Buffalo's Southwest Cafe Rolls the Dice in Vegas

Buffalo's Franchise Concepts Inc. (BFCI), franchisor of Buffalo's Southwest Cafe restaurants, has signed its largest franchise development agreement in the company's 16-year history. The agreement calls for seven restaurants in Las Vegas over the next five to seven years. It was signed with Works for Me Inc., owned by Drew Alexander and Shelli Lang.

Alexander and Lang are currently identifying possible locations for the first Restaurant and expect to break ground by early 2003. The second restaurant will open by 2005 and the remaining five over the following five years. Alexander expects the first location will be approximately 7,000 square foot in size.

Alexander plans to have slot machines in each of the restaurants, located within the bar area -- a feature that is somewhat unusual. Only three other Las Vegas restaurants currently feature slot machines, according to him.

Alexander, originally from Phillips, Texas, and currently residing in Amarillo, was in the funeral industry for 30 years before becoming the largest franchisee for Hair Club for Men in the United States, with locations and territories in seven states. He is also president of Exxeat Aviation Inc., an aircraft sales company, and Servitus Management Company Inc., a real estate management company.

Lang has been in partnership with Alexander for nine years and was co-owner and director of operations of their Hair Club for Men franchise. A native of South Dakota, she currently lives in Las Vegas and owns All Tune and Lube with her husband.

"This development agreement is very important for our company as it marks our expansion in the western region of the U.S.," said Ray Cabana, BFCI president and CEO. "Drew and Shelli are experienced business operators with an excellent track record. They are a strong addition to our franchise team."

"We are especially appreciative to our franchise administrator, Teri Teague, who was instrumental in putting this development package together," Cabana added.

Buffalo's Southwest Cafe, named a "Regional Powerhouse Chain" in 2002 by Nation's Restaurant News, offers an award-winning menu that includes its world-famous Buffalo-style chicken wings in several taste varieties. Other favorites -- all cooked-to-order -- include steaks, ribs, fajitas, chili, quesadillas, catfish, wraps, burgers and a variety of appetizers. The menu also has homemade soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts. Each Buffalo?s Southwest Cafe helps tells the story of the Old Southwest while providing a unique dining experience. With wooden floors and distressed metal ceilings, the restaurants also feature antiques, artifacts, western memorabilia and hundreds of period photographs lining rustic wooden walls. High-back booths, the primary seating, each sport a different theme such as gunslingers, outlaw posters, Indians, lawmen and railroads.

Founded in 1985, Buffalo's Southwest Cafe has approximately 50 restaurants in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio, with new units under construction. 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. The company is based in Marietta, Ga.