Buffalo Wild Wings opening new format in Texas

October 26th - Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. is introducing a new restaurant design next week in Irving, Texas. The restaurant redo took two years to complete and is the first major overhaul in the company's 7-year history. "We are thrilled to finally be able to unveil our new restaurant design to the public," said Kathy Benning, senior vice president of marketing and brand development for St. Louis Park, MN -based Buffalo Wild Wings. The design also will be used for a store opening in November in Alpharetta, Ga., and will be incorporated into all new restaurants beginning in 2005. A major element of the new design is the exterior architecture that features a prominent tower above the restaurant roof that is yellow and black with a black-and-white checkerboard. The new distinct building shape is intended to serve as a billboard. "We want it to be obvious from miles away that this is a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, whether or not you can see the actual sign," said Benning. The Irving restaurant is 6,000 square feet, with 240 seats indoors and 36 seats on the patio. There is also a new lounge area located between the bar and the family-orientated dining sections. The restaurant has more than 50 TV. It includes a separate entrance and parking area for the take-out customers. The Irving restaurant also happens to be the 100th company-owned store. There are 294 total restaurants in 30 states, including franchises. Buffalo Wild Wings was founded in 1982 and went public in 2003. The company estimates revenue for 2004 will be about $170 million.