Buffalo Wings & Rings Leverages Friendly Family Atmosphere To Drive Growth

Taking the kids out to a restaurant can be, well, a challenge. Any parent knows picking the right place can be the difference between a fun night out with the family or a cautionary tale of meltdowns and screaming that leaves everyone, including other diners, angry and exhausted.

According to the National Restaurant Association, 6 out of 10 diners take into account a restaurant’s family or child friendliness when choosing where to dine. But earning family loyalty goes beyond the kids’ menu. Traditionally, sports-themed restaurants cater to the game day crowd focused on beer specials and low quality food options. Buffalo Wings & Rings has broken that mold.

“Buffalo Wings & Rings is a departure from the typical sports bar because of our chef-inspired recipes, bright and inviting dining rooms, and dedication to providing a family-friendly atmosphere through our club-level experience,” said Philip Schram, chief development officer at Buffalo Wings & Rings. “Our focus on families is cross-departmental, it’s cross-functional. We intentionally design our restaurants to provide a positive sports environment that caters to families as well as the local team’s most die hard fans.”

Since its inception, Buffalo Wings & Rings has been built upon the unique proposition that it’s more than a chicken wing restaurant. Families are treated to fresh – never frozen – wings with 11 sauces that range from the traditional to the unconventional. But better wings are just the beginning. The 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 & Rings location also features a full liquor bar and dozens of craft-beer options that celebrate local and national brewing excellence.

Additionally, Buffalo Wings & Rings restaurants have been specifically designed with the family in mind. Sound levels on televisions and background music are kept at a certain level to encourage families to sit, talk and share in the experience of dining out together. The décor is tailored to both the sports enthusiast and family alike. Tile flooring runs throughout the restaurant so mothers and fathers don’t have to worry about cleaning up when little ones make a mess. And instead of positioning games near an exit or in a back corner, Buffalo Wings & Rings puts its games right in the dining room so parents can keep an eye on older kids from the comfort of their table.  

What does this family-friendly focus mean for franchise owners across the Buffalo Wings & Rings system? By building their restaurants around the simplicity of the fast casual model with the engagement and revenue of casual dining, Buffalo Wings & Rings has averaged a 13% increase in annual unit volume for eight years while securing 16 consecutive quarters of positive same store sales growth.

Schram attributes the restaurant system’s success due to its disciplined approach to growth, excellent franchisees and relentless focus on operations.

“Our regular increase in unit volume is a good indicator of future performance,” added Schram. “While the brand continues accelerate its openings and franchisee signings every year, we will never sacrifice our guiding principals of sustainable growth and operational excellence with the best possible franchisees.”

With 2016 around the corner, Buffalo Wings & Rings intends to continue its charge forward and plans to add more than 50 restaurants over the next five years. As part of this growth, the brand is looking to add franchisees across the Midwest, Texas and Florida.

Click here for more information about franchising with Buffalo Wings & Rings.