Wings and Rings

It&rsquo;s hard to believe, but February will mark 13 years since my business partners and I decided to purchase an existing Cincinnati-based sports restaurant concept called Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings. We all had a shared vision for what the sports restaurant experience of the future needed to look like to appeal to evolving tastes and consumer demand. So, for the last dozen years, we have invested heavily in creating what we refer to as an &ldquo;elevated sports restaurant experience&rdquo;. Today, we have more than 70 locations across the globe and have built a solid system of dedicated franchisees who continue to grow along with the brand.

But that didn&rsquo;t happen overnight.

Recently, I was honored to be contacted by the International Franchise Association to speak at their Emerging Franchisor Conference in Phoenix. I am passionate about sharing my learnings and providing advice to franchisors that might benefit from my experience. However, the invitation was also a nod to the fact that our hard work over the years has put us in the category of an established brand.

It feels like just yesterday that our executive team was celebrating that we landed as the #1 restaurant chain on Restaurant Business&rsquo;s &ldquo;The Future 50&rdquo; list in 2008. As we come up on the decade anniversary of that recognition, we are proud to be viewed as an &ldquo;established&rdquo; brand &ndash; however, we still approach every day as if we are an emerging concept. It&rsquo;s important to stay hungry, continue to think innovatively, and not rest on your laurels.

It was with that in mind that I had time to reflect on the last decade of our growth to prepare for my presentation at the Emerging Franchisor Conference. What were the pitfalls we faced? What obstacles were we able to overcome? What were the best practices we&rsquo;ve arrived at through trial and error that could save an emerging entrepreneur time, and maybe more importantly, money.

I have a huge passion for business, and the franchise industry in particular. From the moment that my wife supported my dream of owning a business in America and I made the decision to purchase Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings, I have been consistently impressed by the franchise model and inspired by those hoping to achieve similar dreams of establishing a concept that can give people an opportunity at small business ownership and create jobs in communities across the country.

The leading theme of the two-day conference was how to grow in a quality manner &ndash; not how to sell more. That is a very important distinction. &nbsp;It&#39;s not about selling for sales sake - it&#39;s about building a sound organization that is going to be sustainable.

Most young emerging franchisors are obsessed with selling just to sell. But the first focus needs to be on creating solid unit-level economics and the right structure, support and marketing plan to set up the franchisees for success. Those first franchisees are so important to the long-term success of your concept. They will be the flag bearers and validators for the next waves of owners who enter your system. They&rsquo;ll also set the bar for the way your culture and values are instilled at the local level.

When I took the stage at the Emerging Franchisor Conference, I asked each individual in the audience to take a selfie. I told them that the person they are looking at will be their worst enemy and biggest obstacle towards sound and strategic growth.

What leads you from 1 to 3 units is not what will lead you from 3 to 10.&nbsp;

The leaps between reaching 10 units, then 50 units, and then 200 or more units are enormously different. Everything that you do in building those first 10 units will impact your growth towards the next thresholds.

We crossed the 50 unit mark years ago, and it was through a sound strategy and by not getting impatient or greedy during the process. We focused our energy on creating a corporate team that was talented, experienced, and truly bought into our vision.

But we also made some mistakes.

Geographically we spread our wings a little too far. (Pun intended.) When we entered aggressive growth mode, the onset of the internet business-to-business channels made expansion in markets far beyond our Cincinnati headquarters possible. In retrospect, we should have focused on a more geographically sound business strategy. But that&rsquo;s something we&rsquo;ve accounted for and that I was happy to share with the entrepreneurs in the audience who were sitting at 10 or less unit systems.

It&rsquo;s important to change and evolve because if you don&#39;t do that, you&#39;re going to be your worst enemy.

We constantly evolve at Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings. That&#39;s the key word. Evolve. You need to evolve or else you plateau. As we enter 2018 and continue our mission to bring our elevated sports restaurant experience to more states, cities and communities, we continue to look at ourselves in the mirror and make sure that we aren&rsquo;t turning into our worst enemy.

Hopefully those in attendance at the Emerging Franchisor Conference are doing the same, and hopefully in 5-10 years many of them will be standing where I was, providing the advice for a next generation of inspired and motivated franchisors.

How Buffalo Wings & Rings Has Gone from Upstart Brand to Established Concept

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Buffalo Wings & Rings CEO Nader Masadeh’s Vision for the Future of the Sports Restaurant

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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.

Wings and Rings Launches Operating Partner Program to Reward Top Performers and Build Future Franchise Owners

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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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How Buffalo Wings & Rings Has Gone from Upstart Brand to Established Concept

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