Buffalo Wild Wings is not in growth mode—at least not its traditional casual-dining concept.
The full-service giant ended 2025 with 1,178 U.S. restaurants, down a net of five locations year-over-year. It shuttered 16 company restaurants and opened 11 franchised outlets.
That’s after losing two units in 2024 and four in 2023. In fact, Buffalo Wild Wings hasn’t seen positive net growth since 2018 when it opened a net of eight locations.
READ MORE: Inspire Kicks BWW GO’s Expansion Into Another Gear
The year-end 2025 count comprises 629 company-owned units and 549 franchised locations.
Among 532 franchised restaurants (discounting 15 that did not operate for the full year and two that were closed for extended periods in 2025), AUV was $3.57 million, about a 0.19 percent improvement year-over-year. The best-performing store earned $8.13 million, and the lowest-performing unit generated $1.35 million.
According to its FDD, Buffalo Wild Wings projects 16 franchise openings in 2026 and no company-owned debuts. Those openings are expected to happen in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, Oregon, South Carolina, and Texas.
Although the chain’s size has decreased, Buffalo Wild Wings has done its best to remain culturally relevant. The brand recently introduced a new “Espresso Proteini” drink, worked with singer T-Pain to develop a new anthem, and placed marketing weight behind its Pick 6 value platform.
Meanwhile, Buffalo Wild Wings GO—the chain’s QSR spinoff—opened a net of 79 restaurants in 2025, a new record for the concept. It ended the year with 219 stores, 194 of which were franchised and 25 company-owned. The brand also opened a net of 61 units in 2024 and a net of 38 units in 2023. BWW GO plans to open 75 franchised outlets this year.
Among 88 franchised restaurants open for the full fiscal 2025, AUV was $928,702. The highest mark was $2.34 million and the lowest was $363,431.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a BWW GO Restaurant franchise ranges from $375,845–$919,500 compared to $2.464 million to $4.9 million for a traditional Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant.
Inspire Brands, parent of Buffalo Wild Wings, claimed previously to have commitments for nearly 600 BWW GO stores (on top of the first 100 it opened), with more than 85 percent coming from existing Inspire franchisees. The company directs Sonic Drive-In, Jimmy John’s, and Arby’s alongside Dunkin’ and Baskin.
