Buffalo Wild Wings Archives - Page 2 of 2

AMPAL Group Opens New B-Dubs Restaurant in Marlboro, New Jersey

ampal1 AMPAL Group hosted a grand opening event Oct. 15-16 to celebrate the company’s latest BWW^® location situated in Marlboro, New Jersey.

On Oct. 15, the day before the official grand opening, the restaurant sponsored an invite-only VIP party where those in attendance included the local police department, fire department and mayor’s office. All three groups were treated to a free meal.

Alcohol sales from the night, which totaled over $2,500, were donated to JDRF, a charity committed to education and research for type 1 diabetes.

“AMPAL Group is very excited to bring the Buffalo Wild Wings^® experience to Marlboro, New Jersey, and to join this dynamic community,” said franchisee Amit Patel. “We had a great opening and look forward to continued success in Marlboro.”

As part of the celebration, AMPAL Group provided the first 100 customers to attend the grand opening with a coupon book featuring free wings for a year. The company also gave the first five guests a $50 BWW gift card.

ampal6 As a result, guests started lining up around 6 p.m. in order to save their spot for the 11 a.m. opening the next day. There were roughly 100 patrons lined up by midnight and around 180 by the time the restaurant opened.

Employees kept the B-Dubs^® fans entertained throughout the night by playing games such as slapshot, KanJam and corn hole and hosted a competition for the longest football throw, as well as a free throw contest. Employees also gave away prizes, including coolers, T-shirts, headphones, corn hole sets and tailgating chairs.

The location treated guests to a Dunkin’ Donuts breakfast the following morning and hosted a Blazin’ Challenge, in which 10 people participated, at 9 a.m. on the morning of the grand opening.

The local high school band, cheerleaders and dance team came out to sup
port and cheer on the Marlboro mayor for the ribbon-cutting.

Two Joe’s, Inc. Joins Wings Fest & Brew to Raise Funds for Local Organizations

When the opportunity to assist two area organizations opened up, Two Joe’s, Inc. stepped up to the plate. The Mankato, Minnesota, Buffalo Wild Wings^® was one of a handful of local eateries to enter the city’s first Wings Fest & Brew, held Aug. 27 at Franklin Rogers Park.

Two Joe’s, Inc.’s Becky White sets up the Mankato, Minnesota, Buffalo Wild Wings tent for the city’s inaugural Wings Fest & Brew.

Attendees purchased tickets that allowed them to sample chicken wings from the area vendors during the four-hour event. Proceeds from ticket sales benefited the Mankato MoonDogs, an amateur baseball team, and MRCI WorkSource, a nonprofit working to rehabilitate disabled adults and place them into jobs. MRCI selected judges for the
occasion, while patrons were also able to vote for their favorite bone-in and boneless wings.

Two Joe’s, Inc. worked with the group from concept to execution. Organizers looked to Mankato’s annual Rib Fest, which takes place over four days in early August, for ideas. The event was advertised on the radio and through social media. Two Joe’s also took the opportunity to promote their participation in the charitable event with in-restaurant table tents.

In addition to tasty wing samples, Wings Fest & Brew featured a beer garden, a children’s area, tables from local sponsors, and music provided by IV Play, a Mankato rock cover group.

Two Joe’s, Inc. franchisee Joe Frederick said being involved to support a good community fundraising event was a huge benefit to the company’s two Minnesota locations. “We have worked with both the Mankato Moondogs and MRCI in the past, so when they came together and hosted the Wings Fest & Brew, we knew we had to participate! It was great to help shape a first-year fundraising event for the area.”

The inaugural event was a home run, with more than 450 people in attendance.

AMPAL Group Sponsors Fords Youth Association 2016 Football Season

A partnership has been formed between AMPAL Group and the Fords Youth Association, also known as the Fords Bearcats, for the 2016 football season. The association’s mission is to encourage and increase youth participation in sports through football, cheerleading and basketball – with a strong emphasis on education. The two organizations joined together after the Bearcats held one of their coach’s meetings at the Woodbridge Buffalo Wild Wings^®location and learned of AMPAL Group’s sponsorships of various local youth sports teams.

The Fords Bearcats football and cheer teams were sponsored by AMPAL Group through various fundraising initiatives throughout the year.

Through the partnership, AMPAL Group provides the Fords Bearcats with a monetary donation for uniforms, equipment and upkeep of the football field. BWW also provided signage for the field’s billboard; held an Eat Wings, Raise Funds event for the Bearcats team; attended a pep rally with Blazin’ Performer Certificates for all players and cheerleaders; attended the teams’ awards ceremony; set up the BWW tent at the BeerCatfests & Fish Fry preseason 2016 fundraiser; and plans to sponsor the Bearcats again this upcoming season. The Fords Youth Association relies on sponsors, such as Buffalo Wild Wings, to ensure they can maintain their fee-free sports organization and give local youth the option to play the game they love regardless of their family’s financial situation.

“Woodbridge Buffalo Wild Wings saw a great turnout from the local community for the Bearcats’ Eat Wings, Raise Funds. We now host all of the Bearcats coach’s meetings, and look forward to sponsoring the team again this season!” said Jordan McMeen, AMPAL Group marketing coordinator. “This partnership has been exciting and fun-filled as this is a tight-knit community that supports the businesses that support them.”

The Fords Bearcats’ field sign was sponsored by AMPAL Group, showing BWW’s pride and support for its local youth initiatives.

This partnership was marketed through several methods, including a BWW-branded billboard for the football field and a BWW-branded banner at the entrance to the field. In addition to the signs, AMPAL Group attended multiple games with the BWW tent throughout the season and the BWW logo is even featured on the athletic organization’s website. The Fords Bearcats teams’ end-of-the-season party was also held at AMPAL Group’s Woodbridge, New Jersey, location. All five teams, including the cheerleading squads, came in for lunch with their parents and coaches for this celebratory event.

“AMPAL Group was honored to partner with the Fords Bearcats for their 2016 football season. Buffalo Wild Wings managers and team members from the Woodbridge location loved attending the Bearcats games and events throughout the year to cheer them on. AMPAL Group’s Woodbridge Buffalo Wild Wings looks forward to sponsoring the Bearcats again for their 2017 season!” said Amit Patel, AMPAL Group franchisee.

Couple Makes BWW in Times Square Part of Their Happily Ever After

Jenn Mendez and Lane Stowe capped their special day with a reception at Four M Capital’s New York City location.

“It’s my lifelong dream to meet Kathy Lee Gifford” (said sarcastically) is an unusual pick up line, but for Lane Stowe it helped him meet the woman of his dreams.

On April 2, 2010, Stowe was at Rockefeller Plaza with a colleague hoping to get a glimpse of Gifford, who co-hosts the fourth hour of the TODAY show with Hoda Kotb. After uttering those words, a stranger next to him replied (also sarcastically), “I’m so glad we’re here while you’re realizing your lifelong dream.”

That woman was Jenn Mendez, who was at Rockefeller Plaza while touring New York City with daughter. The duo exchanged numbers and soon began texting back and forth. Texts turned into calls, and three years later, calls turned into “will you marry me?”

While the couple had a lot in common, including the fact that Stowe had once moved to Mendez’s hometown to work, their favorite NFL team was not one of them. Mendez was raised to love the Philadelphia Eagles, but Stowe supported the New York Giants.

With such a strong love of the game, it’s no surprise the couple chose to have one of their wedding receptions at Buffalo Wild Wings^® in Times Square, following a ceremony hosted by Gifford and Kotb live on “TODAY.” The location, owned by franchisee James Bitzonis of Four M Capital, set aside an outdoor patio space for four hours for the roughly 50 people in attendance, and the newlyweds donned their best “I said I do” aprons before digging into B-Dubs^®’ signature wings.

“W/ @ltrainlane post wedding @klgandhoda. Celebrating wedding @BWWings Times Square! Thanks to the outstanding staff!” Mendez tweeted during the reception.

“TODAY” followed up on the couple’s nuptials with pictures and information on the reception at Buffalo Wild Wings, along with media outlets in the Stowes’ hometown picking up the story.

Zellmer, LLC EWRF Event Supports Injured Officer

When Carbondale, Illinois, police officer Trey Harris was shot in the line of duty July 31, Zellmer, LLC’s Carbondale Buffalo Wild Wings^® location decided to step in and assist. After hearing of the shooting, teammates and managers wanted to host an Eat Wings Raise Funds to help the injured officer. BWW reached out and made arrangements.

Once details of the EWRF event were finalized, word-of-mouth spread quickly. Social media and fliers also helped advertise the fundraiser, which was held from open to close Aug. 10. This exposure led to two local TV stations picking up the event.

Zellmer, LLC’s Carbondale location held an Eat Wings Raise Funds event for injured Carbondale, Illinois, police officer Trey Harris. Carbondale Fire Department personnel were among those coming out to show their support for Harris and Buffalo Wild Wings.

Buffalo Wild Wings experienced a huge turnout to assist the “Carbondale Injured Officer’s Fund.” Carbondale Police Department, fire departments, neighboring police stations, many local business owners, loyal guests, BWW team members and their families packed the location to enjoy wings while giving back to one of the community’s own. By saying “I’m here for Trey,” 10 percent of all pre-taxed sales, excluding alcohol, went to support the injured officer.

Harris even made a special appearance to thank BWW and the community for their support. Three men were arrested in connection with the shooting just days before the EWRF event.

“I am extremely proud of efforts the staff at BWW Carbondale put into this event to make it such a success. We continue to enjoy a fantastic relationship with our police department. They’re always there when we need them; it’s important to be there when they need us,” franchisee Bill Zellmer said.

In addition to plenty of positive press and wonderful comments from both guests and staff, the EWRF event generated more than $4,800 in additional sales.

JK&T Wings Locations Set Aside Parking Space for Purple Heart Recipients

JK&T Wings’ Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, Buffalo Wild Wings® installed the company’s first parking space for wounded military veterans.

Though 1,500 miles separate JK&T Wings’ Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and Bossier City, Louisiana, stores, the two Buffalo Wild Wings^® locations are gaining attention for their shared commitment to military personnel. Both restaurants have painted designated purple parking spaces for wounded warriors.

Designated as a handicap space, the spots are purple and set aside for Purple Heart recipients. The Bossier City location features a sign declaring, “Reserved Combat Wounded, Wounded Warriors Family Support,” and is emblazoned with the Purple Heart medal.

Shrewsbury installed the combat-injured veteran space in early May while having the parking lot seal coated. Pioneer Seal Coating brought the idea to Regional Manager Scot Neri, as well as the franchisees, who were more than happy to include the spaces at the location.

“JK&T always is willing to support the troops. The troops put their lives on the line every day to defend us. This is our way of giving back. We also do a military discount every day in the restaurant,” Shrewsbury General Manager Michael Gardner said. “Pioneer Seal Coating came to us, as it was a project they were working on for months, and they decided BWW Shrewsbury would be a great place to start. We were the first business in central Massachusetts to have this done. It is a great honor to be able to give back every day.”

jkt1 After seeing the idea in Shrewsbury, Bossier City’s BWW, located near Barksdale Air Force Base, thought the gesture of gratitude was an appropriate feature to include. The spot was installed Aug. 5 at the Louisiana location and featured on the local TV news a few days later.

“There are a lot of retired service members locally, and it is our way to show our appreciation for them,” said Bossier City General Manager David Helferich. “We jumped on the opportunity as soon as we heard about it. We are looking at doing this in Shreveport, Louisiana, as well, and hopefully, all of our locations jump on board and do this.”

Both BWW locations reported receiving positive feedback from the community. “There have been a number of tables that have pulled me aside to thank us for the spot. They either had veterans or active duty military in their family or they themselves were military,” Gardner said.

Helferich said the purple parking space set a trend with other Bossier City locales, including churches and businesses, which have subsequently added spaces.

Diversified Restaurant Holdings Coordinates Fundraiser for Wounded Officer

Diversified Restaurant Holdings’ 18 Buffalo Wild Wings® in the St. Louis area hosted a fundraising event Aug. 3 for Ballwin, Missouri, police officer Mike Flamion, who was left paralyzed after being shot in an ambush July 8. Each location also reached out to its area police department in a show of support, along with providing food to the agency.

Diversified Restaurant Holdings rallied its St. Louis locations after Ballwin, Missouri, police officer Mike Flamion was shot in an ambush July 8. The shooting left Flamion paralyzed from the neck down.

Coordinated by the DRH Marketing and Operations team, the fundraising event was held Aug. 3 for the course of the day. A fundraising flier was created and deployed to all 18 St. Louis B-Dubs^® locations prior to the fundraiser. In addition to being placed in takeout bags and handed out, employees discussed the fundraiser daily with BWW^® guests.

As a show of support to local law enforcement, all 18 locations connected with their area police department and provided food to the agency, along with inviting them to the fundraising event for Officer Flamion. Although an overall attendance number was not available, countless city officials turned out to support the injured officer.

“On behalf of the entire Buffalo Wild Wings^® team, we are very proud to support the first responders who help serve and protect our local communities every day,” said Diversified Restaurant Holdings, Inc. Director of Operations Tim Garner. “Our Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants throughout the greater St. Louis metropolitan area came together with the community to help support Officer Flamion and his family.”

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