Buffalo Wild Wings vs Wings Etc. Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
Wings Etc. Franchise
Investment $2,695,100 - $4,244,300$351,200 - $1,669,369
Franchise Fee $25,000$39,500
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 3.25%1%
Year Founded 19821994
Year Franchised 19912005
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee $5K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
Wings Etc. Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Track record of success
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    Wings Etc. 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
    Wings Etc. Franchise
    Training -Wings Etc. operates 7 (soon to be 8) company-owned stores, and has real-world, day-to-day operational and business experience driving sales for our concept. This level of investment and commitment has resulted in a franchise training program that is built upon continually-improving best practices, excellent documentation, extensive daily, weekly and monthly forms, and deep industry experience in national chain restaurants among our trainers. Our training program includes up to six weeks of comprehensive, hands-on training for you and your management staff.
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesInitial support includes site selection assistance, financing consultation, and hands-on training at a certified training site, where you'll observe and participate in the day-to-day operation of a successful Wings Etc. location.
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional 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)

    25% of all franchisees own more than one unit. Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 50. Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators).


    Expansion Plans

     
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    Wings Etc. 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 Wings Etc.

    Founded in 1994 by Jim Weaver in the South Bend, Indiana area, Wings Etc. is a family-friendly Grill & Pub, with a diverse menu featuring our Award-Winning Jumbo Buffalo Wings, Ribs, Burgers, Sandwiches, Subs, Wraps, Flatbread, Salads, Kids Meals, Cold Beer and other drinks, great atmosphere, and that good-old-fashioned "vibe" that makes people want to come in and hang out. As a sports-themed pub, we offer multiple, visible-from-everywhere flat-screen TVs, great sports packages on satellite television, and we always have our sets tuned to the best sports programming available. Wings Etc. has kid-friendly, arcade-quality video games, Daily Drink Specials, Daily Lunch Specials, Daily Food Specials and much more. Wings Etc. now franchises its proven, full-service restaurant concept in multiple Midwestern states, and is currently seeking qualified franchise operators for select markets. The advantages of the Wings Etc. franchise opportunity include low start-up costs, low break-even requirements, full pre-opening training and support, simple operations, negotiated volume discounts on food, equipment and supplies, ongoing operational support and national-quality marketing and advertising.

    "Top
    #74 in Gator's Top franchises.
    #358 in Franchise 500 for 2021.  Not in Franchise 500 for 2020.