How to Finance a Buffalo’s Cafe Franchise: Cafe or Express Units
By Anthony Cornella
A Buffalo’s Cafe franchise loan can fund two very different restaurants: a full-service, family-friendly wing restaurant, or a smaller fast casual Buffalo’s Express unit, which is often paired with a burger concept under the same roof. The format you choose decides how much build-out, kitchen equipment and working capital you need to finance.
Below: what to pull from the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), how the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing and its real estate notes affect an SBA loan, and how to fund a first restaurant, a resale or several units.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Buffalo’s Cafe; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures in the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice; review the current FDD and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and an accountant before you sign.
Buffalo’s Cafe Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: a wing-focused restaurant brand whose first restaurant opened in Georgia in 1985, known for Buffalo-style chicken wings and its 13 house-made sauces.
- Formats: full-service Buffalo’s Cafe restaurants and smaller-footprint, fast casual Buffalo’s Express units.
- Co-branding: the parent company reported in 2026 that Buffalo’s Express is co-branded with more than 100 restaurants of a sister burger brand to date.
- Fees, royalty and investment range: not verified from the franchisor’s own published materials for this article; Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD set them out.
- Net worth and liquidity: not verified; ask the franchise development team for current requirements.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as “Buffalo’s Cafe / Buffalo’s Express” under code S3769, with notes on the lease rider, real estate purchase options and lien position.
What Is Buffalo’s Cafe?
Buffalo’s Cafe traces its story to the Buffalo wing trend that began in Buffalo, New York, and opened its first restaurant in 1985 in Georgia. The brand says its story “begins and ends with buffalo wings”: it sources medium-sized wings, tosses them in its 13 house-made sauces and pairs them with regional fare in a family-friendly setting.
Two formats. The full-service cafe is a sit-down restaurant with a bar-and-grill style menu. Buffalo’s Express is a fast casual model with a smaller footprint that the company describes as a way to open new markets, and it frequently operates alongside a burger concept owned by the same parent company, offering dine-in and takeout from one kitchen.
How lenders see the brand. Buffalo’s Cafe is a long-running regional brand within a larger multi-brand franchisor rather than a national giant. Lenders weigh the buyer’s restaurant experience, liquidity and site more heavily than system-wide data, and they pay close attention to which format is being financed, because a full-service cafe and a co-branded express unit carry very different cost and staffing profiles.
Buffalo’s Cafe Franchise Costs
Verified fee and investment figures were not available from the franchisor’s own published materials when this article was written, so use the current FDD for exact numbers. Expect Item 7 to separate costs by format.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 discloses the fee for each format, any co-branding fee and any development fee for multiple units.
Real estate and build-out. Most franchisees lease space. A full-service cafe needs a larger dining room, bar area and restrooms; an express unit needs less space but a well-planned counter and kitchen. Leasehold improvements, permits, architecture and signage often make up the largest share of a new restaurant’s cost. Our article on restaurant build-out financing explains how lenders fund this stage.
Kitchen equipment. Fryers, ventilation hoods, fire suppression, refrigeration, prep tables, sauce stations and, in a co-branded unit, grills and equipment for the burger menu.
Furniture, technology and signage. Seating, bar fixtures for full-service units, point-of-sale and online ordering systems, menu boards and exterior signs.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening inventory, training, grand opening marketing, deposits, insurance and the “additional funds” Item 7 lists for the first months.
Read the full Item 7 table for each format and make sure your loan request matches the total.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty and advertising. Item 6 of the FDD lists the royalty and any advertising or brand fund contribution, usually as a percentage of gross sales. Co-branded units may pay fees under more than one agreement, so read how fees apply to combined sales.
Technology and other fees. Look for point-of-sale, online ordering, training, transfer and renewal fees.
Remodels. Ask whether the franchise agreement requires periodic remodels or equipment upgrades.
How lenders factor them in. A lender deducts food and paper costs, labor, rent, royalties and advertising before measuring cash flow available for debt service. Chicken wing prices can swing, so lenders like to see projections that hold up under higher food costs.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchisor does not publish minimum net worth or liquid capital figures in materials we could verify. Ask the franchise development team for current requirements and confirm them in the FDD.
The approval process. Expect an application, a financial review, interviews and site approval, followed by training before opening. Lenders will want the franchisor’s approval and the signed franchise agreement before closing.
Ways to Own a Buffalo’s Cafe
A new restaurant. A new cafe or express unit is underwritten on the buyer’s personal strength and projections. Our page on franchise start-up financing explains how a Buffalo’s Cafe franchise loan for a new unit is typically structured.
A co-branded express unit. Pairing Buffalo’s Express with a burger concept spreads rent and labor across two menus. Lenders will review both franchise agreements and the combined projections.
Buying an existing restaurant. If an owner is selling, the buyer can show lenders actual sales and expenses. The franchisor must approve the transfer. Our guide to buying a franchise resale covers approval and timing.
Financing Options for a Buffalo’s Cafe Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory, a Buffalo’s Cafe franchise loan can use an SBA 7(a) loan to cover the franchise fee, build-out, equipment and working capital.
SBA 504 loans. If you buy or build the restaurant building, an SBA 504 loan can finance the real estate and long-lived equipment. Note the directory conditions on real estate below.
Conventional term loans. Experienced restaurant operators may qualify for a conventional business loan, especially for additional units.
Equipment financing. Fryers, hoods, refrigeration and point-of-sale systems can often be financed separately. Learn more about restaurant equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Game days and sports seasons can drive big swings in wing sales, while food costs and payroll arrive every week. See our restaurant working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price on an existing restaurant. A seller note is typically subordinate to the senior lender, and SBA rules may limit how it is structured.
SBA Loans for Buffalo’s Cafe Franchisees
SBA lending for franchises runs through the SBA Franchise Directory, a list of brands whose franchise agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. SBA lenders generally require a brand to be listed before they make an SBA-guaranteed loan to one of its franchisees. A listing does not approve any borrower.
Buffalo’s Cafe’s listing. The brand appears as “Buffalo’s Cafe / Buffalo’s Express” under code S3769, so both formats are covered. The listing carries three notes:
- When the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the franchisor’s form of lease rider may not be executed.
- The franchisor may not enforce a purchase option on real estate owned by the franchisee or an affiliate and taken as collateral for the SBA loan.
- The lender or certified development company must obtain the correct lien position on all collateral as SBA rules require.
What that means in plain English. These notes matter mainly to owners who own their building. If your own property secures the loan, the franchisor’s standard lease rider is set aside and the franchisor cannot use a purchase option to take that property from under the lender’s collateral. Owners who lease space are less affected, though the lender will still confirm its lien position on equipment and other assets.
Loan size. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. Our SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates, which are for planning only and are not an offer or approval.
How Lenders Evaluate a Buffalo’s Cafe Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and typically require a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. For any Buffalo’s Cafe franchise loan, expect to inject equity and keep reserves after opening.
Restaurant experience. Prior restaurant or bar management experience strengthens a request, especially for a full-service cafe with alcohol service.
Business plan and projections. Projections should reflect the format, local competition from other wing concepts, sports-season traffic, takeout and delivery mix, labor and wing costs.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal and transfer provisions, Item 10 (franchisor financing) and whether Item 19 includes financial performance representations.
Site and lease. Lenders review the lease term, rent and any lease rider. For owned real estate, the directory notes above apply.
Historical financials for resales. Provide several years of tax returns, profit and loss statements and sales reports for the restaurant you are buying.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Owners who succeed with a first unit may sign for additional restaurants, often in the smaller express format. Ask about development agreements, fees and opening schedules in Item 5 and the franchise agreement. Lenders look at the first unit’s results and the owner’s liquidity before financing the next. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how lenders approach growth.
Real-World Scenarios
A restaurant manager opening an express unit. A manager with years of quick-service experience opens a co-branded express unit with an SBA 7(a) loan covering the fee, build-out, equipment and working capital.
An owner who owns the building. A buyer purchases a freestanding building for a full-service cafe using an SBA 504 loan. The lease rider and purchase option notes in the directory listing shape the closing documents.
A buyer acquiring an existing cafe. A buyer purchases an operating restaurant from a retiring franchisee. The lender underwrites actual sales, and the seller carries a small subordinate note.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a format without modeling both the cafe and express cost profiles
- Ignoring how fees work across two brands in a co-branded unit
- Projecting game-day sales for every week of the year
- Overlooking the SBA directory notes when the real estate secures the loan
- Leaving too little working capital for the opening months
For more pitfalls, read the restaurant loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your Buffalo’s Cafe Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Review Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 2: Choose your format. Decide between a full-service cafe and an express unit, alone or co-branded.
Step 3: Confirm your capital. Ask for current net worth and liquidity requirements.
Step 4: Find a site. Get franchisor approval and negotiate the lease or purchase.
Step 5: Talk with a financing specialist. Compare SBA 7(a), SBA 504, conventional and equipment financing.
Step 6: Apply and coordinate approvals. Align the lender’s timeline with the franchisor’s approval, construction and training.
Buffalo’s Cafe Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Buffalo’s Cafe franchise cost?
It depends on the format and site. Item 7 of the current FDD lists the estimated initial investment for each format.
What is the Buffalo’s Cafe franchise fee?
The fee is disclosed in Item 5 of the FDD, along with any co-branding or development fees.
What royalty does Buffalo’s Cafe charge?
Royalty and advertising contributions are listed in Item 6 of the FDD.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Buffalo’s Cafe?
Yes, subject to approval. The brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S3769, covering both Buffalo’s Cafe and Buffalo’s Express.
What is the difference between Buffalo’s Cafe and Buffalo’s Express?
Buffalo’s Cafe is full-service; Buffalo’s Express is a smaller fast casual format, often co-branded with a burger concept.
Can I finance kitchen equipment separately?
Often, yes. Equipment financing can cover fryers, hoods, refrigeration and point-of-sale systems.
Can I buy an existing Buffalo’s Cafe?
If an owner is selling and the franchisor approves the transfer, yes. Lenders will underwrite the restaurant’s actual results.
Does Buffalo’s Cafe offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the current FDD. Most owners arrange their own loans.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 of the FDD sets the term, renewal and transfer conditions.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Review Item 19 to see whether it includes financial performance representations.
Final Thoughts
A Buffalo’s Cafe franchise loan starts with a format decision. Owners who match the format to their market, read the SBA directory notes carefully if they own real estate and keep solid working capital give themselves the best chance at a smooth opening.
US Professional Funding helps franchise and restaurant owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment, working capital and refinancing. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing solutions.
