Wings and Rings

Fantasy teams are drafted and preseason sleepers are either paying dividends or have been banished to free agent purgatory. That can only mean one thing: Football season is in full swing. Across big cities and small towns, crowds are leaving the comfort of their couches and flocking to TV-adorned restaurants to enjoy sports with friends, families, a basket of spicy chicken wings and a beer&#8212;or three. For franchise owners like Victor Dakessian, who operates a <a href="http://ownabuffalo.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=buffalo-wings-rings-scores-big-during-sports-season-2765" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings</a> location in Crystal Lake, Ill., sports can be the life-blood of the restaurant industry during the fall and winter months, regardless of the event. From July through October of last year&#8212;a peak time for football in the Chicagoland area&#8212;Dakessian&#8217;s Crystal Lake location saw a 77 percent jump in sales. &#8220;There&#8217;s no doubt about it&#8212;we always welcome sport seasons at our restaurant,&#8221; Dakessian said. &#8220;It gets crowds of people in the door without us having to advertise. When there are major events, such as the Chicago Cubs&#8217; wildcard game this year, our business always does better than average.&#8221; With nearly half of all Americans&#8212;more than 155 million&#8212;saying they are fans of the National Football League, restaurants across the country are taking advantage of the fandom. Even before the first footballs begin arcing through the air at professional and college games, savvy restaurant operators have been busy kicking off new flavors, spicy foods and to-go packages in an effort to boost sales and capitalize on America&#8217;s most-watched sport. According to Dakessian, football get-togethers give restaurant operators an opportunity to pair their menu lineups with fans. During the fall, <a href="http://buffalowingsandrings.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=buffalo-wings-rings-scores-big-during-sports-season-2765" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings</a> launches a limited-time menu featuring a variety of game day goodies. Among the specials are Wings of Fury, chicken wings tossed in curry powder and topped with Sriracha, and the Potato-Pile On, five oversized bacon-and-cheese tater tots topped with jalape&#241;o, avocado and chipotle ranch dressing. But the real key to success during sports season is consistency. Dakessian believes in ensuring that even during the off-season, people will still want to come back. &#8220;Things will get hectic during big games and crowds sometimes grow to a level that we can&#8217;t always handle,&#8221; Dakessian said. &#8220;But we learned that it&#8217;s more important to turn people away and sacrifice a few extra bucks in an effort to guarantee that our customers are comfortable, not packed in like sardines and still getting the same attention from our staff.&#8221; One of the ways Dakessian ensures consistent customer satisfaction is by removing a standing room area&#8212;if you don&#8217;t have a table or seat, you can&#8217;t come in. They also schedule extra help on nights they expect larger crowds. &#8220;You can&#8217;t sacrifice the service, experience and food, even when things are super busy,&#8221; Dakessian added. &#8220;We want our one-time customers from sports seasons to become life-long customers. That&#8217;s why my philosophy will always be this: If we can bring them in the door, the food and atmosphere will always speak for itself.&#8221;

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The kickoff of football season across America means a jump in sales for many Buffalo Wings & Rings locations. 

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Buffalo Wings & Rings Scores Big During Sports Season

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

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

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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.

wings-and-rings-serves-up-game-day-deals-for-the-2026-ncaa-tournament

CINCINNATI, Ohio —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wingsandrings.com/">Wings and Rings</a>, the 85-unit, club-level sports restaurant and bar franchise, is shaking up the week with a fresh lineup of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wingsandrings.com/deals">Daily Value offers</a> starting March 2. Leaning further into its reputation for crave-worthy wings and tenders, the brand is doubling down on what matters most: big flavor, big portions and big-time value, whether you’re feeding the family or grabbing your favorites with friends.&nbsp;Here’s what guests can expect from the Wings and Rings’ Daily Value lineup:<ul><li>Monday and Friday: Kids Eat Free kicks off and wraps up the week. Start Monday with homework after school and end Friday toasting the weekend with the game on at your local Wings and Rings.</li><li>Tuesday: 40% off wings! Traditional or boneless, every wing is juicy, tender and loaded with bold, crave-worthy flavor.</li><li>Wednesday: $8.49 three-piece tender baskets. Midweek cravings, meet unbeatable value. Wings and Rings’ three-piece tender baskets feature big, hand-breaded tenders, and offer better prices and bigger servings than most fast-food options.</li><li>Weekday Lunch (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.): Lunch doesn’t have to be small. Enjoy full-size lunch options, from wings, to sandwiches, burgers or salads, all at wallet-friendly prices.</li><li>Happy Hour (Monday–Friday, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.): Your favorite time of day just got better. Unwind with great drinks, food and can’t-miss deals all afternoon.&nbsp;</li></ul>These Daily Value offers are designed to give fans and families more of what they love: bold flavor, hearty portions and meals that satisfy.“We built our Daily Value lineup to give big value to the families and fans that make us who we are,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dansweatt/">Dan Sweatt</a>, Senior Marketing Manager. “We’re confident we have the best wings and tenders you can find. If you haven’t tried us before, now there’s a great reason to give us a shot. If you’re already a fan, this is our way of saying thank you.”Starting March 2, weekdays are about to get a whole lot tastier. To see the full menu or find your local Wings and Rings, visit:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wingsandrings.com">www.wingsandrings.com</a>.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>.

Starting March 2, the sports restaurant franchise will begin offering huge wing savings, Kids Eat Free nights and daily deals that make skipping the kitchen easy.

Wings and Rings Launches All-New Daily Value Lineup Packed with Big Flavors and Big Savings

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

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Buffalo Wings & Rings Scores Big During Sports Season

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