JK&T Wings, which operates
more than three dozen stores
in three states, brings together
two families as BWW franchisees. Kent Ward and Jim
Carmody started with Buffalo
Wild Wings in the mid-1990s.
The company has grown to
include Kent’s son, Caleb, and
brother, Tim, along with Jim’s
sons, Brian and Jeff.
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SCORE | 2016 Issue 2
While some may shudder at the thought of being in business with family, others see how the partnership brings the
family closer together. Sure there are work responsibilities, but
at the end of the day, it’s family.“Fortunately, for me, I get to
converse with my brother on a daily basis about work but, at
the same time, we can end the conversation and ask how the
kids are doing or ask how the wife’s doing. I think that provides
an opportunity you may not have because you get busy in your
day-to-day business,”Brian Carmody said.“If he or my dad or
Kent or Caleb or Tim weren’t involved in the business, we might
not speak as much just because you’re busy and everyone’s
getting pulled in every different direction. This allows us to be a
pretty close-knit family.”
Continued on page 30
THE
the company’s Louisiana operations.“We are fortunate enough
that our two families get along really well and all communicate
very well, so things work. Not too many families can get along
the way we do and separate business from the personal side of
things,” said Jeff Carmody.“We communicate those things very
well, and I think all have the same goals and aspirations when it
comes to those things.”
Working alongside family provides security not often found
in small business. If a shift needs coverage, there’s someone
responsible to jump in, or if someone needs to be there early
to let maintenance personnel into the building, you can count
on family to be there. During large events, when it’s all hands
on deck, they will be there.“It’s just the comfort and security of
knowing someone has your back,”Gayle Schmidt explained.