Buffalo's Cafe

Buffalo's Cafe is an American restaurant chain known for its Buffalo-style chicken wings. Buffalo's Cafe began in 1985, as a single restaurant in Roswell, Georgia. In 1991, founders David Hyde and Ralph Perella began franchising the restaurant under the name Buffalo's Franchise Concepts Inc. (BFCI) The company had 40 locations by 1998. In 2001, the chain was renamed Buffalo's Southwest Cafe following the introduction of southwestern food. A location in Kuwait opened at the end of that year.

In 2006, the company launched a fast casual restaurant known as Buffalo's Express. Later that year, Perella sold BFCI to Texas native Drew Alexander and his business partner Shelli Lang, a Las Vegas resident. In 2011, the chain had been renamed Buffalo's Cafe, and was sold to Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc., which also owned Fatburger. Fog Cutter Capital Group subsequently opened several co-branded Fatburger/Buffalo's Express locations. In 2017, ownership of the chain was transferred to FAT Brands, a subsidiary of Fog Cutter Capital Group. The chain has locations in North America and Asia.

History

Buffalo's Cafe (1985–2001)

Buffalo's Southwest Cafe (2001–2011)

In May 2001, the Buffalo's Cafe name was changed to Buffalo's Southwest Cafe to reflect new southwestern food items added to the menu, while retaining Buffalo wings.[2][12] Restaurant facilities were also updated to include a new design by Perella.[2] The company opened a restaurant in Kuwait, in December 2001.[10]

In 2003, the company expanded to Indiana.[13] At the end of 2003, the company announced plans to open its first Texas location in late 2004, in Houston. Texas was a major component of the company's expansion plan, and several sites in northwestern Houston were being evaluated.[14] During 2006, the company launched Buffalo's Express, a fast casual restaurant concept.[15] The company also began construction on a restaurant location in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[16]

During 2006, the company also planned to add two new Nevada locations, in Pahrump[17][18] and Ely.[19] The Pahrump location was proposed by Texas native Drew Alexander, along with business partner and Las Vegas resident Shelli Lang.[17][15] The pair owned locations in Las Vegas and Mesquite, Nevada, and had been partners for 14 years, previously as franchisees for Hair Club for Men.[15] Alexander became involved in the company three years earlier when he purchased a franchise territory in Nevada.[16]

In December 2006, Perella sold BFCI to Alexander and Lang. Under the new ownership, Alexander would become company president and chief operating officer; Lang would serve as vice president, secretary, and treasurer; and Perella would become a consultant. The sale included the new Buffalo's Express concept, which was to be expanded. The company would remain based in Marietta, while opening sales offices in Las Vegas. At the time, the chain had 38 restaurants, located in 10 states, Puerto Rico, and Kuwait; 34 locations were franchised and the other 4 were company-owned and located in Georgia.[15][16][20][21] Because of the Great Recession, the company reduced some of its expansion plans.[22]

industry	Restaurants
former name	Buffalo's Southwest Cafe (2001–2011)
founded	October 26, 1985 in Roswell, Georgia, United States
founders	David Hyde and Ralph Perella
hq location city	Los Angeles, California (FAT Brands Inc.)
areas served	Asia North America
key people	Shaun Curtis (chief operating officer)‡R1R‡
parent	FAT Brands
website	https://buffalos.com/

History

Buffalo's Cafe (1985–2001)

Buffalo's Southwest Cafe (2001–2011)

Buffalo's Cafe (2011–present)

Buffalo's Sinkhole

External links

References