Wings and Rings

<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/topfood/2021?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-magazine-buffalo-wings-rings-named-2021-top-food-franchise-2716464" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">In Entrepreneur Magazine’s</a> annual list of the top food and restaurant franchises, <a href="https://ownabuffalo.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-magazine-buffalo-wings-rings-named-2021-top-food-franchise-2716464" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings</a>, the 80-plus unit international ultimate sports restaurant franchise, claimed the #5 spot in the magazine’s sports bars and pubs category.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/buffalowingsandrings">Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings</a> sets itself apart with a fully rounded guest experience that not only provides customers with the laissez-faire fun of a local sports bar, but also an amplified VIP setting that takes game time to the next level. Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings features bright and inviting dining rooms, a chef-inspired menu with diverse offerings and fresh, never-frozen wings to satiate every sports fan’s palette. With 85 locations across the globe, Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings is constantly innovating the sports restaurant category by bringing refined food experiences that are accessible and affordable to all customers.<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/topfood/2021?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-magazine-buffalo-wings-rings-named-2021-top-food-franchise-2716464" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Read the full list of winners here.</a>

Entrepreneur Magazine: Buffalo Wings & Rings Named 2021 Top Food Franchise

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The Cincinnati-based elevated sports restaurant and bar concept ranks #5 in the publication’s Best of: Sports Bars/Pubs category among competing contenders.

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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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Entrepreneur Magazine: Buffalo Wings & Rings Named 2021 Top Food Franchise

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