Buffalo Wild Wings is trying to get in on the fast-casual dining trend.
The eatery known for its wings and sports atmosphere is opening two restaurants called B-Dubs Express in Minneapolis this summer that will focus on take-out and delivery. The smaller locations, located in Edina and Hopkins, will have seating for 35 to 50 guests, and still have the sports-bar atmosphere.
The smaller restaurants will still offer its traditional and boneless wings, as well as chicken tenders, mac and cheese, burgers, salads and other items. They will also still serve draft and bottled beer and wine. Guests can either dine in, take out or have food delivered through a partnership Buffalo Wild Wings set up with DoorDash.
“These first two locations in Minnesota will provide a great opportunity for us to test an alternative format and gain learnings as we continue to look for ways to meet the changing needs of today’s consumers,” said Todd Kronebusch, vice president of Market Development for Buffalo Wild Wings, in a statement.
The decision to create these new locations came after the company noticed more people were ordering take-out, MarketWatch reported. “To an extent, you compete with the couch,” Jim Schmidt, Buffalo Wild Wings’ chief operating officer, told MarketWatch. “A lot of things happen at home, more than they used to.”
A number of restaurants including McDonald’s, Olive Garden and Chili’s have expanded their delivery service options recently as they compete with meal-delivery service companies.
