BUFFALO WILD WINGS
Buffalo Wild Wings franchises sports entertainment-oriented casual/fast casual restaurants called Sports Bars, featuring chicken wings, sandwiches, other food products, and beverages including alcoholic drinks, prepared according to proprietary recipes and served in a distinctive environment with sports viewing. The business model involves granting franchise agreements for single units or area developments, with franchisees operating under the Buffalo Wild Wings System and Trademarks, including options for non-traditional and multi-brand locations. The target market is the general public seeking casual dining, carry-out, delivery, and sports entertainment experiences.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
5% royalty + 3.75-4% ad fund + $45-90/mo fixed fees (contactless payment, learning system, menu support, co-op accounting)
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 527 franchised Buffalo Wild Wings Sports Bars (called the “2024 Franchised Sports Bars") providing AUVs during 2024, including 5 non-traditional locations, and excluding 8 units not open for the full year and 2 units that closed in 2024.
* All average and median revenue figures are directly extracted from the provided tables. The reported overall average gross revenue of $3,567,504 was verified by calculating the weighted average of the quartile averages using their respective unit counts (132 units * $5,098,086 + 131 units * $3,797,180 + 132 units * $3,085,739 + 132 units * $2,290,751) / 527 total units = $3,567,504.01. No profit figures were calculated as the document explicitly states that financial performance representations do not reflect costs of sales, operating expenses, or other costs to obtain net income or profit.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How BUFFALO WILD WINGS Compares to Other Casual Dining Franchises
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 79% of Casual Dining franchises
- #2 largest franchise system in Casual Dining
- One of the lowest SBA loan default rates in Casual Dining
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BUFFALO WILD WINGS Current | $2.5M - $4.9M | $25K | 5.0% | 538 |
| IHOP & INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES | $1.8M - $4.5M | $69K | N/A | 1,703 |
| GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY | $2.1M - $8.5M | $50K | 4.0% | 352 |
| GOLDEN CORRAL | $2.2M - $8.7M | $50K | 4.0% | 348 |
| ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE (THE) | $483K - $1.7M | $60K | 2.0% | 146 |
| TGI FRIDAYS | $2.7M - $4.1M | $50K | 4.0% | 129 |
Casual Dining Average 43 franchises | $1.6M - $3.6M | $44K | 4.6% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 43 Casual Dining franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+24 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for BUFFALO WILD WINGS franchisees (2010 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
Unlock Franchisee Contact Database
538 franchisee contacts on file. Upgrade to see names, locations, phone numbers, and matched SBA loan data.
Upgrade to Pro$199/year · Cancel anytime
Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a BUFFALO WILD WINGS franchise?
The total initial investment to open a BUFFALO WILD WINGS franchise ranges from $2,450,345 to $4,883,320. This includes a franchise fee of $25,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 5.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a BUFFALO WILD WINGS franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a BUFFALO WILD WINGS franchise is $3,567,504. The median revenue is $3,442,790.
How many BUFFALO WILD WINGS franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, BUFFALO WILD WINGS has 538 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1991.
Can you get an SBA loan for a BUFFALO WILD WINGS franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for BUFFALO WILD WINGS franchises. Historical data shows 43 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for BUFFALO WILD WINGS franchisees, with an average loan amount of $706,944. The historical default rate is 0.0%.
Is BUFFALO WILD WINGS a good franchise to buy?
BUFFALO WILD WINGS shows several positive indicators: established brand with 538+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in BUFFALO WILD WINGS?
Talk to a franchise advisor to get personalized guidance and learn if BUFFALO WILD WINGS is the right fit for you.
Talk to an Advisor