ceoprofile
Bottom Line
What are your long-term goals for the company ? We project that we will reach 123 locations by 2021 . We are continuing to push toward that goal and would like to surpass 120 units well before the end of the decade — but we want to expand with quality franchise prospects with restaurant experience and an understanding of how to scale to grow the brand with multiple units in key markets . We ’ ve enjoyed 20 consecutive quarters of positive same store sales growth , and that ’ s a streak we want to continue . We ’ ve also seen 13 percent average unit growth year-over-year for 8 years , so that ’ s an area where we want to continue . We have several franchisees who came into our system with only one location who are opening their second , third , and even fourth locations now , and we want to continue to give our franchisees the tools to expand their footprint and open more successful restaurants . We are also planning to keep looking for ways to invest in the communities we serve with more outreach programs , charity involvement , and spread the “ Buffalove ” across the country . We ’ ve made great strides in our effort to elevate all levels of the brand to create a truly “ club level ” sports restaurant experience , but there ’ s still more we can do to set ourselves apart from others in the space . We want to be the best , and we want to be a household name in even more markets in the U . S .
How has the economy changed your goals for your company ? When the economy went down , we used it as an opportunity to take a pause and focus on our brand . We created the new G3 ( Generation Three ) model design , which has significantly enhanced the atmosphere and experience in our restaurants . We refined the menu and took the time to truly elevate our offerings beyond the typical sports restaurant fare . We took the economy ’ s dip as an opportunity to invest in our brand . We knew it would turn around eventually , and we wanted to be prepared with the very best overall experience to grow and expand when people were spending money again . It didn ’ t affect our goals too much — we basically just hit the pause button , which allowed us to take a closer look at our brand and product , and in the past few years we ’ ve been able to grow far beyond what we would have been able to without that pause .
“ To me , success is how many people ’ s lives I ’ ve been able to affect and change . How many opportunities have I provided for improvement in the lives of others ?”
Where can capital be found these days ? For a company like ours , it ’ s not an issue . We ’ re conservative and healthy . From what I understand , it ’ s still difficult for single-unit operators out there , though .
How do you measure success ? To me , success is how many people ’ s lives I ’ ve been able to affect and change . How many opportunities have I provided for improvement in the lives of others ? I generally try to focus on people as a measuring stick for my own success .
What has been your greatest success ? Aligning myself with the right people in my career and in our current business structure . From my partners in the ownership team to the employees who work throughout the system and the vendors and suppliers who help us continue to improve on our success , I ’ ve surrounded myself with the very best in the industry .
Any regrets ? As a CEO , you always want to be bigger , sell more , and open more locations . We were able to really redefine the sports restaurant experience and elevate our brand in the last 10 years . So I guess , if anything , I wish we could have gotten to that point even earlier .
What can we expect from your company in the next 12 to 18 months ? We have a lot of new restaurants currently in construction mode that will be opening in the next year . So we are extremely excited about opening a ton of new restaurants across the country , specifically in new markets that haven ’ t gotten to experience Buffalo Wings & Rings yet . We are continuing to focus on the things that differentiate us from others in our space as we work to create a “ club level ” sports restaurant experience . We are constantly looking to elevate and innovate with the menu , so there will be new LTOs and menu items coming . We are using technology to track and improve in all areas of the restaurant experience . We are finding new and exciting ways to reach our fans through marketing and other outreach methods . We are really looking at as many ways as possible to support our franchisees and help them find success . That will continue to be our goal as we push toward reaching 100 units . n
Franchiseupdate ISSUE III , 2016 11