Associate Editor
Buffalo Wild Wings is coming to Cleveland.
It is opening its 800th store right here.
And the first 100 customers through its doors Monday will receive free wings for one year.
Most folks love the wings so much, at previous Monday openings, some fans have camped out in line in front of the story as early as the Saturday before, with as many as 75 to 100 having camped out previously. More typically, people start arriving around 5 p.m. the Sunday before, but definitely by 7 a.m. on Monday.
Since Buffalo Wild Wings has had experience with these folks waiting in line for hours, the restaurant knows just what to do. Buffalo Wild Wings staff will be on hand to greet those waiting, to talk, play games, etc. Customers who are familiar with the event have even brought their own TVs and X-Boxes and have their own camp out.
“All just for the excitement of going through our doors first. Our brand is for the sports fan and Cleveland is a great sports town,” said Randy Groover, regional marketing manager from Buffalo Wild Wings in Atlanta. “And where there are sports people, that’s where we’ll be.”
“There are great athletic teams all throughout the area,” Groover said.
The sports-oriented restaurant will be opening its doors to its 800th restaurant at 11 a.m. Monday (Oct. 31) right here in Cleveland. It is 5,800 square feet in size and offers 60 high-def TVs for guests.
“Whenever there is a game on, we are the place to watch it,” Groover said. Buffalo Wild Wings carries all UFC events, without a cover charge, and also the All-Sports Package by Direct TV. “If it’s on TV, we’ve got it.”
In fact, the seating is arranged so that at least four TVs can be viewed from every location.
“We’ll just open the doors and let the party begin,” Groover said. “We’re just going to have fun.”
But its also serious business when the company just hiring 140 new employees to staff its latest venue.
Buffalo Wild Wings is an international company, with three restaurants currently in Canada and more being planned there. It is known for its New York Buffalo wings which are hand-spun and available with 14 signature sauces, from mild to blazin’, as well as four dry rubs.
However, Buffalo Wild Wings also has a full-range menu, and specialty offerings, such as Wing Tuesdays and Boneless Thursdays.
“We’re expanding the brand across the waters into Europe as well,” Groover said.
The ribbon cutting ceremony, however, will be held a week later at 10 a.m. on Monday (Nov. 7).
