Franchisee Success: How Todd Fetter became successful with Buffalo Wings & Rings

Todd Fetter has always lived with an entrepreneurial mindset. Long before he was a successful Buffalo Wings & Rings franchisee, he was a business owner. He owned a manufacturing business before becoming partners in an e-coating and powdering industry. He grew that company to have two locations and 150 employees before selling his share in 2008, opting for an opportunity that could bring his family into the fold.

With his management and business ownership experience, Fetter drew on his family’s shared interests when searching for a new venture. He, his wife Audra and their five children are all avid sports and wings fans, so with that Todd began looking for a concept that matched these pastimes and came across Buffalo Wings & Rings.

“I liked that the corporate headquarters are in Cincinnati, which means they’re close for training and support,” Fetter said. “I went to several stores to eat and check things out, and found that everything was great.”

Fetter signed an agreement with the brand in 2009 and spent the next four years looking for the perfect location for his first restaurant. While it took a long time for him to finally open his Piqua, Ohio, location, the patience paid off. With the help of his entire family, the restaurant was a smash.

Fetter always wanted an opportunity that included his family—four of his children are actively involved with the business and the Fetters’ adopted child, Hubertine, is sure to lend a helping hand when she’s old enough.

Kellen, Fetter’s oldest son, is a manager, while Keaton helps with audio-visual for the restaurant, and Kyla and Kieran work expo and the kitchen when things get busy. Don’t discount Todd’s hard work and hands-on management style, though.

“I’ll be in there washing dishes on a busy night. I’ll be bussing tables,” he said.

Since that successful opening six years ago Fetter has partnered up with John Gerbus to open more BWR locations. In May, the two broke ground on a brand new Buffalo Wings & Rings in Mason, Ohio, near King’s Island, a large amusement and waterpark. Just last month, they purchased and took over the Lewis Center, Ohio, location outside of Columbus, hoping their tested processes will help bring this location reach its full potential.

“We know what we can do here if we run a good operation,” Fetter said. “We think there is untapped potential (at Lewis Center) too.”

Now, they are scouting locations for an additional restaurant in Lima with more plans for expansion on the horizon.

So how did Fetter become a successful franchisee, now rapidly expanding in the Dayton-Cincinnati- Columbus triangle that he calls home? He attributes it to his hands-on approach, the help and support of both his family and the Buffalo Wings & Rings corporate team, and a whole lot of hard work.