Buffalo's Southwest Cafe Set to Stampede in Metro Atlanta.

Business Editors

Buffalo's Franchise Concepts Inc., franchisor and owner of the popular Buffalo's Southwest Cafe restaurants, has announced plans for a major expansion in metro-Atlanta.

The expansion includes planned restaurant locations in all or part of the following nine counties: Carroll, Forsyth, Fulton, Heard, Newton, North Fulton, Paulding, Polk and Rockdale. Over the past year in Atlanta, Buffalo's Southwest Cafe has opened new restaurants in the Mall of Georgia, the new Stonecrest Mall in Lithonia and Highway 41 in Acworth.

BFCI is actively interviewing franchise business development partners in these areas for individual and multiple franchise agreements. For more information, call 770-420-1800, extension 216, or visit the company website at www.buffaloscafe.com.

"Franchising is an integral part of our growth strategy as we expand in existing and into new markets across the U.S. We are looking for proven, successful business and restaurant operators who recognize the niche Buffalo's offers and who provide the entrepreneurial talents and depth of experience necessary for the success of our young, growing company," said Ray Cabana, BFCI president and chief executive officer. Cabana believes there is opportunity for another 15 to 20 Buffalo's Southwest Cafes in greater Atlanta based on current market conditions.

Currently, BFCI has 28 franchisees. Paul Dalrymple, an Atlanta franchisee who owns seven Buffalo's Southwest Cafe restaurants, operates one of the most popular restaurants in the Buffalo's system, located in Gwinnett County at Hamilton Mill Road. He says the restaurants' ease of operations, plus return on investment makes the concept attractive to restaurant entrepreneurs.

"Buffalo's is not a complicated restaurant concept, plus I like the freshness of the menu. The restaurants have a targeted, loyal customer base that is diverse and I think the concept has the potential to even further broaden its appeal," Dalrymple said.

"As a franchisee, I've found that the company is still small enough to communicate well with its franchisees. They listen to you and your ideas and treat you like a true partner," he added.

Ben Kelner, who recently opened a restaurant in Acworth, added, "Buffalo's has developed the right formula for a successful restaurant company. They offer an attractive, affordable package to franchisees that can deliver a high sales-to-investment ratio. The concept is simple to execute. And, they have relatively low food costs for the industry which means they spend more dollars on labor to ensure the customers are well served."

Start-up costs for a Buffalo's Southwest Cafe restaurant range between $600,000 to $1.2 million and the initial franchise fee is $35,000. Once a franchise agreement is reached, it typically takes about six months to a year to open, depending on site acquisition, renovation or new construction.

The highlight of the Buffalo's Southwest Cafe menu is its award-winning, world-famous Buffalo-style chicken wings. Other favorites -- all cooked-to-order -- include steaks, fajitas, chili, quesadillas, fish, wraps, burgers and a variety of finger foods. The menu also features homemade soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts. From wooden floors to distressed metal ceilings, customers experience the atmosphere of an old Southwest cafe. Antiques, artifacts and memorabilia are complemented by hundreds of period photographs lining the wooden walls. High-back booths, the primary seating, each sport a different theme: gunslingers, outlaw posters, Indians, lawmen and railroads just to name a few. Overall, the Buffalo's venue helps tell a story of the old Southwest while providing a unique dining experience.

Founded in 1985, Buffalo's Southwest Cafe has approximately 50 restaurants in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio, with new units under construction and a new restaurant planned for Holt, Mich., this September. The company has two units operating in Puerto Rico and plans to continue its aggressive growth, with expansion predominantly in the Southeast, Southwest and Midwest regions. This year, Buffalo's also opened its international unit in Kuwait. Also, in 2002 the company was named a "Regional Powerhouse Chain" by Nation's Restaurant News, an industry trade publication. Buffalo's Franchise Concepts is based in Marietta, Ga. For more information, call 800-45-WINGS (800-459-4647) or visit the Buffalo's Southwest Cafe website at www.buffaloscafe.com.