BUFFALO WILD WINGS

Item 7 in the 2026 FDD pegs initial investment at $2,463,945 to $4,900,320, reflecting build-out for sports viewing setups, kitchen gear, and liquor licenses in high-traffic spots. Upfront franchise fee hits $25,000, followed by 5% royalties plus 4% brand fund, with extras like $30-$95 monthly for tech tools—aligning with casual dining norms but stacking up heavy on the total outlay. Item 19 shines here: average gross revenue clocks $3,574,130, median $3,433,937 across mature units, signaling strong top-line potential from beer-and-wings traffic, though operators must factor 30-35% food costs and labor in this high-volume play.

System metrics paint a steady but not explosive picture: 549 franchised units versus 629 corporate (2025), up just 2% from 538 franchised in 2024, with 16 projected adds and only 1 non-renewal but 8 transfers signaling some churn. SBA records show 43 loans averaging $706,944, a healthy volume for the category without red flags on defaults. For deep-pocketed investors eyeing $1.5M+ cash flow upside after expenses, this suits area developers in sports-mad markets—but the hefty capex and corporate dominance demand scrutinizing local saturation before diving in.