Member Spotlight: Buffalo Wild Wings
“Buffalo Wild Wings is known for great wings,” said manager Rick Putnam, “But it is not just wings. We have a full
menu, ranging from appetizers and salads to sandwiches and burgers – and specialty menu items such as our new flatbread [pizzas]. And no, not everything here is spicy!”
Buffalo Wild Wings was established in Kent, Ohio in 1981 when founders James Disbrow and Scott Lowery were unable to find authentic Buffalo-style chicken wings in the area. After operating successfully as a regional chain for several years, Buffalo Wild Wings grew into a national chain and became a franchise. Today, there are more than 700 Buffalo Wild Wings locations throughout the United States; some are company-owned and some operate as a franchise. Last year, Buffalo Wild Wings expanded internationally into Canada.
Rick Putnam has managed the Quincy Buffalo Wild Wings franchise since it opened in 2008. The Quincy location is part of a nine-store franchise operated out of Peoria.
“Opening a location in Quincy was a natural progression,” said Putnam. “With locations in Peoria, Bloomington, and Springfield – and Quincy’s good track record with restaurants – it made sense to expand into Quincy.”
Quincy also has the reputation of being a great sports town, which is another reason the expansion of Buffalo Wild Wings into Quincy made sense. With 45 televisions, including seven 6-foot screens, Buffalo Wild Wings is the place to watch your favorite sporting event, from NFL to college basketball, NASCAR to UFC and almost every other sporting event imaginable – especially those you can’t get at home.
“Football games are generally the biggest draw,” said BWW manager Rick Putnam. “UFC fights are popular in the winter; there is usually a steep fee to watch those events at home, so customers can watch them here and enjoy drinks and a great meal at the same time. College games are also popular, especially when Illinois, Missouri, or Iowa games. Sports fans also pack the restaurant for Cardinals - Cubs games . . . at least when both teams have a winning record."
Putnam confesses he initially had a little concern about Buffalo Wild Wings being located on the eastern end of town. However, the adjacent stores in the Prairie Crossing development have proven to be a big draw, and easy access from the highway makes it convenient for out-of-town customers to get to the restaurant.
“We have heard talk of another restaurant opening nearby,” said Putnam. “That would actually be positive for our business at Buffalo Wild Wings because it would draw even more customers to the area.”
For regular customers of Buffalo Wild Wings, the food, drinks, sports, and atmosphere of the restaurant is enough of a draw.
“We have lots of regular customers – some people we see as often as three times per week,” said Putnam. “We have really loyal customers. We had one mother of the groom order wings as a surprise for her son and daughter-in-law's reception because they had been joking about being such loyal Buffalo Wild Wings customers that it would 'seem weird' not to be eating wings on their big day. That was one of the most memorable catering requests we've had.”
Buffalo Wild Wings has a designated catering menu and frequently prepares platters of wings, sandwiches, and more for all sizes of groups and types of events.
“One of the greatest things about Buffalo Wild Wings is our ability to be involved in the community,” said Putnam. “We host 'takeover nights' as fundraisers for local nonprofits and we do what we can to support causes and events. In some chains and franchises, you don't have that opportunity. We have enough flexibility to do things with Quincy specifically in mind.”
For more information or to order takeout, call (217) 228-9288. Buffalo Wild Wings, located at 6124 Broadway, is open from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
