Buffalo Wild Wings vs Hurricane Grill & Wings Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Buffalo Wild Wings vs Hurricane Grill & Wings including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
Hurricane Grill & Wings Franchise
Investment $2,695,100 - $4,244,300$491,500 - $1,464,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$50,000
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee 3.25%4%
Year Founded 19821995
Year Franchised 19912006
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years+5+5
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years+5+5
Renewal Fee $5K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
Hurricane Grill & Wings Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Track record of success
  • Our ideal candidate is someone who wants to run the best restaurant and really be a part of the local community. * The ability to build revenues through building and operating stores effectively. * A strong desire to succeed by building an organization that delivers exceptional customer service. * The ability to effectively recruit, train, motivate and retain people. * The ability to manage finances and keep controllables in line for maximum profitability. * A minimum of $300,000 liquid assets and $500,000 net worth * A minimum of two years of food experience is preferred.

    Financing Options

     
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    Hurricane Grill & Wings Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/No-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    Hurricane Grill & Wings Franchise
    Training -During your four weeks of training, we will show you how to control food and labor costs using proven systems and procedures that will maximize your investment. On-The-Job Training: 75 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media Email marketing
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 40 - 60

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (80% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Absentee Ownership Allowed

    Number of Employees Required to Run: 55


    Expansion Plans

     
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    Hurricane Grill & Wings Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About Buffalo Wild Wings

    Buffalo Wild Wings got its start in 1981 after Jim Disbrow and Scott Lowery moved from Buffalo, New York, to Kent, Ohio. Unable to find authentic Buffalo-style chicken wings in their new town, they decided to open up their own restaurant. Originally called Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck (see Kummelweck) from which the abbreviation BW3 was created, the restaurant became a franchise with over 350 locations across most states of the U.S. The company later changed its name to Buffalo Wild Wings and is no longer uses the short name BW3. The restaurant's theme is a sports bar / restaurant, and each location features multiple large screen televisions that are viewable from all seats. All locations also have game consoles devoted to NTN Trivia. Buffalo Wild Wings is best-known for its buffalo wings with 12 signature sauces. They also have a full menu featuring salads, appetizers, burgers, and specialty items.

    United States Franchising

    We require that our U.S. franchise candidates have a minimum of USD 750,000 in liquid assets and a net worth of USD 1.5 million. Additionally, there is a minimum commitment to develop at least 2 restaurants.

    International Franchising

    We require that our international franchise candidates have a minimum of USD 5 million in liquid assets and net worth of USD 10 million. Additionally, there is a minimum commitment to develop at least 10 restaurants.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Buffalo Wild Wings Sports Bar franchise ranges from $2,695,100 to $4,244,300. This includes $10,000 to $55,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
    If you sign an Area Development Agreement to develop multiple Buffalo Wild Wings Sports Bars, the total investment necessary to begin operation under the Area Development Agreement is $10,000 to $300,000. This includes $10,000 to $30,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.

    #159 in Franchise 500 for 2020.



    About Hurricane Grill & Wings

    Return on investment is the core of our business model. Our team will help you locate and evaluate superior inline and end cap locations based on population, demographics, traffic counts and other pertinent data in order to minimize the initial investment. Our flexible floorplans allow for a wide range of restaurant sizes from 2500 to 4500 square feet or larger, and we will consider retail and restaurant space. Simple operation is core to our concept. We only require three major pieces of equipment in the kitchen. Because we are focused on return on investment, we may allow the use of second generation restaurant equipment to outfit their kitchens. While this equipment must meet our specifications and be fully operational, this greatly reduces the initial kitchen equipment cost. During your four weeks of training, we will show you how to control food and labor costs using proven systems and procedures that will maximize your investment.

     The Hurricane advantage is simplicity. It is the foundation of everything we do. It is a clear expression of our intentions and our culture: how we look at, manage and plan the business. We are always looking for ways to take the complexity out of the business, with a focus on being the best place to eat in town. We have proven products and a guest experience that will make you proud to own and operate the next Hurricane Grill & Wings! We know what works and what doesn't, so we can help you accelerate your knowledge base and move your business forward quickly. Each location is built upon the principles that have made our stores successful: friendly, hardworking people serving simple, high-quality food, made surprisingly fast at a reasonable price. Add to that our wonderfully designed stores, unique decor and relaxing atmosphere and you begin to see what makes the Hurricane experience so special. We want to ensure that our customers receive the best products in the same tradition that Hurricane has established and is known for.