023 FDD

Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.

Buyer FAQs

Frequently asked questions

The initial investment for a Buffalo Wings & Rings franchise typically ranges between $1,482,700.00 and $1,999,700.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.

Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that is publicly available and that we have on record, which was issued in 2023. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. For the most current and detailed information, we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.

Buffalo Wings & Rings
Buffalo Wings & Rings
$3M avg revenue · 54+ US franchises

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