Wing Zone vs Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Wing Zone Franchise
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
Investment $342,800 - $566,000$2,695,100 - $4,244,300
Franchise Fee $30,000 - $40,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 2%3.25%
Year Founded 19911982
Year Franchised 19991991
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee $10K$5K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Wing Zone Franchise
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • General business experience
  • Track record of success

  • Financing Options

     
    Wing Zone Franchise
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Wing Zone Franchise
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    Training Wing Zone University, our training program consists of three (3) weeks of classroom and on-site training Our program consists of everything you need to know to open and successfully operate a Wing Zone, including: Recipes and Food-Prep Procedures Quality and Service Standards Guest Promise Inventory Procedures Food Safety Best Hiring Practices Local Store Marketing Digital and Social Media Online Review Management (Yelp, Google, Facebook) Grand Opening Plan -
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives From the moment, you sign the Franchise Agreement to the day you open and beyond we’ll help and guide you with site selection, lease negotiations, finding and hiring the right contractor, store design and construction as well the training on how to open, hire the right people and operate your Wing Zone.Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 12

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.

    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)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Wing Zone Franchise
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Wing Zone

    Join Wing Zone!
    Here's your opportunity to join WingZone, one of the nation's fastest-growing takeout/delivery chains. The Wing Zone concept was launched in 1991 in the most unlikely setting, a fraternity house kitchen. Despite Wing Zone's humble birth, the core idea targeted a pressing need in the marketplace: to serve high-quality, cooked to order food, available for takeout, delivery and dine-in. Today, this simple idea has become one of the hottest franchise opportunities around, having grown to nearly 100 restaurants.
     Matt Friedman and Adam Scott conceived Wing Zone while at the University of Florida due to a dilemma they faced - there was no alternative to pizza delivery for students studying late or suffering from the late night hunger. To fill this void, Matt and Adam developed the Wing Zone concept and quickly expanded it into a great business opportunity. The Wing Zone menu has grown over the years beyond just buffalo wings. It now includes chicken fingers, buffalo shrimp, half-pound burgers, chicken sandwiches and fresh salads. A key ingredient to Wing Zone's success is unchanged - its 25 signature sauces. While Wing Zone is proud of its past, the company is focused on the future. Wing Zone is currently seeking franchise partners to help make Wing Zone the leading franchise opportunity with single, multi-unit, and area development opportunities available in many areas across the nation.

    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.