Buffalo Wild Wings has closed at least two locations in California this year, including one in San Jose and another in Long Beach, as the NFL season approaches.
These closures are part of a broader trend for the restaurant chain, which has also shuttered locations in Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Georgia, Kansas, Virginia, and New York in 2026. The manager of the Buffalo Wild Wings in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which closed in May after more than two decades, cited economic hardship and customers' reduced disposable income as contributing factors.
Despite these closures, Buffalo Wild Wings remains the largest sports bar chain in the United States with over 1,400 locations nationwide. Company representatives suggest these closures do not indicate a retreat from these markets but rather a strategic recalibration. The focus appears to be on divesting underperforming restaurants while enhancing takeout capabilities and expanding franchising.
This strategic adjustment aims to reposition the company's footprint for long-term growth. Customers in California can still patronize numerous other Buffalo Wild Wings locations, including four within the city of Los Angeles.
In a separate development, the chain introduced a limited-time "throwback" menu on August 19, featuring popular items from the 2000s, such as mini corn dogs and the returning Hot BBQ Sauce. This promotional menu is available through November 9.