MEMBER NEWS
Cleveland Buffalo Wild Wings Co-Op Hosts EWRF Events
to Support the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life
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n April 5, Buffalo Wild Wings® locations in northeast
Ohio hosted Eat Wings Raise Funds events to support the
American Cancer Society’s local Relay for Life walks. There are
a total of 21 B-Dubs® locations included in the Buffalo Wild
Wings Cleveland Co-Op, and they all intend on participating
in local Relay for Life events in some fashion.
The Cleveland Co-Op has teamed up with the American
Cancer Society for the last three years, and in 2015, the group
was presented the Corporate Excellence Award for leadership in
the fight against cancer.
“An American Cancer Society representative approached
one location to start with, and since there are Relay for Life
walks in every area there is a Buffalo Wild Wings location
in northeast Ohio, that
franchisee inquired with the
Co-Op about making it the
group’s charitable focus,” said
Colleen Flowers, director
of marketing for Franklins’
Management of Cleveland,
LLC.
Unlike other EWRF
events, the Relay for Life
fundraisers run for an entire
day, and 20 percent of the
day’s sales (minus alcohol
and tax) will be donated back
to the organization. Flowers
notes that many of the local Relay for Life Chapters will set up
a display inside their local B-Dubs on the day of the fundraiser
to promote their individual walk.
“It’s such a fun atmosphere inside the stores on the day of
the fundraiser – teams simply enjoy hanging out,” said Flowers.
“There was a slight competitive edge to it because the top teams
that brought in the most sales that day received a portion of the
Buffalo Wild Wings donation directly to support their team.”
In addition to hosting the EWRF event, the Buffalo Wild
Wings locations also have a presence at the local Relay for
Life walks. Some restaurants will send the Blazin’ Bill mascot,
sponsor wing-eating competitions, form their own team or sell
food and donate the proceeds back to Relay for Life and the
American Cancer Society.
In 2016, the NEO Co-Op raised over $21,000 for the
organization.
“We look forward to participating in this event at our three
locations every year,” said Jerry Franklin Jr., franchisee with
Franklins’ Management. “It is sad that just about everyone can
somehow personally relate to cancer, but it is wonderful to see
our communities come together and support those currently
fighting and those who are honoring loved ones that may have
lost their battle. Speaking with representatives and volunteers at
the American Cancer Society is truly inspirational, and we can
only hope we are able assist with helping find a cure.” S
Franklin’s Management of Cleveland, LLC has three participating
area locations that are a part of the Buffalo Wild Wings Cleveland
Co-Op.