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The Secret History Of BW3s: Why Is It Called Buffalo Wild Wings (and What Is 'Weck' Anyway)?

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Have you ever stopped to wonder why a global chain with two 'W's in its name is often called "BW3s"? As of December 21, 2025, the truth behind the iconic restaurant's name is a fascinating tale of homesickness, a craving for authentic New York flavor, and a forgotten menu item that nearly became a national sensation. The simple answer—that it sells wings from Buffalo—only scratches the surface of the full, surprising history of Buffalo Wild Wings.

The full, original name was far more complex, and it holds the key to the chain's mysterious nickname and the enduring legacy of its founders. This deep dive into the company's origins reveals a story that starts not in a corporate boardroom, but in a small apartment in Ohio where two friends desperately missed the taste of home.

The Founders' Story: Jim Disbrow and Scott Lowery

The entire concept of Buffalo Wild Wings was born out of a simple, powerful craving. The story begins in 1982 with two friends, Jim Disbrow and Scott Lowery.

  • Founders: Jim Disbrow and Scott Lowery.
  • Founding Year: 1982.
  • Original Location: Columbus, Ohio, near The Ohio State University campus.
  • Hometown Influence: Both Disbrow and Lowery had recently relocated to Ohio from Buffalo, New York.
  • The Catalyst: Disbrow was in Columbus judging an ice skating competition. After the event, he and Lowery realized they couldn't find any authentic Buffalo-style chicken wings, the kind they missed from home.
  • Initial Goal: To open a restaurant that would replicate the genuine taste of Buffalo wings and the atmosphere of a classic New York sports bar.
  • Current Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia (under the parent company, Inspire Brands).

The founders’ personal history is critical to understanding the name. They weren't just selling "hot wings"; they were selling a specific regional dish from Buffalo, New York. This is the first, and most obvious, component of the name: Buffalo.

The Original Name: Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck (BW3)

The full, original name of the restaurant, which opened in 1982, was Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck. This name is the complete answer to the question of the chain’s identity and its infamous nickname, BW3s.

Decoding the "Buffalo Wild Wings" Part

The first two parts of the name are straightforward but essential to the brand's identity:

  • Buffalo: This refers to the Buffalo-style chicken wing, a dish that originated at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, in 1964. These are traditional, bone-in wings tossed in a vinegar-based cayenne pepper hot sauce and butter.
  • Wild: This was added to differentiate their brand and to convey the excitement and variety of their sauces, which now number over 26 different B-Dub sauces & seasonings.
  • Wings: The core product that sparked the entire business venture.

What is 'Weck' and Why Was It Removed?

The most mysterious part of the name is the '& Weck' component. This single word is the reason the restaurant is still affectionately called BW3s by long-time fans and those in the Midwest.

Weck is short for Beef on Weck.

The Beef on Weck sandwich is another regional delicacy from upstate New York. It consists of thinly sliced roast beef piled high on a kummelweck roll (a roll topped with kosher salt and caraway seeds) and served with au jus and horseradish.

The founders included this second New York staple on their menu as a way to fully immerse their customers in the regional cuisine they missed. The three 'W's in the original name—Wild, Wings, and Weck—are what led to the original, and still popular, abbreviation: BW3.

The 'Weck' sandwich, however, did not catch on nationally with the same fervor as the wings. As the chain began to expand outside of the Ohio and New York areas, the founders streamlined the name to simply Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., dropping the '& Weck' to appeal to a broader, national audience. The nickname, however, had already stuck.

The Evolution of the Brand: B-Dubs, Controversy, and Modern Menu

The name change was part of a larger, ongoing brand evolution. Today, the company is often referred to by its most popular, modern nickname: B-Dubs. This nickname is a natural, phonetic evolution of the older BW3s abbreviation, which is pronounced "Bee-Dubya-Three."

Under the ownership of Inspire Brands (which also owns Arby's, Dunkin', and Sonic Drive-In) since 2018, the chain continues to innovate while maintaining its core focus on sports, beer, and wings. The menu has expanded far beyond the original Traditional Wings and Beef on Weck to include Boneless Wings, Cauliflower Wings, Ultimate Samplers, and a rotating selection of limited-time sauces like the recent Brown Sugar Heat.

The Boneless Wing Lawsuit: A Current Identity Crisis

A recent, high-profile event highlights the continued scrutiny of the "Buffalo Wild Wings" name. In a fresh development, the company faced a lawsuit regarding its popular Boneless Wings.

The suit alleges that the product is misleadingly named because the "boneless wings" are not actually de-boned chicken wings. Instead, they are made from sliced and fried chicken breast meat. The legal challenge, which gained traction in 2023 and 2024, argued that the name implies the product is a de-boned wing joint, similar to a traditional wing, when it is essentially a chicken nugget.

This controversy, though humorous to some, underscores the importance of the word "Wing" in the brand's identity and the public's expectation of what a Buffalo Wild Wings menu item should be. The company has responded, asserting that the product is clearly described as an all-white-meat item.

Key Takeaways on the Naming Mystery

The name Buffalo Wild Wings is a carefully condensed version of a much longer, more specific original title. It’s a tribute to the founders' New York heritage and a strategic marketing decision to focus on their most successful product.

Here are the final, essential entities that explain the name:

  • Buffalo: The style of the wing, originating in Buffalo, New York.
  • Wild: The variety of sauce flavors and the sports-bar atmosphere.
  • Wings: The core product (traditional wings).
  • & Weck: The forgotten element (Beef on Weck sandwich) that created the nickname BW3s.
  • B-Dubs: The modern, phonetic nickname derived from BW3s.

So, the next time you order a basket of wings, you know the full story: you are participating in a delicious piece of regional history, a craving that turned into a multi-billion dollar casual dining restaurant chain, and a name that has three 'W's, even if you can only see two.

The Secret History of BW3s: Why is it Called Buffalo Wild Wings (and What is 'Weck' Anyway)?
why is it called buffalo wild wings
why is it called buffalo wild wings

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