Buffalo Wild Wings franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Buffalo Wild Wings franchise fee is $12,500 to $25,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $2,882,845 to $4,883,320, with about $675,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Buffalo Wild Wings FDD.
What are the Buffalo Wild Wings franchise fees and investment?
The Buffalo Wild Wings franchise requires a franchise fee of $12,500 to $25,000 and a total initial investment of $2,882,845 to $4,883,320. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $12,500 to $25,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $2,882,845 to $4,883,320 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $675,000 |
| US locations | 1,183 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Chicken) |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Franchising since | 1991 |
How does the Buffalo Wild Wings investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Buffalo Wild Wings's minimum investment of $2,882,845 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 13 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $12,500 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Buffalo Wild Wings belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Buffalo Wild Wings FDD?
Verify six parts of the Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Buffalo Wild Wings discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Buffalo Wild Wings?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Buffalo Wild Wings:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Buona | $40,000 | $2,916,867 to $5,256,675 |
| TGI Fridays | $50,000 | $2,721,000 to $4,326,000 |
| Red Robin | $35,000 | $2,705,000 to $5,785,000 |
| Bojangle's Famous Chicken'n Biscuits | $35,000 | $2,650,870 to $3,829,400 |
| Culver's | $20,000 to $55,000 | $2,642,500 to $8,573,000 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Buffalo Wild Wings franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Buffalo Wild Wings franchise ranges from $2,882,845 to $4,883,320, including a franchise fee of $12,500 to $25,000, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Buffalo Wild Wings franchise?
Buffalo Wild Wings lists a minimum of about $675,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Buffalo Wild Wings locations are there?
Buffalo Wild Wings reported 1,183 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Buffalo Wild Wings been franchising?
Buffalo Wild Wings started offering franchises in 1991 after the company was founded in 1990.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Buffalo Wild Wings and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Buffalo Wild Wings. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.