Wings and Rings

<div id="pastingspan1">When it&#8217;s game day and you want to share in that experience with your family, where do you go? Traditional sports bars are loud, often crowded, not family friendly and typically serve low-quality food.</div><div id="pastingspan1"> </div><div id="pastingspan1">Enter the Cincinnati-based <a href="http://ownabuffalo.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=better-wings-are-just-the-beginning-3186" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings</a>, which unlike most sports bars, is breaking the mold when it comes to merging elevated family dining with sports and chef-inspired food.</div><div id="pastingspan1"> </div><div id="pastingspan1">Philip Schram, chief development officer at Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings, attributes the brand&#8217;s growth and success to its one-of-a-kind approach to family dining. </div><div id="pastingspan1"> </div><div id="pastingspan1">&#8220;What&#8217;s unique about our concept is that we&#8217;ve combined the sports experience with a higher level of dining,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We intentionally build our dining rooms so that families as well as die-hard fans can enjoy elevated food in a positive sports environment. It&#8217;s been one of the main reasons we&#8217;ve seen continued growth not only in guest counts, but also in new units opening across the country.&#8221; </div><div id="pastingspan1"> </div><div id="pastingspan1">One of the reasons behind this food-first philosophy at Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings is <a href="http://www.buffalowingsandrings.com/our-story/the-chef-behind-the-menu?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=better-wings-are-just-the-beginning-3186" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Research &amp; Development Chef Elliot Jablonsky</a>. A greater Cincinnati chef legend, Jablonsky&#8217;s love of cooking began at the age of 16 when he first started cooking for small Cincinnati restaurant called Mozart&#8217;s. From there, he began cooking in several in Cincinnati&#8217;s best restaurants before opening his first restaurant in 1990 and several more since then including Cactus Pear, Tinks and Vineyard Caf&#233;. </div><div id="pastingspan1"> </div><div id="pastingspan1">Since becoming R&amp;D chef at Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings, Jablonsky has been on a mission to increase menu selection and variety while infusing more contemporary and ethnic ingredients. The benefit to the brand&#8217;s franchise owners is that the dishes typically have high volume and margins because they are so appealing to guests.</div><div id="pastingspan1"> </div><div id="pastingspan1">&#8220;I look at Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings as a place for big fun and big flavor, such as sweet Thai chili sauce and chipotle peppers, for example,&#8221; said Jablonsky. </div><div id="pastingspan1"> </div><div id="pastingspan1">Building on diners&#8217; growing acceptance of foods from around the globe, Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings continues to play with spices, flavors and ingredients from a variety of ethnic cuisines, including Indian. Earlier this year, Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings introduced a first-of-its-kind The Wings of Fury, a limited-time-offer chicken wing tossed in a curry powder dry rub, crisply fried, topped with Sriracha sauce and served with a scallion cream for dipping. </div><div id="pastingspan1"> </div><div id="pastingspan1">Since its inception, Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings has been built upon the unique proposition that families should be treated to fresh &#8211; never frozen &#8211; wings with 11 sauces that range from the traditional to the unconventional. But better wings are just the beginning. The chef-driven menu features a wealth of American classics to satisfy even the most discerning taste buds with flavors that push the envelope along with specialty burgers, gyros and salads. Every Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings location also features a full liquor bar and dozens of craft-beer options that celebrate local and national brewing excellence.</div><div id="pastingspan1"> </div><div id="pastingspan1">The commitment to high quality food has not only benefited consumers taste buds, but also franchise owners in the communities they serve. They Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings system has seen 13 percent average unit growth year-over-year for the past 8 years. Additionally, the brand has seen 17 straight quarters of positive same store sales growth. </div><div id="pastingspan1"> </div><div id="pastingspan1">For more information about <a href="http://buffalowingsandrings.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=better-wings-are-just-the-beginning-3186" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings, click here</a>. </div><div style=" font-style: normal; normal; normal;"></div>

1851 Franchise

Buffalo Wings & Rings drives growth because of dedication to its chef-driven menu

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Better Wings Are Just The Beginning

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Wings and Rings Launches Operating Partner Program to Reward Top Performers and Build Future Franchise Owners

Wings and Rings Serves Up Game Day Deals for the 2026 NCAA Tournament

Wings and Rings Brings Back Sam Adams Beer Cheese for Big Game Flavor and a Free Wings Giveaway

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Wings and Rings Rolls Out New Seasonal Sips, Menu Items and Holiday Gift Card Bonuses 

Wings and Rings Rolls Out New Seasonal Sips, Menu Items and Holiday Gift Card Bonuses for Winter Limited-Time Offer

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Wings and Rings - Fall LTO - 1851 Franchise

Wings and Rings Brings the Heat With Fire-Roasted Serrano Wings, Game-Day Combos and Sweet Seasonal Sips

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Wings and Rings Launches Half-Price Appetizers and Sam Adams Beer Cheese Limited Time Offerings

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Wings and Rings Announces Exciting Holiday Promotions for November and December

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CINCINNATI&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://ownwingsandrings.com/">Wings and Rings</a>, the 85-unit, club-level sports restaurant and bar franchise, has launched its Operating Partner Program (OPP), a strategic initiative designed to reward top-performing general managers with a share of the bottom line while creating a clear pathway toward future franchise ownership.Built to mirror the benefits of ownership without requiring significant upfront capital, the program gives high-performing operators a “sweat equity equivalent,” allowing them to participate directly in the financial success of their restaurants while continuing to grow within the system.“It’s really an opportunity for our best managers to earn a share of the bottom line,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-bafundo-44908a3/">Bob Bafundo</a>, Chief Operating Officer. “In many ways, it mimics the franchisee ownership model. The better the restaurant performs, the more they benefit. It creates true alignment.”The Operating Partner Program is grounded in one of Wings and Rings’ core values: “stand together as family.”With many general managers having more than a decade of tenure, the program reflects a long-standing commitment to recognizing and investing in the people who have helped build the business.“This is essentially a way to reward our best operators with a bigger, better opportunity,” Bafundo said. “It’s about recognizing the people who have been driving this brand forward for years and giving them a chance to grow with us in a more meaningful way.”Beyond individual rewards, the program is designed to strengthen the system as a whole by retaining top talent and creating stability at the general manager level, a key driver of restaurant performance.“Research in this industry consistently shows that stability at the general manager level leads to stability among hourly employees,” Bafundo said. “And that stability ultimately drives guest satisfaction, sales and profitability.”Participants are expected to operate with an owner’s mindset, taking accountability for performance, building strong teams and serving as the face of the brand in their local communities. The program also acts as a stepping stone toward future franchise ownership, giving operators the experience and financial upside to grow within the system.To qualify, candidates must demonstrate at least two years of strong performance as a general manager, consistent operational excellence, a desire to grow with the brand and the ability to make an upfront investment, which varies by restaurant.The Operating Partner Program is currently rolling out internally, with many candidates expected to meet eligibility requirements by the end of the year.As Wings and Rings continues to expand, the OPP reinforces the brand’s commitment to developing talent from within, strengthening its culture and aligning incentives across the system.“This is about investing in our people for the long term,” Bafundo said. “When our operators win, our teams win, and ultimately, our guests do too.”ABOUT WINGS AND RINGSEstablished in 1984 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Wings and Rings is THE club-level sports restaurant and bar with Craveworthy Wings and Rings, My Place Service and a Club-Level Ambiance, all to encourage social connections. Whether it’s enjoying a bit of banter, catching up over the game, finding new craft beer favorites, or celebrating a big win, Wings and Rings is the place where everyone can kick back, enjoy life, and champion everyday moments. With 85 units across the globe, Wings and Rings is changing the sports restaurant category, making elevated food and beverage experiences accessible to all fans. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wingsandrings.com">www.WingsandRings.com</a> and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ownwingsandrings.com">www.OwnWingsandRings.com</a>.

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The Cincinnati-based sports restaurant franchise created the program to give strong operators a larger share in store performance and a path to more ownership-style responsibility.

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CINCINNATI, Ohio —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wingsandrings.com/">Wings and Rings</a>, the 85-unit, club-level sports restaurant and bar franchise, is turning up the heat for college basketball fans during the 2026 NCAA tournament with a limited-time game day deal made for sharing. Kicking off with the first round on March 19 and running throughout the championship on April 6, guests can&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wingsandrings.com/baskets">score a free basket</a> of Saratoga chips, fries or wedges with the purchase of 20 wings on NCAA tournament game days with code BASKETS.The tournament deals don’t stop there. Wings and Rings loyalty members will receive a new freebie loaded into their accounts during every round of the tournament, giving fans even more reasons to stay in the game. Guests can download the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wingsandrings.com/baskets">Wings and Rings app</a> to start earning rewards and unlock exclusive offers.Throughout the tournament, guests can enjoy Wings and Rings’ signature wings paired with bold sauces and flavors, making it easy to build a shareable spread for friends and family. Plus, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wingsandrings.com/deals">Daily Value</a> lineup keeps the deals rolling all week long:&nbsp;<ul><li>Monday &amp; Friday: Kids Eat Free. Start the week with homework after school and end it cheering on the game.</li><li>Tuesday: 40% off wings (traditional or boneless), juicy and packed with bold flavor.</li><li>Wednesday: $8.49 three-piece tender baskets. Hand-breaded, generous servings at unbeatable value.</li><li>Weekday Lunch (11 a.m.–2 p.m.): Generous portions of wings, sandwiches, burgers, and salads that won’t break the bank.</li><li>Happy Hour (Mon–Fri, 3–6 p.m.): Afternoon deals on drinks and bites, ideal for unwinding with friends before tip-off.</li></ul>During the tournament, guests can indulge in Wings and Rings’ Crafted Classics limited-time menu, featuring the return of Sam Adams Beer Cheese across comfort-forward dishes made for game watching. Favorites include Sam’s Beer Cheese Loaded Fries or Chips, the Beer Cheese Chicken Sandwich, and Beer Cheese Jumbo Tenders, perfect for sharing.With wall-to-wall games, shareable eats, and can’t-miss tournament deals, Wings and Rings is the ultimate spot for fans to gather and celebrate every championship moment.To find a Wings and Rings near you, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wingsandrings.com">https://www.wingsandrings.com</a>.&nbsp;ABOUT WINGS AND RINGS&nbsp;Established in 1984 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Wings and Rings is THE club-level sports restaurant and bar with Craveworthy Wings and Rings, My Place Service and a Club-Level Ambiance, all to encourage social connections. Whether it’s enjoying a bit of banter, catching up over the game, finding new craft beer favorites or celebrating a big win, Wings and Rings is the place where everyone can kick back, enjoy life and champion everyday moments. With 85 units across the globe, Wings and Rings is changing the sports restaurant category, making elevated food and beverage experiences accessible to all fans. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wingsandrings.com">www.WingsandRings.com</a> and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ownwingsandrings.com">www.OwnWingsandRings.com</a>.&nbsp;

Score big with a free basket of fries, chips, or wedges when you grab 20 wings on NCAA tournament game days, giving your crew extra fuel for every buzzer-beater.

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Better Wings Are Just The Beginning

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