History of Buffalo Wild Wings in Timeline

Buffalo Wild Wings is a prominent American casual dining restaurant and sports bar chain. Its core offering revolves around chicken wings, complemented by a wide array of sauces and seasonings. The restaurant's atmosphere is designed to appeal to sports enthusiasts, with numerous televisions broadcasting live games. The company operates primarily through franchising, with locations across the United States and internationally. It's known for its social atmosphere, trivia games, and sports-centric promotions, aiming to provide a gathering place for friends and families to enjoy food and entertainment together.

1982: Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck (BW3) Founded

In 1982, Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck (BW3) was founded by James Disbrow and Scott Lowery in Kent, Ohio. The founders, unable to find a restaurant serving Buffalo-style chicken wings, decided to open their own restaurant near Ohio State University in Columbus.

1992: Franchising Begins

In 1992, Buffalo Wild Wings began franchising by working with Francorp, a Chicago-based law firm. The original franchise fee was $15,000 to $20,000 plus a percentage of sales, and its bottled wing sauces were manufactured by Wilsey, Inc. of Atlanta. The company's headquarters was established in Cincinnati in 1992.

1993: Eight More Locations Added

By 1993, Buffalo Wild Wings added eight more locations, primarily in Ohio, expanding its presence in the region.

1994: Sally Smith Hired as CFO

In late 1994, James Disbrow hired Sally Smith, who was employed at his father-in-law's business, as a part-time chief financial officer for Buffalo Wild Wings.

1995: $12 Million in Revenue with $1.6 Million Loss

During 1995, Buffalo Wild Wings reported $12 million in revenue but experienced a loss of $1.6 million due to haphazard business practices before Sally Smith addressed financial issues.

1995: New Free-Standing Outlet Prototype Designed

In 1995, Buffalo Wild Wings designed a new prototype free-standing outlet featuring clear separation between the bar and dining areas and seating for 190. This change reflected a strategic shift from a college sports-bar to casual dining.

August 1996: Sally Smith Promoted to President and CEO

In August 1996, Sally Smith was promoted to president and CEO of Buffalo Wild Wings, while James Disbrow became chairman of the board.

1998: Name Standardized and Packaging Upgraded

In 1998, Buffalo Wild Wings standardized its name, deciding on 'Buffalo Wild Wings' after using variations like BW3 in different markets, and upgraded the packaging to increase home sales of their sauces.

October 1999: 100th Location Opened

In October 1999, Buffalo Wild Wings opened its 100th location in Apple Valley, Minnesota, near its corporate headquarters, with 23 company-owned restaurants at the time.

December 1999: Venture Capital Firms Purchase Majority Stake

In December 1999, three venture capital firms and others purchased a majority stake of $8.5 million in shares of Buffalo Wild Wings, with plans to fund expansion expecting to have 260 sites by late 2003.

2000: New Sauces Added and First Dessert Introduced

In 2000, Buffalo Wild Wings, now calling its locations Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, tested several new sauces and added two to the menu along with its first dessert. The chain was in 19 states with 140 locations, including one in Buffalo, New York.

September 2001: 100th Franchised Location Opened

In late September 2001, Buffalo Wild Wings opened its 100th franchised location in West Lafayette, Indiana, marking a significant milestone in the company's national expansion.

October 2002: James Disbrow Dies

In October 2002, James Disbrow, one of the founders of Buffalo Wild Wings, passed away. Sally Smith continued as company executive, and Scott Lowery as vice president of franchise construction.

November 21, 2003: Buffalo Wild Wings Begins Trading on NASDAQ

On November 21, 2003, Buffalo Wild Wings began trading on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol BWLD, marking its entry into the public stock market.

2003: Planned Expansion to 260 Sites

By late 2003, Buffalo Wild Wings had expected to have 260 sites after a funding round to support expansion.

2003: 211 Locations in 27 States

By the end of the third quarter of 2003, Buffalo Wild Wings had 211 locations in 27 states.

2010: Expansion into Canada Announced

In 2010, Buffalo Wild Wings announced plans for expansion into Canada, marking its first venture into the international market.

March 2013: Minority Stake in PizzaRev

In March 2013, Buffalo Wild Wings acquired a minority stake in PizzaRev, an upscale pizza restaurant chain.

August 2014: Majority Stake in Rusty Taco Chain

In August 2014, Buffalo Wild Wings purchased a majority stake in the Rusty Taco chain.

2015: Expansion into the United Arab Emirates

In 2015, Buffalo Wild Wings expanded into the United Arab Emirates with the opening of a restaurant in Dubai, further extending its international presence.

November 2017: Roark Capital Group Announces Plan to Purchase Buffalo Wild Wings

In November 2017, Roark Capital Group and The Wendy's Company announced their plan to purchase Buffalo Wild Wings for approximately $2.4 billion plus debt.

February 5, 2018: Purchase by Roark Capital Group Completed; Arby's Restaurant Group Renamed Inspire Brands

On February 5, 2018, the purchase of Buffalo Wild Wings by Roark Capital Group was completed. Arby's Restaurant Group was renamed Inspire Brands and set up as the holding parent company to Arby's, Buffalo Wild Wings, and R Taco.

September 5, 2018: R Taco Changes Name Back to Rusty Taco

On September 5, 2018, Inspire Brands subsidiary R Taco announced it was changing its name back to Rusty Taco.

2019: Deal with MGM Resorts International and Roar Digital

In 2019, Buffalo Wild Wings announced a multiyear deal with MGM Resorts International and its sports betting venture Roar Digital.

2020: Partnership with League of Legends Championship Series (LCS)

In 2020, Buffalo Wild Wings announced a national partnership with the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS).

2022: Sponsorship Deal with Doug Edert

During the 2022 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, Buffalo Wild Wings signed a sponsorship deal with Doug Edert, a breakout star of the Saint Peter's team.

March 2023: 12 Canadian Locations

In March 2023, Buffalo Wild Wings had 12 locations in Canada, prior to its exit from the Canadian market.

June 2023: Buffalo Wild Wings Exits Canadian Market

In June 2023, Buffalo Wild Wings exited the Canadian market after closing its remaining 5 locations in Ontario.

2024: Net Income for the First Quarter Around US $87 Million

In 2024, Buffalo Wild Wings' net income for the first quarter was around US $87 million, with earnings per share (EPS) of US $0.38.

March 2025: 1,300 Locations Across All 50 U.S. States

As of March 2025, Buffalo Wild Wings has over 1,300 locations across all 50 U.S. states. The company's operations are based in Atlanta, Georgia, within the Sandy Springs district, under its parent company, Inspire Brands.

July 20, 2025: Operating Revenue Approximately US $1.035 Billion

As of July 20, 2025, Buffalo Wild Wings reported trailing twelve-month operating revenue of approximately US $1.035 billion, a 3.2 % decline from the prior year.