Buffalo Wild Wings vs Slim Chickens Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
Slim Chickens Franchise
Investment $2,695,100 - $4,244,300$841,900 - $1,739,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$15,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 3.25%1.5%
Year Founded 19822003
Year Franchised 19912011
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee $5K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
Slim Chickens Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Track record of success
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    Slim Chickens 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
    Slim Chickens Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives-
    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)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    Slim Chickens 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 Slim Chickens

    Our roots run deep in the Delta where the food is honest, meals are social, and the door is always open. We started with a mission to bring a dose of that southern hospitality to a fast, casual setting - serving Fresh Delicious Chicken® to the communities we serve.
    Our startup story is pretty simple. It all started with a craving for a quick, quality meal - fresh chicken cooked to order. The founders, Greg Smart and Tom Gordon, discovered there was a niche to fill and rallied where lots of great startups begin, from their garage! Tireless testing and a laser-focused vision launched the first
    Slim Chickens restaurant in Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2003. Now, tens of thousands of happy customers later, we know that there’s something special about our hand-breaded chicken tenders, fresh hot chicken sandwiches, made-to-order wings and our house-made dipping sauces that keep our loyal fans coming back…over and over again.
    Our service model sets us apart from quick service restaurants. Whether you’re dining in, driving through, or carrying out, our people will greet you with a warm smile and a desire to please. When dining in, we bring your food to your table and provide you with that extra touch of hospitality. We strive to return that enthusiasm by giving back to the communities we serve - helping local non-profits with fundraisers, donating food to community events, and doing everything we can to improve the lives of people in the communities where we live and work.

    The initial investment necessary to begin operation of a single Slim Chickens franchise ranges from $841,900 to $1,739,000. This includes $15,000 that must be paid to the franchisor as initial franchise fees. If you sign a Development Agreement to develop multiple Restaurants, you will have to pay the franchisor a territory fee equal to $15,000 multiplied by the total number of Restaurants to be developed. The franchisor does not have a minimum number of Restaurants you would need to develop to sign a Development Agreement.