Sub Station II vs Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Sub Station II Franchise
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
Investment $188,500 - $357,000$2,695,100 - $4,244,300
Franchise Fee $20,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee -3.25%
Year Founded 19751982
Year Franchised 19761991
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee -$5K


Business Experience Requirements
 
Sub Station II Franchise
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience

  • General business experience
  • Track record of success
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Sub Station II 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/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Sub Station II Franchise
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations 25% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (85% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 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
     
    Sub Station II Franchise
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Sub Station II

    Quality Food. Great Prices. Since 1975, Sub Station II has been striving to serve our customers a fresh, delicious, and healthy product. We were founded on the simple belief of making fresh food fast, and customized to fit your tastes. Each one of our sandwiches is sliced to order and piled high right before your eyes, with our produce prepared fresh daily. Today, Sub Station II has more than 40 locations spread throughout 5 states in the Southeast. With Sub Station II’s recipe for success and reinvigorated corporate team, it’s beginning to move in a direction that will undoubtedly make it one of the major sub sandwich chains in the future. With today’s fast paced lifestyles, more and more people are eating out than ever before. While the number of restaurants and choices have increased over the years, not all of them have the same relentless drive for quality as Sub Station II. We're here to make sure that you and your family have a quality dining experience at all of our locations, all of the time.

    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.