Buffalo Wild Wings vs WingHouse Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
WingHouse Franchise
Investment $2,695,100 - $4,244,300$928,000 - $1,926,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$50,000 - $135,000
Royalty Fee 5%-
Advertising Fee 3.25%-
Year Founded 1982-
Year Franchised 1991-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee $5K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
WingHouse Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Track record of success
  • To be successful as an owner of a WingHouse Restaurant, you need to be passionate about the WingHouse concept; you must embrace the WingHouse Culture & Mission Statement; yourself or your operating partner must have previous full service restaurant operations and ownership experience. At least one of the owners of the WingHouse restaurant must have prior experience operating full service restaurants. The minimum ownership of the operating partner must be at least 10% of the business.

    Financing Options

     
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    WingHouse 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
    WingHouse Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesRestaurant Operations - Benchmarking and Key Operating Metrics; Cost Controls and Operating Manuals Restaurant Technology & Information Systems - Point-of-Sale; Back-of-House Reporting; Remote Access & Monitoring Training - Opening; Staffing; Food Preparation; Policy & Procedures Restaurant Development - Market Planning; Site Selection and Negotiation; Concept Plans; Project Scheduling
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingExtensive media library using multiple formats to drive guest traffic, average check and repeat guests
    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)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    WingHouse 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 WingHouse

    WingHouse is a full-service, casual dining restaurant. Founded in 1994, the keys to our success have been a focus on excellence in restaurant operations and customer service. Each successful WingHouse location will have the following attributes: Brilliant on the Basics - Highly-Satisfied Repeat Guests The WingHouse Girl - Attractive, Polite and a Big Smile "The Girl Next Door" The Food - High-Quality, Oversized Portions at a Great Value The Atmosphere - Fun, casual, friendly environment The Management - Hands-on Managers that interact with guests and staff. The "mayor" of their market. Our company’s mission statement is to be brilliant on the basics. In our business that means highly satisfied guests. We believe in repeat customers that frequent our establishment often. We emphasize over-sized entrees and a great value. We provide a very casual and relaxed atmosphere, with continuous music throughout our establishment. We operate in a clean and safe environment with strict adherence to our policies and procedures. A main attraction to our store is the "World Famous WingHouse Girl." "The Girl Next Door" that is always polite and always smiling with a great positive outlook on life. If we execute all these ingredients and are "Brilliant on the Basics," we feel that the WingHouse will be a success in any neighborhood.