Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar (also commonly referred to as B-Dubs) is a sports bar and restaurant franchise in the United States that is best-known for its buffalo wings.
Buffalo Wild Wings was founded in 1982 after James Disbrow and Scott Lowery moved from Buffalo, New York, to Kent, Ohio. Unable to find authentic Buffalo-style chicken wings in their new town, they decided to open up their own restaurant first, in Columbus, Ohio, and then one in Westerville, Ohio one year later. Originally called Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck, from which the abbreviation BW3 was created, the restaurant became a franchise with more than 430 locations across 37 U.S. states. The company later changed its name to Buffalo Wild Wings but still uses the short name BW3 on occasion due to the common usage by patrons.
Each restaurant features multiple large screen televisions viewable from all seats. All locations also feature NTN Buzztime.
Buffalo Wild Wings is best-known for its buffalo wings and its 14 signature sauces. In late February 2006 they eliminated two sauces, Smokey Southwestern and Thai, and added Honey BBQ, Parmesan Garlic, Asian Zing and Mango Habanero. The restaurants also feature a full menu of salads, appetizers, burgers, and specialty drinks.
The "Blazin' Challenge" is offered at some locations to patrons who can finish 12 of the hottest wings offered (wings with Blazin' sauce) in less than 6 minutes. The rules are no drinking water or touching the face. Customers who complete the challenge receive a t-shirt.
In early 2007 Buffalo Wild Wings changed some menu items. An "Appetizer Sampler" platter that features mozzarella sticks, onion rings, ultimate nachos, and boneless wings was added, as were roasted mushrooms and blackened chicken salads, among others. The burgers went from 1/3-pound to a half-pound, and a complimentary order of ranch, blue cheese, southwest ranch or celery is included with an order of wings. In July 2007 Buffalo Wild Wings introduced 3 new menu items Cheeseburger Dippers, Pulled Pork Sandwich (This sandwich use to be on the menu and was pulled. It is a returnee without the weck bun), and Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie. Additionally, Buffalo Wild Wings has wireless internet in majority of their locations.
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar (also commonly referred to as B-Dubs) is a sports bar and restaurant franchise in the United States that is best-known for its buffalo wings.
2007
BEST WINGS
Cityview Magazine (Des Moines, IA) - annual readers' poll
2006
BEST WINGS
Encore Magazine (Wilmington, NC)-annual readers poll
The News and Advance (Lynchburg, VA)-readers' choice
Minnesota Monthly (Minnesota)-readers' choice
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Chattanooga, TN)-readers' choice
NUVO Newsweekly (Indianapolis, IN)-readers' choice
Omaha Magazine (Omaha, NE)-Best Of
The Roanoker (Roanoke, VA)-readers' choice
BEST FOOD
Hattiesburg American (Hattiesburg, MS)-Taste of Hattiesburg
BEST BRAND FIT (Ribs at Buffalo Wild Wings
QSR Magazine-Best of 2006 edition
BEST SPORTS BAR
Encore Magazine (Wilmington, NC)-annual readers poll
NUVO Newsweekly (Indianapolis, IN)-readers' choice
Local media company (Webster, TX (Houston))-online survey
RESTAURANT SHOWDOWN
Spartan Shield (Davenport, IA)-BWW vs. Old Chicago
COLDEST BEER
Today Newspaper (Cedar Hill, TX)-Best Of
TOP 10 WORLD CUP SOCCER WATCH SITE
GQ Magazine (Ridgeland, MS)
BEST WINGS OF 2005
St. Cloud Times
BEST SINGLE COMMERCIAL
MUFSO EAT and EAR Award for "Free Stick" Naked Tenders radio commerical
2006 TOP 100 MOVERS & SHAKERS - #6
Fast Casual Magazine
2005
BEST SPORTS BAR
AOL CityGuide City's Best - Cincinnati
Greensburg Tribune Review
Dayton Daily News - People's Choice Award
BEST WINGS
FSView (Tallahassee)
Lafayette Journal and Courier - annual readers poll
The Fayetteville Observer - 2005 reader's choice
The Post Crescent - Best of the Valley 2005 reader's choice
HOTTEST PLACE
Midtown, TX - Midtown Newspaper
ADCRITIC
Top 20 new TV spots - Naked Tenders #6
MUFSO
Best Single Commercial - Sales over $500 million - "Cry"
Best Single Commercial - Sales over $500 million - "Whisper"
RESTAURANTS & INSTITUTIONS
Top 400 Chains - #64
Executive of the Year - Sally Smith
2004
BEST SPORTS BAR
Columbus Monthly - Best Of
TOP BUFFALO WINGS
5280 Magazine - Denver, Editor's Choice
BEST PLACE TO WATCH SPORTS
Best of UK Contest
BEST SINGLE TELEVISION COMMERCIAL "Furnace"
MUFSO
BEST PLACE TO WATCH A GAME
St. Cloud Times - voted on by readers
BEST PLACE FOR WINGS
St. Cloud Times - voted on by readers
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
Platinum - The Roanoker
BEST WINGS
University Daily Kansan - KU student newspaper
2003
BEST WINGS
FSView (Tallahassee)
Top of the Hill (Lawrence, KS)
The Gazette (Medina, OH)
The Post Crescent (Appleton, WI)
RAC AWARDS (Retail Advertising Conference)
Gold, Other Retailers Category, Caribbean Jerk - Innovative Print
BEST SPORTS BAR
Top of the Hill (Lawrence, KS)
The Gazette (Medina, OH)
TECHNOMIC
#7, Top 100 Fastest Growing Chain
BEST HOT WINGS
Jackson Sun Reader's Choice
BEST PLACE TO MEET PEOPLE
The Gazette (Medina, OH)
CRYSTAL CLARION
The Association for Women in Communications Twin Cities Chapter - Wild Wing Review
EAT & EAR AWARDS
Best Single Commercial for company with annual system-wide sales $100 to $500 Million (20th Anniversary Spot)
QSR PACKAGING
Honorable Mention - 20th Anniversary Packaging
BUSINESS JOURNAL
Growth 50 Private Companies
THE SHOW
Bronze award for Watch Out TV and Wingmaster game
GOLDEN CHAIN AWARD
Sally Smith
QSR 50
#17, Top 25 Chains by AUV Growth
#6, Top 25 Chains by Unit Growth
#5, Top 50 Chains by Change In System-wide Sales
#45, Top 50 Chains by System-wide Sales
#3, Top 10 Fast-Casual Chains by System-wide Sales
SCOVIES
1st Place - Caribbean Jerk Sauce
1st Place - Wingmaster Web Game
1st Place - Style Guide
1st Place - After Work Poster
2nd Place - Wing Tuesdays Poster
3rd Place - 20th Anniversary Boats
3rd Place - Blazin'® Sauce
2002
BEST WINGS
Winner, "Best Wings in Appleton"; Honorable Mention, "Best New Restaurant in Appleton - Appleton, WI
Winner, "Best Wings" - Scene's Best of Cleveland
Winner, Michigan's "Best Buffalo Wings" - Detroit News
"Best chicken Wings": Buffalo Wild Wings Perkins Township - Sandusky People's Choice Awards
"Best Wings" - Las Vegas Weekly
BEST SPORTS BAR
Las Vegas Review-Journal Best of Las Vegas
BRANDWEEK
Winner, Kathy Alberga, "Marketers of the Next Generation"
THE BUSINESS JOURNAL
Winner, Kathy Alberga, Class of 2002 Forty Under Forty
#6, Top Metro Area restaurant companies ranked by revenue
FRANCHISE 500
Ranked #1, Category: Food/Quick Service Specialty: Chicken Wings
CENTER FOR INNOVATION
Winner, Sally Smith, North Dakota Business Innovator of the Year Award
CINCINNATI POST
Winner, People's Choice Award: "Best Entrée"
MUSFO EAT & EAR
Winner, Best Single Television Spot for Companies with sales between $100 million and $500 million
QSR 50
#3, Top 50 Chains by Change in System-wide Sales
#4, Top 20 Chains with fewer than 300 Units, by System-wide Sales
#45, Top 50 Chains by System-wide Sales
QSR PACKAGING
Honorable Mention, Packaging (50-Wing Bucket, Wing Boats and Beverage Cups)
SCOVIES
Grand Prize, Marketing
1st Place, Specialty Chili Sauce
1st Place, Jerk Seasoning Sauce
3rd Place, Caribbean-Style Sauce
1st & 3rd Place, Full Product Brochure/Ad
1st & 2nd Place, Point-of-Sale
2nd & 3rd Place, Product Packaging
TASTE OF CINCINNATI
People's Choice Award, "Best Entrée"
TECHNOMIC
#8, "100 Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chains"
UNIVERSITY OF BUFFALO
Best of Buffalo: "Best Sports Bar"
SCOVIES
1st Place, Full Product/Website
2nd Place, Full Product/Brochure (20 Years Promo Kit)
1st, 2nd & 3rd Place, Full Product, Point of Sale Material
3-3rd Places, Cook-it-Up Meat Required, Sauces and Seasoning
2001
ENTREPRENEUR
#151, Franchise 500
"Good, Better, Best" - Top Chicken Wing Chain
ERNST & YOUNG
Entrepreneur of the Year (MN & Dakotas Region)
TECHNOMIC
Top 10 Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chains
2000
AWC CLARION
Vanguard Award
ENTREPRENEUR
#249, Franchise 500
FRANCHISE TIMES
#191, Top 200 Franchises
MIND TO MENU
Menu Visionary Award, Fast-Casual Category
MUFSO
Best Radio Spot
RAC (Retail Advertising Council)
1st Place, Point-of-Purchase, Spicy Garlic Sauce
1st Place, Point-of-Purchase, Wild Sauce
RESTAURANTS & INSTITUTIONS
#172, Franchise 400
1999
FRANCHISE TIMES
#188, Top 200 Franchises
SCOVIES
1st Place, Point-of-Purchase
2nd Place, Point-of-Purchase
3rd Place, Point of Purchase
1998
MUFSO
Best TV Spot
Q. What is Buffalo Wild Wings?
A. Buffalo Wild Wings is an established and growing owner, operator and franchisor of Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar restaurants featuring a variety of made-to-order menu items. The cornerstone of our brand is our Buffalo, New York-style chicken wings spun in one of our signature sauces.
Q. When did Buffalo Wild Wings become a public company?
A. Buffalo Wild Wings became a public company on November 20th, 2003.
Q. Does Buffalo Wild Wings franchise?
A. Yes! Approximately 67% of Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants are franchised. Due to the strength of our brand, unit growth opportunities in attractive undeveloped markets and the relative simplicity of our restaurant operations, we believe we are attractive to experienced and well-capitalized area developers.
Q. Can I buy stock of Buffalo Wild Wings directly?
A. No, Buffalo Wild Wings stock is not sold directly through the Company.
Q. On which exchange is Buffalo Wild Wings traded and what is the ticker symbol?
A. Our stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “BWLD.”
Q. Does Buffalo Wild Wings pay a cash dividend?
A. No, Buffalo Wild Wings does not pay a cash dividend at this time.
Q. Who is the Buffalo Wild Wings transfer agent?
A. Our transfer agent is the Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Q. Where can I request the latest financial reports and news releases?
A. You can find financial reports and news releases in the Investor Relations section of this website.