Franchise Deep Dive: Buffalo's Cafe Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

Buffalo's Cafe began in 1985 as a single location in Roswell, Georgia. Founders David Hyde and Ralph Perella began franchising the restaurant under the name Buffalo's Franchise Concepts Inc. (BFCI) in 1991. By 1998, the restaurant had 40 locations. In 2001, the chain was renamed Buffalo's Southwest Cafe.

In 2006, the company launched a fast casual version of the restaurant known as Buffalo's Express. Later that year, the owners sold BFCI to a man by the name of Drew Alexander and his business partner Shelli Lang. In 2011, the chain was renamed Buffalo's Cafe and was sold to Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc., which also owned restaurant brand Fatburger. Fog Cutter Capital Group later opened several co-branded Fatburger/Buffalo's Express locations. In 2017, ownership of Buffalo's Cafe was transferred to FAT Brands, a subsidiary of Fog Cutter Capital Group.

Today, there are around 13 franchised units and over 100 co-branded Buffalo’s Express units.

Prospective franchisees have the choice of two distinct models: the full-service Buffalo's Cafe and the fast-casual Buffalo's Express. Co-branded locations with Fatburger and Buffalo's Express are also available. The ideal space for a franchise location typically ranges from 1,700 to 3,500 square feet, but this may vary based on factors such as climate, space availability, customer demographics, economic conditions and layout. Alternative models, like food court or kiosk locations, may be as compact as 800 to 1,000 square feet.

FAT Brands ensures franchise owners receive comprehensive support and training. The program encompasses marketing strategies, site selection guidance, restaurant management techniques, safety and health protocols, and local store marketing. Each franchisee is provided with an operations manual containing all the necessary information for running the business efficiently. Support and training are not limited by time, lasting the entire duration of the franchise agreement.

Earnings for Buffalo’s Cafe franchise owners are not publicly available.

The initial investment ranges from $491,500-$1,464,000, according to the International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG). Additionally there is a cash requirement of $500K and a net worth requirement of $1.5 million.