Wings and Rings

In an expansion effort targeting Midwest metropolitans, sports-theme casual-dining brand <a href="http://ownabuffalo.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=buffalo-wings-rings-races-into-indy-947" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings</a> is looking to aggressively expand along the I-74 and I-65 corridors to in-fill its development with new locations between Cincinnati and Chicago, with a particular focus on Indianapolis.

In an effort to close the gap between Cincinnati and Chicago, the Cincinnati-based brand is looking to open restaurants all around the 300-mile stretch between the two markets. Expansion in Indianapolis, where there are currently no locations within the city limits, also provides the opportunity to fill in more white space between corporate headquarters and the suburbs of Greater Chicago, where Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings currently has three locations. Of the brand's five locations in Indiana, none sit on the road between the state capital and Chicago.

&#8220;Movement into Indianapolis is a top priority, and we hope to become the go-to restaurant for a family-friendly environment and high-quality food while catching the game,&#8221; said Philip Schram, executive vice president of franchise development at Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings LLC. &#8220;We&#8217;ve seen great success in the Midwest and hope to build on this momentum moving forward.&#8221;

Interstate 65, which stretches from Mobile, Alabama, to the southeast side of Chicago, is the major highway leading from Indianapolis to the Windy City. Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings is targeting the area in Northwest Indiana, a sports hotspot where fans of Notre Dame and both Indianapolis and Chicago sports teams all live and cheer for their teams. The brand is currently seeking operating partners and franchisees in Gary, South Bend, Elkhart, Merrillville and Hammond for expansion.

Indianapolis, a mere two hours away from Cincinnati, has similar target demographics for Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings, which caters not only to sports fans but also to families and large groups of co-workers and sports teammates. The market also contains prime real estate for restaurant build-outs and is home to fans of the Indiana University Hoosiers, Butler University Bulldogs, Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers &#8212; a huge plus for a sports-theme franchise.

As the chain fills in undeveloped territories between its established markets and moves westward, it helps support markets in between by gaining supply chain efficiencies and picking up marketing strength. Of the brand's 45 restaurants in 12 states, 11 are located in central and southwest Ohio.

The brand began this growth period three years ago and has also added Iowa and Nebraska as expansion territories for the future.

&#8220;As we gradually expand across the Midwest, building out key markets like Indianapolis and Chicago are crucial for setting ourselves up for future success,&#8221; Schram said. &#8220;This area, filled with millions of families and growth opportunities, provides the perfect platform to elevate our&nbsp; brand into 2015.&#8221;

1851 Franchise

Sports-themed casual-dining brand Buffalo Wings & Rings is looking to aggressively expand along the I-74 and I-65 corridors to in-fill its development with new locations between Cincinnati and Chicago, with a particular focus on Indianapolis.

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Buffalo Wings & Rings races into Indy 

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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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Buffalo Wings & Rings races into Indy

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