The SCORE 2015 Issue 3 | Page 24

FOOTBALL: A Touchdown for Your Business By Elizabeth Lowman A 2015 Issue 3 | THE SCORE 22 ccording to a 2014 Associated Press-GfK poll, the National Football League (NFL) is still the most popular sports league in the United States, drawing the highest TV ratings by far. And then there are the fanatics of the 128 Division I teams in the National College Athletic Association (NCAA). Therefore, when you own and operate a sports-centric restaurant and bar like Buffalo Wild Wings®, football season is definitely one of your busiest periods. Here is a look at what makes up your experiences as franchisees during this high-traffic time. Location, location, location With 32 NFL teams and the above-mentioned Division I NCAA teams, it’s quite possible that at least one of your locations is in the hometown of a pro or college team. And if not, you need not worry about how your business will fare. Fans of every possible team are spread out across the country and flock to sports bars to watch their favorite take the field each week. Franchisee Josh Theiss agrees.“Our stores are not in college towns; however, we are in very close proximity to Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field and Tyndall Air Force Base, which means we get a very eclectic mix of football fans (college and pro) given that the air men and women hail from all over the country.” For Two Joe’s, Minnesota State University Mankato, a Division II school with a solid football program, is located near one of their restaurants.“We host events at the store called the Fifth Quarter in which alumni and parents of the players come for a great after-game experience. We also cater up to the football stadium and provide food and beverages to the VIP tent,” said