Buffalo's Southwest Cafe Celebrates 16th Anniversary

Buffalo's Southwest Cafe restaurants, owned by Buffalo's Franchise Concepts Inc. (BFCI) of Marietta, Ga., celebrates its 16th anniversary this December. The company will commemorate the milestone by sponsoring two, 16-year-old, Make-A-Wish® children -  "Theron," who suffers from a brain tumor, and "Jamie," who suffers from Neuroblastoma, a cancer of specialized nerve cells.

On Monday, Dec. 16, participating Buffalo's Southwest Cafe restaurants across the Southeast will offer $.16 buffalo wings all day. The company also has pledged 16 percent of all sales on that day to help make the Make-A-Wish teenagers? dreams come true.

Theron, who resides in DeKalb County, wants to travel with his family to Hawaii to see the volcanoes and swim with dolphins. "I want my family to enjoy each other in a magical setting and to forget about all the worries of life back home," the honor student said.

Jamie, who lives in Cherokee County, wants a computer system to talk to her mom via e-mail. "Since my mom lives in Alabama, our long-distance phone calls are getting expensive. If I have a computer, I can e-mail my mom anytime I want to," Jaime said.

"We are grateful to our loyal customers for supporting Buffalo's for 16 years and contributing to our success. And we're honored to donate a percentage of our sales in December to help grant wishes for these brave young people," said Ray Cabana, BFCI president and chief executive officer.

A Wing and a Vision

In 1985, David Hyde and Ralph Perrella, co-founders of BFCI, decided to open a western-themed eatery specializing in the now famous buffalo wing. They called the Restaurant "Buffalo's Cafe and today that idea has expanded into more than 50 Buffalo's Southwest Cafes located throughout the Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and even overseas, serving more than 5 million customers annually.

By 1991 BFCI signed its first franchise partner in Atlanta and since that time has attracted 32 additional franchise partners. System sales reached $25 million by 1995 and exceeded $50 million in 2001. BFCI opened its first Puerto Rico unit in 1998 and in 2001 opened a restaurant in Kuwait.

Last month, the company signed its largest franchise development agreement, with a seven-restaurant plan for Las Vegas.

BFCI's accomplishments have not gone unrecognized by the restaurant industry. In 2000, the company won a "Pacesetter" award from the Atlanta Business Chronicle recognizing the city's 50 fastest growing companies. In January 2002, it was named a "Regional Powerhouse Chain" by Nation's Restaurant News.

About Make-A-Wish

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening illnesses through its wish-granting work. The Foundation's mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities. The organization was founded after a little boy named Chris Greicius realized his wish to become a police officer. Since its beginning 22 years ago, the organization has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, reaching more than 97,000 children worldwide. The Foundation has 78 chapters and 23 international affiliates of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. About Buffalo?s Southwest Cafe.

Buffalo's Southwest Cafe 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.

Based in Marietta, Ga., Buffalo's Southwest Cafe has more than 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.