Franchisee Association of Buffalo Wild Wings Supports Arby’s Restaurant Group Acquisition

Franchisee Board Shares Encouraging Sentiment Following $2.9B Deal


KENNESAW, Ga., Dec. 04, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Franchise Business Services (FBS), the association representing Buffalo Wild Wings® (NASDAQ:BWLD) franchisees, announced today its endorsement of Arby’s Restaurant Group’s purchase of Buffalo Wild Wings. Arby’s Restaurant Group Inc. agreed to buy Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. for $157 per share, and the merger is expected to close in the first quarter of next year. Arby’s CEO Paul Brown will be the CEO of the parent company to both restaurant chains.

“Buffalo Wild Wings is a major player in the casual dining sector, leading the segment in many performance indicators,” said Wray Hutchinson, Chairman of the FBS Board of Directors and an owner of 65 Buffalo Wild Wings franchises himself. “We’ve been aware of Brown’s hands-on leadership style for some time, and we’re looking forward to continuing to move the brand forward under his leadership.”

FBS franchisee-owned locations, accounting for half of the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants in the United States, are excited to extend their support to the new leadership following a year in which the FBS Board worked closely with management during a year of transition. Buffalo Wild Wings will continue to operate as an independent brand.

“This transaction demonstrates Buffalo Wild Wings’ strong stance in the casual-dining arena,” said Mark Jones, FBS Vice Chairman. “FBS is proud to join an already highly recognized restaurant company, and more than anything, our franchisees are optimistic about the opportunities available within the multi-brand restaurant company.”

“The casual-dining industry is evolving,” said Hutchinson. “Franchisees across the country are committed to ensuring consumers continue to receive the same distinctive quality they’ve come to expect from Buffalo Wild Wings, and this deal will only strengthen that commitment.”

ABOUT FRANCHISE BUSINESS SERVICES
Formed more than 15 years ago, the Metro Atlanta-based Franchise Business Services (FBS) is an organization that serves its franchisee community of Buffalo Wild Wings® by focusing on providing education and trainingadvocacy and member services.

The vision of FBS is to foster a spirit of mutual cooperation and teamwork among its board, members and Buffalo Wild Wings corporate, consistent with the protection and preservation of the rights of independent franchisees to control their destiny and thereby ensure their survival and future economic success.

To learn more about FBS, visit www.myfbsonline.org. For media inquiries please contact Christy Williams, FBS Executive Director, at 678-797-5160 or christyw@myfbsonline.org or Sarah Weston, The Wilbert Group Vice President, at 334.415.9795 or SWeston@TheWilbertGroup.com.