Join a long-established brand that is now growing through franchising. Anchor Bar originated the Buffalo Wing over 60 years ago and has been featured on food shows and is the recipient of many awards. Anchor Bar has the recipe for success with famous sauces sold online worldwide and in 5,000 supermarkets.
Home of the Original Buffalo Wing!
The Anchor Bar created The Original Buffalo Wing in 1964 and now 60 plus years later is still a landmark in Buffalo and destination for visitors from around the globe. Our bottled wing sauce now retails in 5,000 supermarkets. With 20 locations opened in various states, we are poised for expansion all throughout the US. Several new units will be opening over the next year in various states.
Franchisees opening a traditional location will need 5,000 to 6,500 plus square feet of space, will receive a protected territory, and can open multiple locations if qualified.
The Anchor Bar Brand Story
The Anchor Bar, though known best for its wings and sauces, has a diverse menu consisting of pizza, burgers, Buffalo favorite beef-on-weck, great appetizers, salads and desserts.Our sports bar area features traditional and craft beer popular in the area along with specialty drinks and wine. The locations are a blend of family friendly casual dining, sports bar atmosphere and great food and drink.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
- Anchor Bar has been serving “the original wing” since 1964.
- While other brands feature Buffalo wings, none of them can lay claim to inventing the wing.
- Anchor Bar express ships thousands of pounds of their special wings around the world.
- Diverse location possibilities.
- Comprehensive training program takes franchisee through all phases of operations.
- Marketing support and guidance.
- Exposure through supermarket sales of wing sauce.
- Anchor Bar has been featured on Food Network, Travel Channel and numerous others.
- Site selection support through national commercial broker network.
- Lease negotiation support.
- Detailed operations manual and recipe manuals.
TRAINING AND SUPPORT
- The right to use the Anchor Bar business systems and know-how through initial and ongoing training, provision of operating manual and standard recipes.
- Site Selection and lease support and identification of local suppliers and service providers.
- Technical support in relation to customized store designs and layouts.
- Post-Launch support including soft opening and launch event, on the job training and store monitoring.
- Guidance and content in relation to launch and annual marketing plans and customized design and artwork.
- Ongoing field visits to franchised stores and regular review of financial performance.
- Ongoing market research and introduction of new products, promotions and marketing ideas.
Anchor Bar Recognition and Awards
Of the many distinctive Awards earned by the Anchor Bar, two of the most noteworthy were bestowed in 2003.In April 2003, the Anchor Bar was given the “James Beard Foundation Award.” This is given to restaurants “that have timeless appeal, beloved for quality food that reflect the history and character of the community. It is for an American classic.”
In May 2003, the Anchor Bar received the “Quality International Award” for its sauces. Presented with the prestigious gold medal, the Anchor Bar was judged the “Best of the Best” in a contest in which more then 1,000 sauces were entered. The judges were from the American Culinary and Tasting Institute.
Regular Award Winner at the National Wing Festival
- Best BBQ Wing Sauce - 2023
- Best Creative Spicy – 2022
- Best Dry Rub - 2021
- Best Dry Rub – 2019
- Best of Show – 2018
- Festival Favorite -2017
- Best Traditional Wings – 2016
NFL Players’ Favorite Dining on the Go – NFL Magazine
Best Chicken Wings in numerous cities and publications- numerous other awards, proclamations and designations.
We Have Your Recipe for Ownership Success!
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Anchor Bar Brings America’s Favorite Food to Illinois
Anchor Bar, home of the original, world-famous Buffalo chicken wing since 1964, celebrated the grand opening of its 16th restaurant location in the Village of Oswego with many local dignitaries, family, and friends in attendance. Samm and Laura Dimech, are the Franchisee Owners of the 1st Anchor Bar in IL located at 2440 Rt. 34 at Prairie Market.
“Laura and I have raised our family of three in the Oswego area for over 15 years and appreciate all Oswego has to offer. We love the competitive sports environment, local dining and fully support the remarkable growth in our hometown. We thought this is the ideal location and partnership for our new venture”, said Samm Dimech. “In addition to the mouthwatering signature chicken wings, there’s something on our menu for everyone! Whether it’s a date night, family celebration, sports team event or a night with friends, Anchor Bar is your destination.”
Following a ribbon cutting ceremony, President/CEO of the Oswego Chamber of Commerce Angie Hibben welcomed Anchor Bar to the community. “We’re pleased to welcome Anchor Bar and its famous Buffalo wings to Oswego,” Hibben said. “It will be a tremendous place to enjoy great food and drinks and watch sports. Oswego has so many great things happening right now, including Anchor Bar choosing Oswego as their first location in the state.”
In addition to welcoming comments from Hibben, many other local officials and dignitaries were in attendance, including: Kit Kuhrt and Jennifer Jones Sinnott, Village Trustees & Chamber members; Matt Kellogg Kendall County Board Chairman, and Jason Peterson Kendall County Board Member Dan Koukol; Chamber member Mark Sandstrom, Chairman of Oswego Chamber: Jonathan Henderson, Chamber Board members – Karen Kulzer & Wendy Greenslade, Chamber Ambassadors Don Howard, Mark Wrasman, Tracy Hodges, Janice Van Riper, and Laura Witt; and Kevin Leighty, Economic Development Director for the City of Oswego.
The new Anchor Bar restaurant features a family dining area and sports bar, both with views of televisions from every angle with more than 50 large flat screens and multiple audio zones. The casual, inviting space is outfitted with décor that includes sports memorabilia, pictures of celebrities, and awards. The menu features Anchor Bar’s classic fare, including the original signature wings and sauces, boneless wings and fingers, beef on weck, pizza, salads, burgers, and signature sandwiches. Guests can also choose from local and national beers on tap, wine, and a craft cocktail menu. The location is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
“We are thrilled to offer the community of Oswego the opportunity to experience our James Beard Gold Medal Award Winning Wings,” said Mark Dempsey, President & CEO of the Anchor Bar Franchise & Development Company. “Our history and tradition of sharing America’s favorite food is built on family, and that’s why it’s important that every Anchor Bar is run locally, by community business owners like Samm and Laura Dimech. We’re excited to support them in this new endeavor and look forward to a long, fruitful partnership.”
The Anchor Bar Franchise & Development Company opened its first franchise location in 2009. Today, the company has 16 locations with restaurants in Western New York, Texas, Maryland, Illinois, and Georgia.
For more information on franchising with Anchor Bar, please request info below.
Our group was seeking a nationally known brand with systems and pedigree but which also has room to grow as our goal is to be the regionally franchisee opening five locations over the next several years. Mark Dempsey and his team have been instrumental from day one, leading us in every aspect beginning with our site selection and through our recent launch. There is not much in the restaurant world this group has not seen and they have been available remotely and in person throughout giving us great ideas and steering us away from ill-advised ones. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the Anchor Bar family.
Our group was seeking a quality bar and restaurant concept within one of our several hotels. Being in Niagara Falls, many of our guests would ask about the historic Anchor Bar at the front desk; this led us down the path of considering a location in the Falls. The team was great in assisting with a quick conversion from the prior concept in the hotel -we opened in less than a month and have never looked back. Our sales have grown year over year and our Anchor Bar significantly outperforms the prior restaurant. Working with Anchor Bar is very team-oriented. Being a franchised hotel, we are required to offer breakfast. Though not part of the traditional Anchor Bar model, they were creative and willing to help us create a great “Buffalo Style” breakfast buffet that is far more appealing than your typical lobby style continental fair found in many hotels. This has increased our revenues and pleased our guests. We look forward to continued growth with the Anchor Bar brand.”
Buffalo Wing Trail: Anchor Bar
