Buffalo Wild Wings CEO hits back at activist investor and blames chain's problems on millennials

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Kate Taylor - Business Insider


http://i.imgur.com/0HaOncO.jpg

As Buffalo Wild Wings continues its power struggle with the activist investor Marcato Capital, CEO Sally Smith says the problem isn't the chain — it's the industry.

"Casual-dining restaurants face a uniquely challenging market today," Smith wrote in a letter to shareholders on Tuesday.

Smith outlined three of the biggest problems plaguing restaurants, and especially casual-dining chains, in 2017: changing customer tastes, slowing mall traffic, and declining sports viewership.

"Millennial consumers are more attracted than their elders to cooking at home, ordering delivery from restaurants and eating quickly, in fast-casual or quick-serve restaurants," Smith wrote. "Mall traffic has slowed. And, surprisingly, television viewership of sporting events (important for us, especially) is down."

The letter attempted to persuade shareholders to vote for board members nominated by Buffalo Wild Wings and not by Marcato, which has been battling for control of Buffalo Wild Wings' board since August, arguing that leadership at the wings-and-beer chain is misguided and lacking in experience.

Buffalo Wild Wings certainly isn't the only casual-dining chain struggling to keep up in 2017. Brands such as TGI Fridays, Ruby Tuesday, and Applebee's have faced sales slumps and dozens of restaurant closures.

"It's tough to find one [casual-dining chain] that's doing alright," Wedbush analyst Colin Radke told Business Insider in March.

[Muddy]

I like ol' Buffalo wild wings...

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Me too, I think they have good wings and it's a great place to get together with friends and watch the game.

[Muddy]

My 18 year old brought home some 'boneless wings' yesterday.. I drowned them in chunky blue cheese and pounded them.. :lol:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

"Boneless" wings are an abomination :hand:

[Muddy]

Hey I didnt buy them.. But bring them home after I have gotten off a hard days work and I WILL POUND THEM.. :lol:

[Goofy]

I guess "pound them" has a different meaning over there :lol:

[Muddy]

Its all about the subject.. :lol:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

http://i.imgur.com/clXZdVQ.jpg

[Muddy]

She had just gotten the classic wing sauce (hot) so they were about as good as you could make a boneless wing I think..

[Muddy]

I like parmesan garlic and desert heat.. Im sure the others are good.. I just get lazy..

[Teh One Who Knocks]

I tried the Blazin' sauce once....never doing that again :lol:

[Muddy]

I see they stepped that one up with the ghost pepper.. Damn! Thats bold for a chain..

[Teh One Who Knocks]

I haven't tried all of them, but every different sauce I've had there has been really good. I like the Mango Habanero and the Caribbean Jerk

[Muddy]

I do wish they would leave the flapper on the wing.. It makes for a great handle..

[RBP]

I guess "pound them" has a different meaning over there :lol:

:lol: And I don't want to know what "drowned them in chunky blue cheese" means, but he should probably have that checked.

[Muddy]

I guess "pound them" has a different meaning over there :lol:


:lol: And I don't want to know what "drowned them in chunky blue cheese" means, but he should probably have that checked.

Guys.. What is that comedy act where no one can say anything without the guys turning everything sexual? It may be a cartoon..? Not Beavis and Butthead, but similar.. I cant place it..

[PorkChopSandwiches]

Not really a fan, all the places they list as struggling are struggling because the food is garbage

[Muddy]

You dont like wings?

[PorkChopSandwiches]

I love wings, I just dont care much at all for BWW

[Muddy]

They must be different in your area..

[PorkChopSandwiches]

Its a chain so doubtful.

[Muddy]

What don't you like about it? The wings? The sports television? The beer? Did someone try and touch you in there?

[Teh One Who Knocks]

What don't you like about it? The wings? The sports television? The beer? Did someone try and touch you in there?

:lmao:

[PorkChopSandwiches]

What don't you like about it? The wings? The sports television? The beer? Did someone try and touch you in there?

:lol: The food, I said all those chains are struggling since the food is garbage. There are too many options that offer good food that people aren't going to these places to have something that is decent at best

[Muddy]

:lol: The food, I said all those chains are struggling since the food is garbage. There are too many options that offer good food that people aren't going to these places to have something that is decent at best

I really dont understand.. Their wings are huge, non-breaded, and their sauces are vibrant... I'd really like to see what you think is deemed good. :lol:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

I really dont understand.. Their wings are huge, non-breaded, and their sauces are vibrant... I'd really like to see what you think is deemed good. :lol:

http://i.imgur.com/KkEGkA0l.jpg

[PorkChopSandwiches]

I really dont understand.. Their wings are huge, non-breaded, and their sauces are vibrant... I'd really like to see what you think is deemed good. :lol:

They are soggy IMO I liked them properly fried

[Muddy]

http://i.imgur.com/pvOGzp9.jpg

[Muddy]

They are soggy IMO I liked them properly fried

You got a bad cook, Vato.. Now try them again. or risk my WRATH!! Aghhhhhh!!! :x

[PorkChopSandwiches]

:lol:

We make them at home from scratch

[Teh One Who Knocks]

:lol:

We make them at home from scratch

Do you raise your own chickens? :-s

[PorkChopSandwiches]

Of course

[Muddy]

Oh my god, Porky... Listen.. You come here and first we go to BW3's... :lol:

[Pony]

Of course

Boneless?

[deebakes]

Oh my god, Porky... Listen.. You come here and first we go to BW3's... :lol:

why is it bw3's if it is buffalo wild wings? :?

[deebakes]

also, dammit godfather :x

[Godfather]

"Millennial consumers are more attracted than their elders to cooking at home, ordering delivery from restaurants and eating quickly, in fast-casual or quick-serve restaurants," Smith wrote.


Damn Millennials ruining timeless Americana like Buffalo Wild and Applebees, in favor of home cooking and local shops. Won't find no good 'ol fashioned Baby Boomer in some sissy ma' and pa' stand :mad:


These chains spent decades choking out locally owned, independent shops.... now we pity them and their re-heated microwave meals? This CEO almost seems like he feels entitled to our money, without impressing anyone.

[deebakes]

they have spinach artichoke flatbreads :shrug:

[deebakes]

bwaha, i bet this has never been ordered:

GARDEN CRASHER | 1310 CAL
This crowd pleasing sharable features warm pita chips with hummus and tzatziki sauce, served with kalamata olives, fresh carrots, celery, red peppers and cucumbers.

[Godfather]

What casual dining restaurant doesn't have flatbreads these days :lol: It's just an excuse to sell you a smaller pizza with cilantro on top, for the same price as a real pizza anywhere else.

[deebakes]

i wouldn't think they would keep something on the menu that doesn't get ordered :lol:

[Godfather]

Well Kobe Beef sliders and kale salads are on menus too, that doesn't mean they're not fucking stupid :lol:

[RBP]

Well Kobe Beef sliders and kale salads are on menus too, that doesn't mean they're not fucking stupid :lol:

Millennial, and white cis-gendered male. You are the lowest form of scum.

[Godfather]

Kobe is black though :-k

[Muddy]

:lol:

[RBP]

Kobe is black though :-k

So typical to use the "I have a black friend" line. :hand:

[Teh One Who Knocks]

Damn Millennials ruining timeless Americana like Buffalo Wild and Applebees, in favor of home cooking and local shops. Won't find no good 'ol fashioned Baby Boomer in some sissy ma' and pa' stand :mad:


These chains spent decades choking out locally owned, independent shops.... now we pity them and their re-heated microwave meals? This CEO almost seems like he feels entitled to our money, without impressing anyone.

:snapout:

It's a place to go have beers and wings with the guys while you watch the game on the big screen, not a casual family restaurant (although they do have a regular restaurant area)