Buffalo Wild Wings

What Buffalo Wild Wings does

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. is a U.S.-headquartered sports bar and casual dining chain founded in 1982 in Columbus, Ohio, and now operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Inspire Brands (the multi-brand restaurant group also containing Arby's, Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin', Jimmy John's, and SONIC Drive-In). The company sells chicken wings (bone-in and boneless), burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, sides, and a full bar program organized around 26 proprietary sauces and dry rubs, targeting sports enthusiasts, casual diners, and digitally-oriented convenience customers across the United States and six international markets (India, Mexico, Panama, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, UAE). The dine-in experience is built around sports viewing with multiple screens per location.

The underlying technology stack is a consumer-facing e-commerce and mobile commerce platform: a responsive website, native iOS and Android applications, and the proprietary Buffalo Wild Wings GO delivery service backed by a shared kitchen (Alliance Kitchen #9600 in Atlanta). Third-party delivery is enabled through DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Postmates. Payment processing supports Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. The Buffalo Wild Wings Rewards loyalty program (10 points per $1 spent, 12 points per $1 at the Blazin' Status elite tier unlocked at $250 annual spend, with 12-month inactivity expiration) anchors the customer data layer, alongside gift cards (non-expiring, no fees) and a branded merchandise redemption shop. Compliance posture includes GDPR, CCPA, a California Transparency in Supply Chains disclosure, and an in-progress WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility implementation.

Revenue mechanics are primarily transactional (food and beverage sales) across dine-in, takeout, and delivery channels, supplemented by stored-value gift card float and merchandise sales. Pricing is unit-based and varies by geography, with promotional cadence anchored on recurring deals such as BOGO Thursday boneless wings and value bundles. The company was taken private by Inspire Brands in 2018 for approximately $2.9 billion and no longer trades publicly.

Name

Buffalo Wild Wings

Legal name

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.

Website

https://buffalowildwings.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Buffalo Wild Wings is a U.S. sports bar chain selling wings, burgers, and bar food across dine-in, proprietary delivery (BWW GO), and third-party delivery, supported by a mobile app, a tiered loyalty program, and a 26-sauce proprietary menu. It operates as a subsidiary of Inspire Brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Restaurant Dining (Dine-in): Revenue from customers dining at Buffalo Wild Wings sports bar locations, including food, non-alcoholic beverages, and alcoholic beverages.
2. Online and App Ordering (Takeout/Delivery): Direct ordering through BWW website and mobile app for takeout and delivery, earning loyalty points. Third-party delivery available through DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Postmates (points not earned on third-party orders).
3. Gift Cards: Sale of gift cards at restaurant locations and online. Gift cards never expire with no fees. Promotional gift card offers (e.g., buy $50 get $10 bonus card).
4. Buffalo Wild Wings Rewards Shop: Online merchandise shop where members can redeem accumulated loyalty points or pay with credit/debit cards for branded merchandise. US shipping only.
5. Catering/Party Orders: Party menu items available for delivery and in-store ordering for events and gatherings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Buffalo Wild Wings is a sports bar restaurant chain that sells chicken wings (bone-in and boneless) and a broader food and beverage menu including burgers, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, sides, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, supported by 26 signature sauces and dry rubs. The chain operates company-owned and franchise locations for dine-in sports viewing and fulfills takeout and delivery orders through its own website, iOS/Android apps, Buffalo Wild Wings GO proprietary delivery, and third-party delivery partners.

Product overview

Buffalo Wild Wings is a sports-bar restaurant chain offering a unified platform combining in-restaurant dining, digital ordering via website and mobile app, and delivery services (both proprietary Buffalo Wild Wings GO and third-party partners). The core product portfolio centers on its food and beverage offerings — primarily chicken wings across bone-in and boneless varieties, along with burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, and a full bar — organized into an extensive menu with 26 signature sauces and dry rubs. The digital ecosystem is anchored by the Buffalo Wild Wings Website and Mobile App, which serves as the primary ordering and loyalty interface. Supporting products include Buffalo Wild Wings Rewards (the loyalty program), Buffalo Wild Wings Promotions (rotating deals and bundles), the Buffalo Wild Wings Rewards Shop (merchandise redemption store), Gift Cards, and the proprietary Buffalo Wild Wings GO delivery service. Customers can engage through multiple channels: dine-in at sports bars, online ordering via web/app for pickup or delivery, and third-party delivery platforms (DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Buffalo Wild Wings Website and Mobile App Buffalo Wild Wings' primary digital ordering platform available as a responsive website and native iOS/Android mobile app, enabling customers to browse the menu, place pickup and delivery orders, manage Buffalo Wild Wings Rewards accounts, scan in-store QR codes to earn points, and receive promotions via push notifications. Intended for individual consumers ordering for dine-in pickup, takeout, or delivery.
• Buffalo Wild Wings GO (Delivery Service) Buffalo Wild Wings' proprietary delivery service enabling customers to have wings, burgers, and other menu items delivered directly to their location via the website and app, with no minimum order requirement. Backed by Alliance Kitchen #9600 in Atlanta, GA for third-party delivery and direct fulfillment (peanut and shellfish allergens present in this kitchen).
• Buffalo Wild Wings Rewards (Loyalty Program) Customer loyalty program where members earn 10 points per $1 spent on qualifying purchases, with a Blazin' Status elite tier (12 points per $1) unlocked at $250 annual spend. Members can redeem points for food rewards, birthday rewards, exclusive offers, and BOGO Free Wings on Tuesdays; points expire after 12 months of inactivity.
• Gift Cards Buffalo Wild Wings digital and physical gift cards sold online and at participating locations, redeemable at any participating sports bar and for online orders including delivery. Gift cards never expire and carry no fees.
• Buffalo Wild Wings Rewards Shop (Merchandise Store) An online merchandise store accessible through the BWW app and website where Buffalo Wild Wings Rewards members can redeem accumulated loyalty points or pay via credit/debit for exclusive branded merchandise, with physical items and eBonus coupons offered in limited quantities through periodic merch drops (U.S. shipping only).
• Buffalo Wild Wings Menu (Wings, Burgers, Sandwiches, Sides, Drinks) Buffalo Wild Wings' full dine-in and off-premise food and beverage menu organized into categories including Wings (Bone-In and Boneless, with 26 sauces and dry rubs), Crispy Chicken Dippers, Appetizers, Sides/Dips/Extras, Burgers, Salads, Sandwiches & Wraps, Kids Menu, Drinks, Desserts, Bottled Flavors, Side Sauces, and Party-size orders, including an online-exclusive Matchday Menu.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members earn 10 points per $1 spent on qualifying purchases; 12 points per $1 with Blazin' Status tier (unlocked at $250 annual spend)

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Inspire BrandsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuffalo Wild Wings is owned by Inspire Brands, a multi-brand restaurant company. Inspire Brands manages Buffalo Wild Wings along with fellow brands Arby's, Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin', Jimmy John's, and SONIC Drive-In. Buffalo Wild Wings shares customer data with Inspire Brands for advertising, marketing, and analytics purposes.
• DoorDashcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party food delivery partner enabling customers to order Buffalo Wild Wings for delivery. Note: Buffalo Wild Wings Rewards points are not earned on DoorDash orders.
• GrubhubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party food delivery partner enabling customers to order Buffalo Wild Wings for delivery. Note: Buffalo Wild Wings Rewards points are not earned on Grubhub orders.
• Uber EatscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party food delivery partner enabling customers to order Buffalo Wild Wings for delivery. Note: Buffalo Wild Wings Rewards points are not earned on Uber Eats orders.
• PostmatesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party delivery service enabling customers to order Buffalo Wild Wings for delivery (now largely absorbed into Uber Eats).
• wgiftcard.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party gift card processing and balance checking platform. Handles digital gift card purchases and balance inquiries for Buffalo Wild Wings gift cards.
• VisacoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing partner accepting credit and debit card payments for online orders, delivery, and in-restaurant purchases.
• MastercardcoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing partner accepting credit and debit card payments for online orders, delivery, and in-restaurant purchases.
• American ExpresscoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing partner accepting credit and debit card payments for online orders, delivery, and in-restaurant purchases.
• DiscovercoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing partner accepting credit and debit card payments for online orders, delivery, and in-restaurant purchases.
• Apple PaycoreTechnology or IntegrationMobile payment option available for online ordering and delivery through the Buffalo Wild Wings website and app.
• Google PaycoreTechnology or IntegrationMobile payment option available for online ordering and delivery through the Buffalo Wild Wings website and app.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Applebee's: Applebee's is a comparable casual dining neighborhood chain overlapping with BWW on dine-in experience, sports-themed promotions, and value-wing bundles, targeting the same family and casual adult diner.
• Twin Peaks Restaurant: Twin Peaks is a direct sports-bar restaurant peer with multi-screen sports viewing, full bar, and American grill menu, competing for the same sports-viewing, wings-and-beer occasions.
• Wingstop: Wingstop is a directly comparable wings-focused QSR chain with strong takeout and digital ordering, competing head-to-head with BWW in the chicken wing category and outperforming on unit growth and digital-first experience.
• Chili's Grill & Bar: Chili's is a direct casual dining competitor with a prominent wings menu (including 30/50/100 for $10/15/20 promotions), shared dine-in/takeout/delivery model, and similar SMB/individual consumer target.
• Buffalo Wings & Rings: Buffalo Wings & Rings is a smaller direct competitor in the wings-focused sports-bar segment with a near-identical value proposition and target customer as BWW.
• Hooters: Hooters is a direct sports bar and wings competitor with a similar casual dining, sports-viewing, alcohol-led model and overlapping target customer of sports-enthused adult diners.
• Dave & Buster's: Dave & Buster's combines sports-viewing bar/restaurant with entertainment, competing for the same group sports-viewing dining occasions while adding an entertainment-anchored twist.

Emerging players

• Bonchon Chicken: Bonchon is an emerging wings-focused Asian-fusion chain with strong late-night delivery and digital ordering, partially overlapping BWW's wings category and younger dine-in/delivery customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Outback Steakhouse: Outback is a broader casual dining incumbent with overlapping dine-in and group-occasion use cases, competing for the same casual family and group dining occasions but anchored on steak rather than wings.
• Jimmy John's: Jimmy John's is a fellow Inspire Brands sandwich chain, relevant as a portfolio peer for digital ordering, loyalty, and delivery infrastructure synergies that BWW can leverage under shared ownership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bwwings
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/buffalowildwings
• Facebookfacebook.com/BuffaloWildWings
• Instagraminstagram.com/bwwings
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/buffalo-wild-wings

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Buffalo Wild Wings