FranchiseVerdict
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A40/100FDD 2026

Buffalo Wild Wings Sports Bar — Litigation & Risk

Food & Beverage - Full Service · FDD Items 3, 4 & 5

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Moderate — Review

3 cases disclosed in FDD Items 3 and 4.

Source: FDD Items 3–5

FDD Items 3 & 4

Litigation Metrics

Cases disclosed
3
Total from FDD Items 3 and 4
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
—
Franchisor or officer bankruptcy
Overall risk score
40 / 100
FranchiseVerdict composite
Rating
STRONG
STRONG / MODERATE / CAUTION / AVOID

7(a) FOIA data · FY2020–present

SBA Loan Performance

Aggregated from public SBA 7(a) loan disclosures. Default rate is the share of loans that were charged off or settled for less than the full balance.

Total 7(a) loans
53
Government-backed loans issued
Default rate
0.0%
vs <3% typical · system-wide
5-yr default rate
—
Defaults
0 loans
Loans charged off or defaulted

FDD Items 5, 6 & 17 — what you give up

Contract Risk Indicators

Mandatory arbitration
Not required
You retain the right to sue in court
Jury trial waiver
Waived
You give up the right to a jury trial
Non-compete
2 yrs
Post-termination restriction on similar businesses
Franchisor can compete
Yes
Franchisor can open competing locations in or near your territory
Right of first refusal
Yes
Franchisor can match any purchase offer when you try to sell
Governing law
Georgia
State whose law governs disputes — relevant if you're not based there

What drove the 40/100 rating

Risk Score Breakdown

  1. 01HIGHPending litigation (Halim) over core product marketing ('boneless wings') creates brand/legal exposure and potential operational/menu changes
  2. 02MINORNo Item 19 (net income) disclosure prevents validation of 3.57M avg revenue translating to actual franchisee profitability
  3. 03MINORMinimal unit growth (2.0% YoY) on 1,178 units suggests market saturation and weak franchisee demand despite 20-year terms
  4. 04MINORMultiple concluded class actions (Wheeldon, Pittman) indicate history of customer/franchisee disputes over fees and transparency
  5. 05MINORHigh investment range ($2.46M–$4.9M) requires strong ROI proof, but lack of income data makes breakeven/payback period unverifiable

Severity inferred from FDD text — not a regulatory or legal classification

Litigation data from FDD Items 3, 4, and 5. SBA data from public 7(a) FOIA records (FY2020–present). Not legal advice — consult a franchise attorney before signing any franchise agreement.