Buffalo's Cafe Expands Into Alabama With New Prototype Design

Buffalo's Franchise Concepts Inc. (BFCI), based in Marietta, Ga., expands into the Birmingham, Ala., area this week with the opening of its first Buffalo's Cafe in the market.

The 4,800-square-foot Restaurant is the first to feature BFCI's new restaurant prototype design. The restaurant is located at 234 Cahaba Valley Road in Pelham, Ala., and owned and operated by Steve Dubrinsky and his partner, Derrick Ethridge, who have Franchising rights with BFCI for the greater Birmingham area.

The prototype was created to provide Buffalo's Cafe with a consistent image as the company continues to expand into new markets, while enhancing the visual appeal of the southwestern cafe concept. The exterior design features a 35-foot tower with an architectural presentation of the Buffalo's Cafe logo image -- a large buffalo head and wings with a 20-foot wingspan. Exterior colors draw from a desert/canyon palette with terra cotta, sandstone and red. Small turret windows run along the side of the restaurant and stacked stone is used at the base. Landscaping captures the feel of the Old West with desert flowers, cactus and large stones.

The interior design remains true to the original Buffalo's Cafe, with a rustic decor that includes hardwood floors, distressed metal ceilings, American antiques, western and Indian artifacts, memorabilia and hundreds of period photographs lining the wooden walls.

Dubrinsky and Ethridge, whose Buffalo's franchise is called Buffalo's of Alabama LLC, plan to have three Buffalo's Cafe restaurants operating in Birmingham in the future. Dubrinsky also owns a Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurant in Hoover. A Detroit native, he moved to Birmingham in 1983 and opened the first Little Caesar's pizza location in the city in 1984. He built Little Caesar's up to 19 units in Birmingham, as well as one mobile unit, and sold the restaurants to Little Caesar's Enterprises in 1993. He opened his Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurant in 1994.

Dubrinksy, 38, lives in the Mountain Brook area with his wife, Dana, and two children. Ethridge, resides in Alabaster. They are currently evaluating sites for future restaurants and are confident Buffalo's will be very popular in Birmingham.

"We're excited to bring Buffalo's Cafe to Birmingham and to showcase this beautiful new restaurant design. My family and I have long been fans of this concept. The food is outstanding. The menu is priced perfectly for the casual dining segment, and the decor and atmosphere give the restaurant a true southwestern cafe feel. I'm sure Birmingham residents are going to love Buffalo's as much as we do," Dubrinsky said.

The Pelham restaurant seats approximately 240 people and includes a patio and cantina. Operating hours are 11 to midnight Tuesday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday-Monday. The restaurant has drawn a large number of applicants to date, and Dubrinsky and Ethridge expect to hire up to 130 employees. Those interested in employment opportunities should call 205-444-1310.

"Franchising is an integral part of our growth strategy as we expand to new markets across and outside the U.S. We are fortunate to find proven, successful franchise partners like Steve Dubrinsky and Derrick Ethridge, who recognize the niche Buffalo's offers and provide the entrepreneurial talents necessary for the success of our young, growing company," said Ray Cabana, BFCI president and chief executive officer.

In 1999, BFCI achieved approximately $50 million in system sales, up from $42 million the year before. Cabana expects sales to approach $55 million for 2000. Franchising growth was strong as well, with 10 new franchise units opening last year. This year, the company will continue to develop new territory, such as Ohio, where two restaurants are scheduled to open in the next two months.

With its award-winning Buffalo-style chicken wings and a variety of southwestern-flavored menu items - all cooked to order - Buffalo's has built a loyal clientele in all of the markets it serves. The varied menu features Buffalo's award-winning Buffalo-style chicken wings, including a new "Buffalo Bold" barbecue wing, fajitas, salads, steak, shrimp, sandwiches, wraps and specialty hamburgers. Favorite menu choices include Juanita's Fajitas, Sizzling Sirloin Steak, Buffalo Shrimp, Sante Fe Cheesesteak, Chicken Tender Club and a variety of salads. New menu items include a Taquitos appetizer, Country Fried Steak and Pecos River Catfish. Also new is "The Big Round-Up," a complete dinner for big appetites -with a wings appetizer, salad, two entree items, two side dishes and garlic bread - for $12.99. Last year, the company introduced the "Lunch Stampede," a special lunch menu offering a free soft drink with a selection of special lunch entrees starting at $3.99.

Currently, Buffalo's Cafe has more than 45 restaurants in the Southeast, including Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina, with several new units now under construction. The first Buffalo's Cafe in Puerto Rico opened last year. The company, which was founded in 1985, plans to continue its aggressive growth, with expansion predominantly in the Southeast, Southwest and Midwest regions. Last year, Buffalo's signed a development agreement for Indonesia and is scheduled for further development in Puerto Rico later this year.