The Best Run States in the U.S.

For the fourth year in a row, finance blog 24/7 Wall Street has named North Dakota as the best run state in America. Specifically, North Dakota boasts the fastest economic growth of any state, much of which comes from a high rate of inward migration and abundant natural resources.

Not surprisingly, this incredible growth and stability has made the Peace Garden State an attractive target for franchise brands, though not necessarily for the same reasons as those laid out by 24/7 Wall Street.

One franchise brand with its eye firmly on North Dakota is Buffalo Wings & Rings, a family-focused sports restaurant franchise from Cincinnati, Ohio with locations in North Dakota and at least two new franchises on the horizon.

According to the brand, it is that family component that makes North Dakota such a strong target market for Buffalo Wings & Rings.

“North Dakota has a strong family focus, and that fits in perfectly with our values at Buffalo Wings & Rings,” said chief development officer Philip Schram. “Families in the Dakotas like to go out to the city as a family, they like to watch sports together, and they like to go out to eat together.”

According to Schram, the unforgiving climate of North Dakota also helps create the right kind of franchisee for the Buffalo Wings & Rings system.

“North Dakota is cold, and the people there are hard workers with an entrepreneurial spirit,” said Schram. “It is not a vacation place, and prospective franchisees in the area truly care about hard work and family.”

Finally, the manageable population of North Dakota cities means it can be challenging for brand new restaurant concepts to take hold. Schram says that the support and history of a franchise brand helps “roll out the red carpet” in some of the tougher markets.