Wings and Rings

Nick Kallander almost walked away from the task-at-hand of turning around the <a href="http://ownabuffalo.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=rapid-city-journal-new-buffalo-wings-rings-manager-helps-restaurant-sales-take-skyrocket-5312" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings</a> on Sheridan Lake Road. However, his steadfastness resulted in his receiving of a nation-wide honor last month. Since taking over control of the restaurant, Kallander's success was realized by customers and the sales of the restaurant grew 60% over the last 28 months. Company officials also noticed the turnaround at the national conference, awarding him the overall Manager of the Year among Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings' 70 franchises. "That was a big surprise," Kallander said. Kallander brought 17 years of experience with him to his new job as the general manager of Scott Landguth's Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings in Rapid City. With his experience he hired a new kitchen manager to cut down the ticket times on food and made big changes to the wait staff, hiring servers with years of experience instead of young servers with little or no experience. With competition in the fast-casual restaurant industry being so fierce, Kallander said it's important for positive word-of-mouth, born consistently out of good food and service. "One bad experience and you'll tell five friends and they'll tell all of their friends," he said. "Never let your customers leave angry." <a href="http://rapidcityjournal.com/business/talking-business/talking-business-new-manager-helps-restaurant-sales-take-wing/article_36f0851b-e823-5e2a-8db5-805aed8c7315.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=rapid-city-journal-new-buffalo-wings-rings-manager-helps-restaurant-sales-take-skyrocket-5312" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here to read the original article.</a>

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Nick Kallander was recently honored as Manager of the Year at the Buffalo Wings & Rings conference for his efforts. 


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Rapid City Journal: New Buffalo Wings & Rings Manager Helps Restaurant Sales Take Skyrocket

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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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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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Rapid City Journal: New Buffalo Wings & Rings Manager Helps Restaurant Sales Take Skyrocket

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