The SCORE 2024, Issue 4

Learn why consistency and quality are vital to franchisee success.

Consistency and Quality are Key

Consistency and Quality are Key

THE

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F F R A N C H I S E B U S I N E S S S E R V I C E S | 2024 ISSUE 4

Consistency and Quality are Key

Consistency and Quality are Key

Read about how these two simple concepts can

help Buffalo Wild Wings franchisees unlock

longevity and success in their communities.

PAGE 12

Restaurant Trust and Dependability:

The Role of Franchisees

PAGE 30

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FBS Board of Directors

Roz Mallet

Chair

Jenny Beaudoin

Vice Chair

Bobby Pancake

Secretary/Treasurer

Wray Hutchinson

Chairman Emeritus

Brian Carmody

Director

Steve Grube

Director

Mark Jones

Director

Jack Litman

Director

Chris Olexa

Director

Ed Lynn

Director

Larry Podlogar

Director

Christy Williams

Executive Director

FBS Editorial Board

Rachel Jackson

Editor-in-Chief

rachelj@myfbsonline.org

Tyler Ryan

Communications Editor

tylerr@myfbsonline.org

Advertising Sales

FBS Advertising Team

advertising@myfbsonline.org

678-797-5160

Design and Layout

Kristen Thomas

KT Graphic Design

www.kt-graphicdesign.com

Headquarters

1701 Barrett Lakes Blvd. NW

Suite 180

Kennesaw, GA 30144

Phone: 678-797-5161

Fax: 678-797-5171

Franchise Business Services publishes The SCORE.

Any reproduction, in whole or in part, of the

contents of this publication is prohibited without

prior written consent of Franchise Business

Services. All Rights Reserved.

In keeping with our commitment to the

environment, this publication is printed

on certified, environmentally-friendly recycled

paper using eco-friendly inks.

Copyright© 2024

Printed in the U.S.A.

www.myfbsonline.org

ON THE COVER

Learn how to build these relationships through consis-

tency and quality on page 12, as well as by maintaining

customer-franchisee trust and dependability on page 30.

COLUMNS

2

Chair’s Column

DEPARTMENTS

4

FBS Member News

5

Recognitions

5

Event Calendar

6

History Behind the Industry

7

One Topic: 10 Facts

10

Look, Listen, Read

16 Congressional Spotlight: Lisa McClain (R-MI-09)

FEATURES

12 Consistency and Quality Are Key

by Tyler Ryan, FBS communications editor

17 Maximizing Franchise Success: The Key To Reducing Labor Costs

and Liability

contributed by INFINITI HR

18 The Buffalo Wild Wings FoundationSM - Mini Pitch Highlight

contributed by the Buffalo Wild Wings FoundationSM

20 Don’t Overlook Workplace Safety

by Douglas H. Duerr, Elarbee, Thompson, Sapp & Wilson LLP

22 The Three Unbreakable Laws of Customer Loyalty for Franchises

by Jay Baer

24 The Essential Walks Series: Connect Your Essence, Your Life and

Your Work

by Dan Coughlin, The Coughlin Co.

28 What Does “Organized” Mean?

by David Allen, Getting Things Done

30 Restaurant Trust and Dependability: The Role of Franchisees

by Tyler Ryan, FBS communications editor

32 General Liability vs. Umbrella Liability Insurance

contributed by Lockton Cos.

34 A Kitchen Equipment Partner You Can Count On

contributed by Stafford-Smith Inc.

DIRECTORIES

8

Associate Member Listing

36 Advertisers Guide and Editorial Calendar

2024 Issue 4

2024 Issue 4

|

THESCORE

Letter From the Chair

lthough it is sometimes difcult

to accept the realities beyond

our control (infation and other

economic impacts, political impacts

and strategic decisions outside of our

purview), we must take a step back peri-

odically and focus on what we impact.

At the end of every year, it is imperative

that we take a look back and consider the

ways in which we have not only worked

to secure our own economic well-being

as business owners but also how we have

created experiences for our customers

and communities that encourage them to

stay in touch with our sports bars.

As we refect on 2024, we should all

strive to take stock of everything we did

right and everything we can do better

to keep improving our businesses. Loyal

clientele, who will ultimately remain

loyal to establishments that consider their

needs and prioritize their experiences,

are surely one of the cornerstones of our

businesses’ success. Looking forward to

2025, let us consider how we as business

owners and an organization of franchisees

can fnd newer and better ways to thrive

within the Bufalo Wild Wings brand.

Tis edition of Te SCORE considers

the importance of basing one’s business

operations upon a few fundamental

values: exemplary service, mutual trust

with our teams and guests, dependability

and more. We hope that all members of

Franchise Business Services (FBS) can use

this issue to inform how they choose to

approach the next year.

I also encourage members to save

the date for the 2025 FBS Annual

Summit, taking place May 20-23, in

Bonita Springs, Florida! Tis Summit

will provide members and our valued

vendor partners yet another week full of

opportunities for sharing ideas, mingling

with fellow franchisees and fostering

strong business relationships. You

won’t want to miss out on the beautiful

landscape, either; there will be ample

opportunity to enjoy the beach and fnd

moments for fun and relaxation. FBS

strives to provide experiences like the

Summit that remind members just how

benefcial it is to have our community of

franchisees, vendors and industry experts

supporting one another and sharing

best practices. As an organization, we

should all look forward to spending the

next year taking full advantage of what

we have created: a haven for business

owners looking to grow, improve and

establish bonds within the industry. Te

FBS Board of Directors is committed

to improving our impact on all of our

futures, starting with completing a

strategic planning process ... the results

of which we will present at the Summit.

Also, please join me in welcoming

our newest FBS Board Member: Jack

Litman from Munson Restaurants

LLC. Finally, the board has elected

Jenny Beaudoin as vice chair and Bobby

Pancake as secretary/treasurer. I am

grateful for their willingness to serve our

franchise community. For now, I wish

you all a stellar introduction to 2025!

Sincerely,

Roz Mallet

Roz Mallet

FBS Chair

As we move into 2025, it is my

hope that 2024 was filled with

success for all of you and your

Buffalo Wild Wings® businesses.

2024 Issue 4

|

THESCORE

MEMBER NEWS

MPAL Group, founded by CEO

Bipin Patel, proudly joined the

community in celebrating Picatinny

Arsenal workers at their annual commu-

nity picnic, July 11, at location No. 1377

in Rockaway Picatinny, New Jersey. Tis

marked BWW®’s fourth year participating

in the event, reinforcing its appreciation

for the contributions and service these

members have done for our country.

At the picnic, BWW Rockaway

Picatinny set up a tent and table where

they ofered discounted wings and water

to event attendees. Additionally, BWW

seized the occasion to engage with

Arsenal workers by providing them with

special coupons through a spin-to-win

coupon wheel. Each participant had the

chance to win discounts such as $5 of

$25 or six free wings, which added to the

excitement of BWW and the Rockaway

Picatinny event.

Tey also hosted their thrilling

Blazin’ Challenge, where contestants

faced of against BWW’s spiciest wings.

In just 1.5 minutes, a champion emerged,

winning a $100 BWW gift card and a

mini portable grill, perfect for summer

festivities. Other contestants received

themed T-shirts and six free wings.

Te Blazin’ Challenge has become a

beloved tradition at the event, fostering

camaraderie and excitement among

participants and spectators alike. BWW

Rockaway Picatinny cherishes the

opportunity to engage with the Picatinny

Arsenal community in such a fun and

interactive way. It’s events like these that

remind everyone of the importance of

community. BWW Rockaway Picatinny

looks forward to continuing its tradi-

tion of supporting and celebrating the

Picatinny Arsenal community in the

years ahead. S

AMPAL Group Honors Arsenal Workers at Buffalo Wild

Wings® Rockaway Picatinny Community Picnic

n collaboration with the Eatontown

Baseball League, franchisee Bipon

Patel’s company, AMPAL Group, hosted

an exhilarating Blazin’ Challenge at

Bufalo Wild Wings® location No. 1358

at Monmouth Mall in Eatonton, New

Jersey, for league coaches, showcasing

a spirited competition and fostering

community engagement. Te event, held

to spice up the league’s annual Eat Wings

Raise Funds (EWRF) in June, saw six

coaches daringly compete to devour 10

of BWW®’s spiciest traditional wings in

under fve minutes.

Amid cheers from guests and

supporters, each coach tackled the

blazing wings with determination,

creating an electric atmosphere as

spectators rooted for their favorites.

Te winning coach, represented by the

Wingers Team sponsored by BWW

Monmouth, triumphed within just two

minutes, earning 1,000 BWW points

and the pride of having their team’s

photo displayed on the venue’s big

screens for the remainder of the day.

Following the challenge, participants

and attendees enjoyed dinner at BWW

Monmouth, where 20 percent of the

proceeds contributed to the league’s

fundraising eforts. Te event strength-

ened its youth sports and created lasting

memories for families in attendance.

BWW Monmouth looks forward

to working with this league more in the

future and hopes to create more memo-

rable events together. S

Buffalo Wild Wings® Monmouth Hosts Blazin’

Challenge for Eatontown Baseball League Coaches

unson Restaurants LLC, an

Inspire Brands multi-unit

franchise operator with President Jack

Litman at its helm, is growing as the

fast-casual industry prepares for 2025!

On July 1, 2024, Munson added 11

Bufalo Wild Wings® sports bars in

New York and Connecticut, previ-

ously owned by longtime franchisee

RSQ. Additionally, Munson opened

a new Bufalo Wild Wings location

in Shelton, Connecticut, on Dec. 21,

which brings their total of BWW®

locations to 19. Munson is focusing

on remodeling current locations,

such as those in North Haven,

Connecticut, and Staten Island, New

York. More remodels are scheduled

while Munson continues to expand its

sports bar footprint throughout the

Northeast! S

Munson Restaurants LLC Closes Out

2024 with Openings and Remodels

Munson prepares for further expansion

and success in 2025 and beyond.

Picatinny Arsenal workers and community

members enjoy the festivities and lively

competition at BWW Rockaway Picatinny.

Six baseball league coaches take on

the Blazin’ challenge, surrounded by

supportive community members.

THESCORE |

2024 Issue 4

hen When Franchisee Joe

Frederick Sr. frst learned about

Bufalo Wild Wings®, it was because the

brand was listed in a trade publication as

being one of the top ten up-and-coming

restaurant chains at the time. Frederick

had already been in the restaurant business

for nearly 24 years, and after doing some

research and looking for partners, Frederick

signed his frst franchise agreement and

began a journey with the BWW brand

during which he would own and operate

three diferent locations. “Tere have been

a lot of changes in the chain, from the

franchisee standpoint,” said Frederick,

referring to the evolving balance between

bar service and the seated dining experience

in his locations over the past three decades.

His son, Joe Frederick Jr., sustained

ownership of the business as Frederick

prepared for

ofcial retirement

after several

decades in the

business. Having

had his frst

working experi-

ence with BWW

at the age of 14,

his son decided

to return to the

brand as an adult,

worked his way up

to management and has operated the

family’s two current locations for the past

17 years. Frederick ofcially celebrated

his retirement in September, as BWW

Mankato and Hutchinson prepare to

keep operations strong under his son’s

ownership. S

We want to highlight your company’s achievements (employee promotions, new hires,

employee or restaurant anniversaries and sales records). To submit information for

Recognitions, complete the online submission form at www.myfbsonline.org/submissions,

email communications@myfbsonline.org or call 678-797-5160.

RECOGNITIONS

EVENT CALENDAR

FBS is excited to host members

May 20-23, 2025, for the

2025 FBS Annual Summit!

You won’t want to miss out on

the stellar opportunities for

business and relaxation at

this year’s Summit. We’ll be in

gorgeous Bonita Springs, Florida,

surrounded by stunning beaches

and crystal-clear waters for a week

of networking, fun activities and

serenity.

Hear from industry experts, corporate brand

leaders and our valued vendor partners, all at

the 2025 FBS Annual Summit. We look forward

to celebrating our association with you!

2025 FBS Annual Summit

May 20-23, 2025

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa

Bonita Springs, Florida

Joe Frederick Sr., Owner and Founder of BWW®

Mankato, Minnesota, Retires After 30 Years

Joe Frederick Sr.,

founder of BWW

Mankato.

Joe Frederick Sr. and Joe Frederick Jr.

together as the former is recognized by

Schola Foundation in Mankato, Minnesota.

Joe Frederick Sr. is surrounded by family

as he is inducted into the Mankato Softball

Hall of Fame.

2024 Issue 4

|

THESCORE

History Behind the Industry

History Behind the Industry

istory Behind the Industry is a spotlight on events and/or figures that

have shaped or significantly impacted the current state of the restaurant

industry, and how Buffalo Wild Wings® franchisees can utilize such information

for the betterment of their businesses.

YOUR NATIONAL SIGNAGE PARTNER

www.federalheath.com

- Serving up signage at Buffalo Wild Wings since 2001

- Working with 700+ corporate and franchise locations

- Manufacturing and installing signs nationwide

A Niche in the World of Fast-Casual Restaurants

Fast-casual restaurants have certainly thrived over the past

several decades, fueled by evolving consumer preferences, tech-

nological advancements and innovative business models. Known

for their speed, convenience and afordability, fast-casuals have

become an integral part of American dining culture, catering to

busy lifestyles and ofering consistent, satisfying experiences.

Te growth of fast-casuals refects their ability to adapt to

societal changes while maintaining their core appeal: quick,

accessible meals at an afordable price. As trends like sustain-

ability and personalization continue to shape the industry,

fast-casuals are poised to evolve further, ensuring their place as

a cornerstone of the American dining landscape. However, it is

essential to look at the fast-casual restaurant industry as one that

hosts a wide range of environments for customers with diferent

wants and needs. What makes every fast-casual chain succeed

with its customer base is its ability to keep providing the kinds

of products and services that a particular crowd is searching for.

Finding one’s niche within the industry can unlock new avenues

of growth and success for a brand or individual business.

The Industry Today…

As Bufalo Wild Wings franchisees operating locations

decades after the initial emergence of fast-casuals, one can beneft

from considering how the brand’s niche within the industry can be

leveraged to individual business owners’ advantage. When running

a business involved in foodservice, there are many values at the

foundation of everyday operations that are likely to stay consistent

from business to business. BWW® franchisees across the nation

are operating with the intention to serve quality food and create

positive experiences for customers, and this mission becomes even

more specifc when one factors in the particulars of the sports bar

experience and what exactly makes it so appealing to guests.

Sports bars function on the combined experiences of being

served a quality meal, watching/staying in the action of sports and

surrounding oneself with friends, family and community. Franchisees

who own a variety of concepts or are only beginning their journey

within the BWW brand have a unique opportunity to stand out in

the fast-casual restaurant landscape, as the businesses in their hands

have a defned purpose as sports bars: to be the place where people

come to have great food, and an even greater game day. S

THESCORE |

2024 Issue 4

One topic:

10 facts

1

Around 81 percent of consumers need to be able to trust

the brand to buy from them, emphasizing the critical role

trust plays in building brand awareness.

2

On average, 92 percent of consumers trust word-of-mouth

recommendations from friends and family over any other

form of advertising.

3

Consistency is key. Consistent branding across all channels can

increase revenue by up to 23 percent.

4

It pays to give back! Fifty-�ve percent of consumers are

willing to pay extra for products and services from companies

committed to positive social and environmental impact.

5

Te inability to provide a consistent brand experience makes

it harder to build trust and recognition. Establish brand

guidelines! Seventy-seven percent of brands end up with

of-brand content.

6

Transparency is the key to loyalty. An estimated 94 percent

of customers will be loyal to a transparent brand.

7

Live your brand colors! Signature brand color can boost

brand recognition by 80 percent.

8

It only takes seven seconds to make a frst impression on

a customer. Make those seconds count by investing in quality

visuals.

9

Bring back “the old days.” Nostalgia branding is one of the

most popular strategies. Seventy-three percent of

consumers respond positively to nostalgic branding.

10

Love for a brand translates to loyalty. Sixty-four

percent of customers feel emotionally connected to their

favorite brands.

Sources: Entrepreneur, Forbes, Data Axle, Fit Small Business

The Bene�ts of Strong

The Bene�ts of Strong

Brand Awareness

Brand Awareness

2024 Issue 4

|

THESCORE

COMPANY

LEVEL

CONTACT

EMAIL

PHONE

Elevanta Health

Partner

Member Services

memberservices@elevanta.com

678-797-5160

Green Dot Corp./rapid!

Partner

Steve McDonald

smcdonald@rapidpaycard.com

503-206-5144

Hall Financial Advisors

Partner

Kevin Knab

kknab@hallfa.com

866-865-4442

Lockton Afnity

Partner

Reid Robson

elevanta@locktonafnity.com

844-403-4947

Mize CPAs Inc., providing Elevanta Payroll

and Accounting Services

Partner

Stacy Higgins

shiggins@mizecpas.com

800-234-5573

PepsiCo Foodservice

Diamond

Marc Wolfson

marc.wolfson@pepsico.com

904-588-5401

INFINITI HR

Emerald

Fernando Serrano

fernando.serrano@infnitihr.com

623-455-6234

Retail Tech Inc.

Emerald

Shannon Johnson

sjohnson@retailtechinc.com

952-224-4327

Sazerac

Emerald

Candida Banti

cbanti@sazerac.com

415-302-0202

McLane Foodservice Distribution

Sapphire

Lynn Modisette

lynn.modisette@mclanefs.com

972-364-2050

Ecolab

Sapphire

Paul Martin

paul.martin@ecolab.com

612-750-0759

Foster Poultry Farms

Sapphire

Tracey Spinelli

tracey.spinelli@fosterfarms.com

209-917-2962

Georges Inc.

Sapphire

Adam Grifs

adam.grifs@georgesinc.com

479-231-6998

Staford-Smith Inc.

Sapphire

Don Smith

dsmith@stafordsmith.com

517-749-0976

Budderfy

Pearl

Mike Leatherwood

mike.leatherwood@budderfy.com

786-442-5065

Federal Heath

Pearl

Boyd Hippenstiel

bhippenstiel@federalheath.com

813-244-5854

Heineken

Pearl

Chuck Mathison

cmathison@heinekenusa.com

770-377-6959

Instant Financial

Pearl

Doug Denny

doug.denny@instant.co

689-777-8150

New Belgium Brewing/Bell’s Brewery

Pearl

Kari Gladney

kgladney@newbelgium.com

419-280-6015

EverPass Media

Pearl

Scott Axonovitz

scott@upshow.tv

419-261-1802

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Pearl

Nick Bunce

nick@sierranevada.com

520-405-1727

Te Wasserstrom Co.

Pearl

Matt Brown

mattbrown@wasserstrom.com

614-737-8314

Alliance HCM

Assoc. Mbr.

Jennifer Gordon

jgordon@alliancehcm.com

214-418-7351

American Beverage Marketers

Assoc. Mbr.

Beth Borkosky

bborkosky@abmcocktails.com

601-383-8338

Anheuser-Busch

Assoc. Mbr.

William Poole

william.poolejr@anheuser-busch.com

919-815-3927

Ascentium Capital

Assoc. Mbr.

Jesse Kells

jessekells@ascentiumcapital.com

281-883-5064

Audio Visual Design & Install

Assoc. Mbr.

Jason Abbott

jrabbott@avdiusa.com

260-615-8995

Bixolon

Assoc. Mbr.

Ann Klein

aklein@bixolonusa.com

651-270-0700

Boston Beer Co.

Assoc. Mbr.

Gary Fragle

gary.fragle@bostonbeer.com

770-402-9850

Brew Dog

Assoc. Mbr.

Jef Diem

jef.diem@brewdog.com

317-506-9232

Brown-Forman Corp.

Assoc. Mbr.

Dennis Greenwood

dennis_greenwood@b-f.com

678-602-5996

C&T Design and Equipment

Assoc. Mbr.

James Bales

jbales@c-tdesign.com

317-654-3721

CloudKitchens

Assoc. Mbr.

Asheel Parikh

asheel.parikh@cloudkitchens.com

714-390-2116

Craft Standard Draft Cocktails

Assoc. Mbr.

Michael Vacek

mvacek@craftstandard.com

515-505-5650

Dallas Group (Magnesol)

Assoc. Mbr.

Sally Ruiz-Diaz

sruizdiaz@dallasgrp.com

908-892-6695

Daltile

Assoc. Mbr.

Terrie Miller

terrie.miller@daltile.com

216-409-3153

DRAS Cases

Assoc. Mbr.

Josh Flattum

josh@drascases.com

507-402-4812

First Horizon Restaurant Finance

Assoc. Mbr.

Tomas Hung

thung@frsthorizon.com

310-490-8534

First In Services

Assoc. Mbr.

Jon McKee

jm@thefrstinservices.com

470-443-8859

Founders Brewing Co.

Assoc. Mbr.

Brendan Romero

romerob@foundersbrewing.com

202-486-6455

Global Payments

Assoc. Mbr.

Marene Harof

marene.harof@globalpay.com

678-642-8311

ITW Food Equipment Group

Assoc. Mbr.

Matthew Alexander

matthew.alexander@itwfeg.com

937-681-2718

Lagunitas Brewing

Assoc. Mbr.

Tommy Hunter

tommy.hunter@lagunitas.com

847-363-0639

LeVecke

Assoc. Mbr.

Eric Lake

elake@levecke.net

972-839-7179

LG Electronics

Assoc. Mbr.

David Boerlin

david.boerlin@lge.com

760-415-7797

Loop AI

Assoc. Mbr.

Greg Stone

greg@tryloop.ai

620-720-0908

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