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Buffalo Wild Wings history
Buffalo Wild Wings company history timeline
Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck was founded in 1982 by Jim Disbrow and Scott Lowery.
With none to be found nearby, Jim and Scott had two choices: road trip to New York, or open a wing joint close to home. It all started 35 years ago with two guys driven by hunger The year was 1982.
In 1991 the company developed a plan to franchise its concept with Francorp, a Chicago-based law firm.
1991: Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck, with seven outlets, starts to franchise concept.
Disbrow himself had been commuting weekly to the Minneapolis region from the company's home base since 1992, as his new wife preferred to live there to raise her two children from a previous marriage.
The company began to franchise in 1992 by working with Francorp, a Chicago-based law firm.
In late 1994, Disbrow hired a part-time chief financial officer, Sally Smith, who was employed at his new father-in-law's business.
Anticipating more growth, in 1995 the company unveiled a prototype free-standing outlet that had 190 seats in a 5,000- to 7,500-square-foot space.
During 1995, the company did $12 million in revenue with a loss of $1.6 million.
Smith was unable to determine the firm's net income/loss prior to 1995.
Smith was promoted to president and CEO in August 1996, while Disbrow became chairman of the board.
In 1998 Buffalo Wild Wings began preparing for an initial public stock offering of 1.5 million shares, but the idea was quickly abandoned due to unfavorable market conditions.
The 100th location opened in October 1999 in Apple Valley, Minnesota, a short drive from its corporate headquarters.
Three venture capital firms and other purchased a majority stake, $8.5 million in shares, available in a December 1999 private placement.
In 2000, the chain, now calling its locations Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, was in 19 states and 140 locations (at year end) with one finally in the city of its signature menu item, Buffalo, New York.
The company tested several new sauces in 2000 but only added two to the menu with its first dessert.
2001: Buffalo Wild Wings-inspired potato chips introduced by Frito-Lay.
System-wide revenue was $150 million in 2001 with same-stores averaged growth of 8 percent per year.
Disbrow died in October 2002, while Smith continued as company executive with Lowery as vice president of franchise construction.
The funding was planned to fund expansion with expectation to have 260 sites by late 2003.
The firm was now planning to ramp up its expansion, with a total of 400 locations anticipated by 2005.
In 2010, the company announced an expansion into Canada.
They broke the billion traditional and boneless wings mark in 2011, and it’s only increased since then.
In August 2014, BW3 had purchased a majority stake in Rusty Taco chain and changed its name to R Taco the next year.
In 2015, Buffalo Wild Wings expanded in the United Arab Emirates when it opened a restaurant in Dubai.
In November 2017, Roark Capital Group and The Wendy's Company, co-owners of Arby's Restaurant Group, announced its plan to purchase the chain for about $2.4 billion plus debt.
On September 5, 2018, Inspire Brands subsidiary R Taco announced it was changing its name back to Rusty Taco.
In 2019, Buffalo Wild Wings announced a multiyear deal with MGM Resorts International and its sports betting venture Roar Digital.
In 2020, Buffalo Wild Wings announced a national partnership the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS).
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Buffalo Wild Wings competitors
| Company name | Founded date | Revenue | Employee size | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panera Bread | 1981 | $2.8B | 140,000 | 3,560 |
| Darden Restaurants | 1968 | $11.4B | 175,000 | 2,986 |
| Wendy's | 1969 | $2.2B | 12,500 | 3,132 |
| Ruby Tuesday | 1972 | $952.0M | 32,100 | 1,575 |
| Applebee's Canada | 1980 | $2.5B | 28,000 | 1,445 |
| Sonic Drive-In | 1953 | $423.6M | 5,000 | 5,094 |
| Pizza Hut | 1958 | $7.5B | 350,000 | 15,099 |
| Noodles & Company | 1995 | $493.3M | 7,001 | 878 |
| Red Lobster | 1968 | $2.6B | 55,000 | 2,230 |
| Subway | 1965 | $16.1B | 5,000 | 739 |
Buffalo Wild Wings history FAQs
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Buffalo Wild Wings may also be known as or be related to BUFFALO WILD WINGS INC, BUFFALO WILD WINGS, INC., Buffalo Wild Wings, Buffalo Wild Wings & Bar, Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck (1982–1998), Buffalo Wild Wings Inc and Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.