Wings and Rings

By now,&nbsp;<a href="http://ownabuffalo.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=buffalo-wings-rings-sets-new-franchisees-off-on-the-right-foot-with-unparalleled-opening-support-11959" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings</a>&nbsp;is no stranger to Texas&mdash;to date, nearly one third of the brand&rsquo;s locations are scattered throughout the Lone Star state. So when Ismael Cantu opened a restaurant in Brownsville, Texas in May 2016, unsurprisingly, he was met by resounding community support the second he unlocked the doors to the public.

Cantu, a former teacher-turned-entrepreneur, was introduced to&nbsp;<a href="https://buffalowingsandrings.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=buffalo-wings-rings-sets-new-franchisees-off-on-the-right-foot-with-unparalleled-opening-support-11959" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings</a>&nbsp;through a friend who operated a location in South Texas. After visiting the location and learning more about the brand, Cantu knew it was the perfect time to join the Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings system and bring the restaurant to Brownsville.

&ldquo;My friend owns successful Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings locations in South Texas, and I always wanted to open up my own franchise,&rdquo; Cantu said. &ldquo;I love Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings atmosphere, the food and how it offers a club-level experience that allows every guest to feel like a VIP. I knew this brand would be a perfect fit in Brownsville.&rdquo;

The Brownsville location joined a consistently growing family of Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings restaurants. The brand kicked off the first quarter of 2017 by opening new units at an impressive rate of on per month. This momentum comes after a successful 2016, where the brand signed an impressive 12 deals in a single year&mdash;one of which was Cantu&rsquo;s. And when his location first opened its doors in late May of 2016, it was quickly met with a warm reception from the local community&mdash;and things haven&rsquo;t slowed down since.

&ldquo;We have grown a fan base thanks to three things: our great food, atmosphere and service,&rdquo; Cantu said. &ldquo;Celebrating the opening with our guests from Brownsville was an exciting step forward for the community, and I strongly believe we&rsquo;ll become their future &lsquo;go-to&rsquo; restaurant to grab a bite with the family or catch the big game.&rdquo;

David and Brian Bourlier, two franchisees who operate two Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings locations in Florida, share a similar story. When they scheduled the grand opening for their first location in Port Charlotte, they had one concern&mdash;what would bring people through the door? Working together with the corporate team, the Bourliers listened to different marketing tactics that would make their grand opening a success. Bouncing ideas back and forth, the Bourliers wanted to ensure the community was involved and receiving some sort of incentive. &nbsp;

That year, the brand was celebrating its 30th anniversary, so Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings decided the first 84 customers would receive free wings for a year. The brand also sent a street team to go out into Port Charlotte to hand out promotional cards that guests could then bring in to the restaurant, where a server would pull a tab to reveal different prizes, including free appetizers, food for a year or even a plasma TV. The Bourliers sought even more community involvement and worked with the corporate office to plan a heated wing-eating competition between different Port Charlotte high schools hosted by a local radio station with a cash prize on the line. The franchisees also organized the Charlotte County Commissioner, Steven R. Deutsch, to come and welcome Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings to the community.

&ldquo;Everything Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings did to help announce the grand opening has really made a difference in our everyday sales and traffic, and it took a lot of work on everyone&rsquo;s part,&rdquo; David Bourlier said. &ldquo;We saw a dramatic increase in sales for weeks after the grand opening and continue to see more and more people becoming regulars.&rdquo;

Both the Bourliers and Cantu credit the brand&rsquo;s hands-on involvement for helping him make the biggest splash possible in his community&rsquo;s dining scene. In fact, Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings recently adjusted their strategy for grand openings&mdash;moving to a soft opening followed by a grand opening two days later. The Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings team made this decision after finding that waiting the typical six weeks after the restaurant opened as confusing those in the community.

&ldquo;We decided to celebrate from the beginning with activities, giveaways and promos, so once we open the doors and people visit us for the first time, they&rsquo;re getting that little something extra,&rdquo; said Christin Rose, Grand Openings Marketing Association for Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings. &ldquo;This creates even bigger buzz about the brand&rsquo;s upcoming opening to their potential consumer base.&rdquo;

This includes providing fun incentives and specials for guests throughout the opening week, including free food for a year for the first 84 guests to come through their doors.

&ldquo;The key is to make the grand opening representative of the restaurant experience and the brand. While our actual grand opening is kept fairly low-key&mdash;basically involving a ribbon cutting&mdash;our goal is to broadcast the second-to-none guest experience that makes Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings stand out. That&rsquo;s why, it&rsquo;s important that we always treat our new customers with something special to thank them for welcoming us into their community,&rdquo; Rose said.

Buffalo Wings & Rings Sets New Franchisees Off on the Right Foot With Unparalleled Opening Support

1851 Franchise

The brand has introduced a handful of tactics to make the biggest splash possible the second a new restaurant’s doors open

This brand page has been paid for by WINGS AND RINGS. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

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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.

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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 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 Sets New Franchisees Off on the Right Foot With Unparalleled Opening Support

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