Wings and Rings Franchise Costs, Fees & Owner Salary (2023)

Wings and Rings, known for its club-level sports restaurant and bar experience, was established in 1984 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and began franchising in 1988. The brand has carved a niche for itself in the competitive food and beverage industry by offering chef-inspired recipes, crave-worthy wings and chicken ringer sandwiches, custom-crafted cocktails, and an environment that fosters social connections.

 The brand stands out with its chef-inspired menu options, catering to dine-in, delivery, carry-out, and catering needs, all within a fun environment open to all fans. The franchise highlights its contemporary and clean restaurant design, with spaces ranging from 4,500 to 5,000+ square feet, promising an inviting atmosphere for guests.

The brand prides itself on combining the simplicity of fast-casual with the engagement and revenue potential of casual dining. With a focus on expansion, Buffalo Wings & Rings offers opportunities for single, multi-unit, and area developer opportunities in various markets, aiming to enhance the sports restaurant experience with a diverse and quality-driven menu beyond just buffalo wings.

Initial Franchise Fee

The Franchise Fee is a sum of $40,000, which is non-refundable.

Royalty Fee

Franchisees will pay a weekly Royalty of up to 5% of the Franchisee’s Net Sales.

Advertising Fee

Each week, Franchisees will also pay an Advertising Fee of up to 4% of their Net Sales.

Grand Opening Advertising

In addition to the franchise fee, a $10,000 Grand Opening Payment is required for the first Franchised Restaurant, which is held in escrow and used for the grand opening marketing plan.

The franchisor provides a comprehensive training program for franchisees, their designated individuals, managers, and employees, to ensure they meet the operational standards and service quality expected by the franchisor. Here are the key components of the training provided:

Management and Employee Training

• Franchisees and their management employees are required to complete the franchisor's training program, which may include sessions on restaurant processes and operations, food preparation, guest interaction, shift management, bar management (including alcohol and dram shop training), marketing, public relations, special events, leadership, food safety, financial management, and human resources.
• The training program is designed to be customized based on the individual’s level of experience and assessments conducted by the franchisor's training team.

On-Site Training

• For the first Wings and Rings Restaurant, the franchisor provides on-site training for the franchisee's employees at the franchised restaurant for a minimum of seven days, with the franchisor bearing all related expenses.
• If the franchised restaurant is not the franchisee's first, on-site training is available upon request but the franchisee must reimburse the franchisor for all expenses.

Additional and Ongoing Training

• Additional training may be required if the franchisor determines that the franchisee, designated individual, or any management employees require further instruction to meet operational standards.
• The franchisee is responsible for all expenses related to additional training, including travel, lodging, and wages for attending personnel.
• Franchisees are also required to attend annual national or regional meetings as part of their ongoing development.

The franchise agreement provides for a "Protected Territory," within which the franchisor may not establish or license another to establish a Wings and Rings Restaurant (except for Special Purpose Outlets) without the franchisee's prior written consent, provided the franchisee complies with all methods, procedures, standards, and specifications required by the franchisor.

The average protected area is defined as an eight-minute drive time radius from the site of the Franchised Restaurant. However, the franchisor retains the right to establish or license others to establish Special Purpose Outlets within this Protected Territory. Special Purpose Outlets are defined as Wings and Rings Restaurants located inside non-traditional locations such as shopping malls, hospitals, airports, university campuses, amusement parks, sports arenas, military bases, national parks, casinos, hotels, or similar establishments​​​​​​.

Furthermore, if the population within the Protected Territory increases by more than 25% from its population at the date of the agreement, the franchisor reserves the right to establish or franchise another franchisee to establish a Wings and Rings Restaurant within the Protected Territory. However, if the franchisee is in compliance with the agreement, they are granted a right of first refusal to establish an additional Wings and Rings Restaurant within this territory​​​​.

The franchise agreement requires active participation in the management and operations of the franchised restaurant. Specifically, the franchisee (or, if the franchisee is not an individual, a designated individual) and the franchisee's management employees are responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the franchised restaurant.

This includes responsibility for all employment decisions and functions, such as hiring, firing, training, and employee discipline​​. The franchisee is also required to make all necessary filings with and pay all taxes and fees due to, various governmental agencies, indicating a hands-on approach to the management and compliance aspects of the business​​.

Furthermore, the franchise agreement stipulates that the franchisee's business activities are confined exclusively to operating the franchised restaurant, suggesting that the franchisor expects franchisees to focus their efforts on the franchise and not engage in passive investment or management​​.