Buffalo Wild Wings vs The Flame Broiler Restaurant Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
The Flame Broiler Restaurant Franchise
Investment $2,695,100 - $4,244,300$380,116 - $609,763
Franchise Fee $25,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 3.25%3%
Year Founded 19821995
Year Franchised 19911999
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee $5K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
The Flame Broiler Restaurant Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Track record of success
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    The Flame Broiler Restaurant 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
    The Flame Broiler Restaurant Franchise
    Training - On-The-Job Training: 68-148 hours Classroom Training: 12 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesMeetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingRegional Advertising
    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: 8


    Expansion Plans

     
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    The Flame Broiler Restaurant Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    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 The Flame Broiler Restaurant

    The first The Flame Broiler, The Rice Bowl King restaurant opened in 1995 in Fullerton, California. Young Lee, who had graduated from UCLA with a degree in Economics and had joined the workforce, often found himself on the road during his workday. As a result, he often found himself grabbing a quick bite to eat for lunch at many different fast food restaurants. Very entrepreneurial in nature, Young Lee set out to create a better, healthier alternative to the fast food he had to choose from while working. This led him to open the first The Flame Broiler, The Rice Bowl King restaurant, which served simple, healthy, fast food and family-style Korean food.

    Word about the new restaurant spread, and Young Lee found himself extremely busy during lunch. He quickly developed a very broad customer base; The Flame Broiler, The Rice Bowl King appealed to all ethnicities. The restaurant was a success. Not only did the concept appeal to a diverse group of people, but Young Lee was able to operate on a very low budget, with virtually no waste.

    Because of the restaurant’s popularity and success, Young Lee opened a second restaurant in Santa Ana in 1995. Both restaurants have continued to prosper over the years. Then in April of 1999, Young Lee opened a third restaurant in Anaheim, which would be owned and run by his brother. And he has also developed his own proprietary recipe for the Teriyaki sauce served at The Flame Broiler The Rice Bowl King.

    Word about The Flame Broiler The Rice Bowl King continued to spread. The Flame Broiler The Rice Bowl King had become so popular on the West Coast that customers began asking Young Lee to franchise, which is what he decided to do in 1999. Young Lee saw franchising as a way to provide even more customers with a better, healthy alternative to fast food while maintaining the high level of service and food quality for which The Flame Broiler The Rice Bowl King is so well known.

    Young Lee realizes that franchisees, who have a vested interest in their businesses, will be more dedicated partners in the growth process. By successfully operating their individual The Flame Broiler The Rice Bowl King restaurants, the entire franchise network will have the ability to expand (first through California, then across the nation and eventually internationally), benefit from each others' innovations, and maintain long-term stability. He also realizes that future growth and success can be achieved through the combined efforts of franchisees who have ownership in a business and who have ties to their local communities.