Buffalo Wild Wings Trademarks
Please note: Gerben IP does not represent Buffalo Wild Wings. This page is provided for informational purposes and reflects information available in public USPTO records.
September 21, 2023
Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. is the owner, operator, and franchisor of restaurants that sell various menu items. The signature offering is its Buffalo, New York-style chicken wings spun in any of its four signature seasonings and 14 signature sauces.
The restaurants are also known for their unique concept, creating an atmosphere using a multimedia system, an open layout, and a full bar that appeals to families and sports fans. Restaurant guests can watch sports events or other programs on its projection screens and approximately 50 additional televisions.
Let’s dive into this company’s history, concept, and trademarks.
Buffalo Wild Wings History
Buffalo Wild Wings was founded in 1982 by Jim Disbrow and Scott Lowery, two longtime friends. Disbrow was a Kentucky native but had moved to Cincinnati at age 11 to live with Scott’s parents, David and Rita Lowery, who were Disbrow’s ice skating coaches.
David and Rita would later become Jim’s legal guardians, and their son, Scott, who was ten years younger than Jim, grew up regarding him as his elder brother.
Disbrow was very talented at skating and was named alternate to the 1968 U.S. Olympic skating team. He would later tour with the show Holiday on Ice.
In 1974, Jim moved to Buffalo, New York, where he first experienced the spicy local version of barbecued chicken wings, originally from Anchor Bar.
In 1981, Jim was judging a figure skating competition at Kent State University, Ohio, when he and Scott decided to get themselves some Buffalo-style chicken wings, however, the pair couldn’t find any. That’s when they first got the idea to start their restaurant.
The first location for their restaurant was in Columbus, the home of Ohio State University. The duo figured that the large student population would favor the rapid growth of the business.
In 1982, Buffalo Wild Wings and Weck was set up in an empty storeroom near the campus. The term “Weck” in the restaurant’s original name was in reference to kimmelweck, a German roll covered with kosher salt and caraway seeds that is popular in upstate New York.
The restaurant’s menu featured barbecued chicken wings with a choice of beef sandwiches served on kimmelweck buns and a dozen sauces, all moderately priced.
Six months after opening, a third partner, Mark Lutz, joined the duo. Despite having no experience in the restaurant business, the trio managed to keep the students happy and thus decided to stay in the food service business.
The first few years of the business were wild, with the three partners paying little attention to the business’ financial matters. When money was tight, they would try to appease their creditors. When financial situations improved, they used the extra cash to open new restaurants.
Following this pattern, the trio opened six new locations over the next decade, covering Indiana, Ohio, Colorado, and Steamboat Springs.
The business started franchising in 1991 with the help of Francorp, a law firm based in Chicago. Buffalo Wild Wings planned to charge a $15,000 to $20,000 franchising fee plus a percentage of sales. The franchisees were also required to use the signature bottled wing sauces manufactured by Wilsey Inc. of Atlanta.
Two years after starting franchising its restaurants, Buffalo Wild Wings had expanded to 14 new locations, mainly in Ohio.
The company had secured a unique niche, filling the gap between McDonald’s and Applebee’s, with $5 to $6 getting you an unpretentious dining experience.
Buffalo Wild Wings Concept
Since most of the clientele were college students, the restaurant’s concept revolved around a sports bar, featuring several wall-mounted televisions tuned to sporting events. There are also computerized interactive sports trivia games and memorabilia displays scattered throughout the space.
Besides the buffalo-style chicken wings it’s known for, Buffalo Wild Wings has expanded its menu offerings to other items such as chicken legs and tenders. The menu also features appetizers, tacos, burgers, desserts, salads, wine, beer, and other beverages.
The restaurant is also famously known for its “Blazin Wing Challenge,” where they challenge their customers to eat 12 of their hottest wings in under six minutes. If completed the competitor receives a free T-shirt.
New restaurants built after 2016 began to follow a new store concept that was meant to make guests feel like they were in an actual sports stadium. Servers wore gray shorts and jerseys with the number 82, which signifies the year the chain was opened, 1982.
In December 2018, the restaurant launched another new layout, featuring a more prominent bar area, VIP spaces, flexible seating areas, and massive, arena-like video screens with anti-glare. A new uniform style was introduced in 2019, featuring only the company’s logo.
Buffalo Wild Wings Trademarks
Buffalo Wild Wings has sought or obtained a federal registration for over 60 trademarks. These include “BUFFALO WILD WINGS GRILL & BAR,” “NAKED TENDERS,” “B-DUBS,” and “BUFFALO WILD WINGS GO.”
Buffalo Wild Wings obtained federal trademark registration for “BUFFALO WILD WINGS GRILL & BAR” on January 10, 2006, and it uses the trademark for seasonings used to flavor potato chips, pretzels, popcorns, and peanuts.
The company also obtained federal trademark registration for “BUFFALO WILD WINGS GO” in December 2020. The company uses the trademark for its restaurant and bar services.
Please note: While we make every effort to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, we cannot be held responsible for its accuracy or completeness. If you have any questions regarding a specific entity in Gerben's Trademark Library®, please contact us and we will work with you to provide the information you need.
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS
- Logo #1
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS GO
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS GO
- PICKS AND PROPS
- THE GREAT AMERICAN SPORTS BAR
- ESCAPE TO FOOTBALL
- B-DUBS EXPRESS
- TAKE AND SHAKE WINGS
- BLAZIN' REWARDS
- GAME OF RIVALS
- NOWHERE IS SPORTS MORE ALIVE
- WINGS. BEER. SPORTS.
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS WINGS. BEER. SPORTS.
- Logo #2
- TEAM UP FOR KIDS
- Logo #3
- B-DUBS
- WINGS. BEER. SPORTS.
- DESERT HEAT
- BW-3
- BWW
- BLAZIN'
- YOU HAVE TO BE HERE
- BONELESS THURSDAYS
- MARGARITA MAYHEM
- WALL-TO-WALL SPORTS
- WING TUESDAYS
- ASIAN ZING
- TAKE THE FLAVOR HOME
- BWW
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS GRILL & BAR
- BUFFALO CIRCLE
- NAKED TENDERS
- BWLD
- B-DUBS
- BLAZIN'
- WILD
- BUFFALITO
- Logo #4
- Logo #5
- BLAZIN' CHALLENGE
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS GRILL & BAR
- Logo #6
- Logo #7
- Logo #8
- Logo #9
- Logo #10
- Logo #11
- WINGS. BEER. SPORTS. ALL THE ESSENTIALS.
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS GRILL & BAR
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS GRILL & BAR
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS GRILL & BAR
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS & WECK
- BW-3 BUFFALO WILD WINGS AND WECK THE REAL WING
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IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Online retail store services featuring virtual goods, namely, food and beverages for use in online virtual worlds; digital retail store services featuring downloadable and non-downloadable virtual goods in the nature of food items and beverages for use in online virtual worlds; retail store services featuring virtual goods, namely, access tokens for use in online virtual worlds; conducting an incentive reward program to promote the sale of restaurant services and food and beverage products whereby individuals can earn real world and virtual rewards; administration of a rewards program to promote the sale of restaurant services and food and beverage products featuring virtual rewards that can be redeemed in the real or virtual world; Providing an online incentive awards program through an online virtual environment designed to reward program participants who engage in virtual reality video games to earn reward points and virtual currency which may be used to purchase food and beverages.
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S Entertainment services, namely, providing online virtual restaurants in virtual environments in which users can interact for recreational, leisure or entertainment purposes; entertainment services, namely, providing online, non-downloadable virtual food items and beverages for use in virtual environments created for entertainment purposes; entertainment services, namely, providing online, non-downloadable virtual gifts and rewards in the nature of food, beverages, clothing, and bags for use in virtual environments created for entertainment purposes; entertainment services in the nature of arranging and conducting online actual and virtual concerts and other virtual social entertainment events; Providing non-downloadable multimedia files containing artwork, text, audio, and video files relating to food and beverage products, restaurants, and content promoting restaurant services and authenticated by non-fungible tokens (NFTs); entertainment services, namely, providing an online non-downloadable virtual restaurant offering delivery of virtual food and beverage products for use in virtual environments created for entertainment purposes; entertainment services, namely, providing an online non-downloadable virtual restaurant featuring virtual food and beverages for use in virtual environments created for entertainment purposes.
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S Providing temporary use of non-downloadable software that gives users the ability to upload, modify and share virtual reality content, augmented reality content, mixed reality content, information, experiences and data in the fields of food and beverage products, restaurants, and content promoting restaurant services; providing temporary use of non-downloadable game, augmented reality, and commercial transaction software offering virtual food and beverage products; non-downloadable computer software, namely, software for use in generating non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for facilitating commercial transactions; providing temporary use of non-downloadable software that allows users to access restaurant menus, locate restaurants, place food and beverage orders, pay for orders, and collect rewards.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Preparation and provision of food and beverages in restaurants or ghost kitchens for consumption on and off premises; food preparation services for delivery or pick-up; restaurants featuring home delivery; virtual restaurant offering delivery of food and beverage products.
IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S Downloadable virtual goods in the nature of downloadable image files and computer programs featuring virtual food and beverage products for use in virtual worlds; downloadable multimedia files containing artwork, text, audio, and video files relating to food and beverage products, restaurants, and content promoting restaurant services authenticated by non-fungible tokens (NFTs); downloadable computer data files featuring loyalty and reward cards which can be redeemed for restaurant menu items; downloadable computer software, namely, software for use in generating non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for facilitating commercial transactions; downloadable software that allows users to access restaurant menus, locate restaurants, place food and beverage orders, pay for orders, and collect rewards.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Online retail store services featuring virtual goods, namely, food and beverages for use in online virtual worlds; digital retail store services featuring downloadable and non-downloadable virtual goods in the nature of food items and beverages for use in online virtual worlds; retail store services featuring virtual goods, namely, access tokens for use in online virtual worlds; conducting an incentive reward program to promote the sale of restaurant services and food and beverage products whereby individuals can earn real world and virtual rewards; administration of a rewards program to promote the sale of restaurant services and food and beverage products featuring virtual rewards that can be redeemed in the real or virtual world; Providing an online incentive awards program through an online virtual environment designed to reward program participants who engage in virtual reality video games to earn reward points and virtual currency which may be used to purchase food and beverages.
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S Entertainment services, namely, providing online virtual restaurants in virtual environments in which users can interact for recreational, leisure or entertainment purposes; entertainment services, namely, providing online, non-downloadable virtual food items and beverages for use in virtual environments created for entertainment purposes; entertainment services, namely, providing online, non-downloadable virtual gifts and rewards in the nature of food, beverages, clothing, and bags for use in virtual environments created for entertainment purposes; entertainment services in the nature of arranging and conducting online actual and virtual concerts and other virtual social entertainment events; Providing non-downloadable multimedia files containing artwork, text, audio, and video files relating to food and beverage products, restaurants, and content promoting restaurant services and authenticated by non-fungible tokens (NFTs); entertainment services, namely, providing an online non-downloadable virtual restaurant offering delivery of virtual food and beverage products for use in virtual environments created for entertainment purposes; entertainment services, namely, providing an online non-downloadable virtual restaurant featuring virtual food and beverages for use in virtual environments created for entertainment purposes.
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S Providing temporary use of non-downloadable software that gives users the ability to upload, modify and share virtual reality content, augmented reality content, mixed reality content, information, experiences and data in the fields of food and beverage products, restaurants, and content promoting restaurant services; providing temporary use of non-downloadable game, augmented reality, and commercial transaction software offering virtual food and beverage products; non-downloadable computer software, namely, software for use in generating non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for facilitating commercial transactions; providing temporary use of non-downloadable software that allows users to access restaurant menus, locate restaurants, place food and beverage orders, pay for orders, and collect rewards.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Preparation and provision of food and beverages in restaurants or ghost kitchens for consumption on and off premises; food preparation services for delivery or pick-up; restaurants featuring home delivery; virtual restaurant offering delivery of food and beverage products.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant and bar services; takeout restaurant services; restaurants featuring home and business delivery. FIRST USE: 20200513. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20200513.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant and bar services; takeout restaurant services; restaurants featuring home and business delivery. FIRST USE: 20200513. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20200513.
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S Providing online non-downloadable electronic games. FIRST USE: 20190903. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20190903.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant and bar services. FIRST USE: 20181129. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20181129.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20180800. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20180800.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20170614. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20170614.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20180401. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20180401.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Consumer loyalty services for commercial, promotional and advertising purposes, namely, administration of a consumer loyalty program which provides discounts for food and beverages and opportunities to participate in contests and games. FIRST USE: 20150914. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20150914.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20150914. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20150914.
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S Providing online interactive video games; live entertainment in the nature of games featuring sports trivia. FIRST USE: 20141112. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20141112.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20141112. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20141112.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20150306. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20150306.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Sauces. FIRST USE: 20010426. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20010613.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Franchise services, namely, offering business management assistance in the establishment and operation of restaurants. FIRST USE: 20010426. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20010613.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20010426. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20010613.
IC 030. US 046. G & S [ Sauces, namely, flavored sauces for chicken wings ]. FIRST USE: 20130125. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20130125.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20130125. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20130125.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S franchise services, namely, offering business management assistance in the establishment and operation of restaurants. FIRST USE: 20120705. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20120705.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20120705. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20120705.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Charitable services, namely, promoting public awareness of the benefits of children participating in sports. FIRST USE: 20121102. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20121102.
IC 036. US 100 101 102. G & S Charitable fundraising services. FIRST USE: 20121102. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20121102.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Sauces. FIRST USE: 20120701. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20130101.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Bar and restaurant services; take-out restaurant services; catering services. FIRST USE: 20110731. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20110731.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Franchise services, namely, offering business management assistance in the establishment and operation of restaurants. FIRST USE: 20110310. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20110310.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20110310. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20110310.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20100601. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20100601.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19820831. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19820831.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19970616. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19970616.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19941027. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19941027.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20060930. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20060930.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20050501. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20050501.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20050501. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20050501.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20060201. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20060201.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19940101. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19940101.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Flavored sauces. FIRST USE: 20060228. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20060228.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20050926. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20050926.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S consultation in the field of restaurant management for others. FIRST USE: 20071001. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20071001.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19970609. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19970609.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Affinity club for restaurant patrons in the nature of a customer club service for promotional and advertising purposes. FIRST USE: 20020901. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20020901.
IC 029. US 046. G & S Prepared food, namely, entrees, side dishes and appetizers consisting primarily of chicken. FIRST USE: 20040422. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20040422.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES. FIRST USE: 20031115. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20031115.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES. FIRST USE: 20060201. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20060201.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Flavored sauces for chicken wings. FIRST USE: 19941027. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19941027.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Flavored sauces for chicken wings for sale in the retail market. FIRST USE: 19820901. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19870830.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Wrapped-style sandwich filled with a variety of meats, cheeses, vegetables and sauces. FIRST USE: 19860920. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19870830.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Sauces. FIRST USE: 20060131. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20060131.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20060131. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20060131.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Sauces. FIRST USE: 20060131. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20060131.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20060131. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20060131.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20050301. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20050301.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Franchise services, namely, offering business management assistance in the establishment and operation of restaurants. FIRST USE: 19970606. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19970606.
IC 030. US 046. G & S [ Sauces, namely, barbecue sauces ]. FIRST USE: 19970606. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19970606.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S [ Franchise services, namely, offering business management assistance in the establishment and operation of restaurants ]. FIRST USE: 19970606. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19970606.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19970606. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19970606.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Franchise services, namely, offering business management assistance in the establishment and operation of restaurants. FIRST USE: 20101208. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20101208.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Franchise services, namely, offering business management assistance in the establishment and operation of restaurants. FIRST USE: 20101208. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20101208.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES FEATURING CHICKEN WINGS. FIRST USE: 20010730. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20010730.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES FEATURING CHICKEN WINGS. FIRST USE: 20001115. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20001115.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES FEATURING CHICKEN WINGS. FIRST USE: 20010730. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20010730.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES FEATURING CHICKEN WINGS. FIRST USE: 20001115. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20001115.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES. FIRST USE: 20010426. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20010613.
IC 030. US 046. G & S SEASONING, NAMELY, AN INGREDIENT FOR FLAVORING POTATO CHIPS, POPCORN, PRETZELS, AND PEANUTS. FIRST USE: 20011216. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20011216.
IC 030. US 046. G & S SAUCES, NAMELY, BARBECUE SAUCES. FIRST USE: 19981100. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19981100.
IC 030. US 046. G & S SEASONINGS, NAMELY, AN INGREDIENT FOR FLAVORING POTATO CHIPS, POPCORN, PRETZELS, AND PEANUTS. FIRST USE: 20011216. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20011216.
IC 030. US 046. G & S SAUCES, NAMELY, BARBECUE SAUCES. FIRST USE: 19981100. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19981100.
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19970609. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19970609.
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19970616. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19970616.
IC 042. US 100. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES. FIRST USE: 19820800. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19820800.
IC 042. US 100. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES. FIRST USE: 19820800. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19820800.