Buffalo Wild Wings® Comes To The Northeast
(Thursday, May 19, 2005) - Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWLD), one of the top ten fastest growing restaurant chains in the United States, today announced it has entered a 36-unit area development agreement for the metro-New York area with Four M Capital, Inc. a New York-based investment company. This agreement signals the beginning of the chain's entrance to New England and the northeastern section of the United States, adding to the current number of 320 restaurants in 32 states.
Sally Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer for Buffalo Wild Wings stated, "This represents a very important step for our company and the Buffalo Wild Wings brand. We are very excited to be entering the metro-New York area and thrilled to have found such a capable and committed franchise partner as Four M Capital to lead the way. It is particularly gratifying that after having had tremendous success investing in other industries that Four M Capital viewed Buffalo Wild Wings as the best investment opportunity when it decided to enter the restaurant business. We expect Four M Capital to be a great addition to Buffalo Wild Wings."
The area development agreement with Buffalo Wild Wings represents Four M Capital's first venture in the restaurant industry. Four M Capital plans to develop locations in each of the five boroughs of New York City, as well as Nassau County, NY, Bergen County, NJ, portions of Westchester County, NY and portions of Southern Connecticut. The first opening is planned for winter 2005.
James Bitzonis, President of Four M Capital stated, "We believe the restaurant business presents great opportunities, provided you partner with the right concept and the right management team. After reviewing a number of opportunities, we concluded Buffalo Wild Wings to be the best opportunity for us. The concept is a natural for this geographic area – there are millions of wings, beer and sports fans and we can't wait to provide them with a location that delivers these three essentials in an energetic, family-friendly environment. We were extremely impressed with the incredible growth that Buffalo Wild Wings has seen over recent years, and we are thrilled to be part of such a unique and successful concept."
In conjunction with this announcement, Buffalo Wild Wings, known for its award-winning chicken wings, has also signed an 11-unit deal with Randy Schwoerer for new franchised locations in southern Alabama, the Florida panhandle and portions of the Mississippi Coast. These locations will join the Buffalo Wild Wings locations in Louisiana (4 restaurants), Florida (8 restaurants), Alabama (3 restaurants) and Mississippi (2 restaurants).
Additionally, Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. recently signed an area development agreement with Luke Strockis and Jim Pappas for California with a five-unit deal. The franchisees opened the first Buffalo Wild Wings Golden State restaurant in Rancho Cucamonga on March 20, 2005. The company plans to establish other franchise partnerships to broaden its development of the California market, focusing first in Southern California.
"Our expansion to both coastlines through metro-New York and California is an exciting step for Buffalo Wild Wings," added Smith. "Both agreements are important for the forward motion of our company, and strategically, this announcement keeps us in line for further growth and development."
Buffalo Wild Wings locations are two-thirds franchised and one-third company owned. The Company is known for its Buffalo, New York-style chicken wings spun in one of 12 Buffalo Wild Wings signature sauces. A top player in the fast-casual restaurant arena, Buffalo Wild Wings is the recipient of dozens of "Best Wings" and "Best Sports Bar" awards from across the country.
About Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., founded in 1982 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is an established and growing owner, operator and franchisor of restaurants featuring a variety of boldly flavored, made-to-order menu items including Buffalo, New York-style chicken wings spun in one of 12 Buffalo Wild Wings signature sauces. The widespread appeal of the Buffalo Wild Wings concept establishes it as an inviting, neighborhood destination with over 315 company-owned and franchised restaurants in 32 states.
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