Buffalo Wild Wings is one of the most recognizable names in the sports bar and restaurant industry. Known for offering the Highest Paying Job Wild Wings, it provides excellent opportunities for career growth. With a vibrant, customer-centric atmosphere and a menu famous for its wide range of flavorsome wings, the brand has grown immensely since its inception. As of today, Buffalo Wild Wings operates hundreds of locations across the United States and internationally.
However, beyond the food and drinks, Buffalo Wild Wings also offers a variety of employment opportunities. These positions span from entry-level roles such as servers and hosts to high-level managerial and operational positions. One question that arises for those considering a career at Buffalo Wild Wings is: What is the highest paying job in Buffalo Wild Wings?
A Brief Overview of Employment at Buffalo Wild Wings
Before delving into specific roles, it’s important to understand what makes Buffalo Wild Wings an attractive employer for many. The company offers various career paths, flexible schedules, and an energetic work environment. Whether you’re seeking a part-time job to support your education or aiming to build a career in the restaurant industry, Buffalo Wild Wings offers plenty of opportunities.
Buffalo Wild Wings employees are often drawn to the company’s strong emphasis on teamwork, customer engagement, and career growth. However, the most appealing factor for many is the potential for lucrative compensation, especially at higher management levels. Let’s explore which roles offer the most substantial salaries and benefits.
The Highest Paying Job at Buffalo Wild Wings: Director of Operations
The Director of Operations is, by far, the highest paying role at Buffalo Wild Wings. This position comes with a yearly salary that can reach up to $144,230, depending on the location and specific restaurant region. The Director of Operations is responsible for overseeing multiple restaurant locations, ensuring that each one operates smoothly and profitably.
Key responsibilities for this role include:
- Monitoring the performance of each restaurant under their jurisdiction
- Managing and leading the restaurant managers at each location
- Ensuring that company standards are met across the board in terms of service, cleanliness, and food quality
- Handling customer service escalations when necessary
- Implementing new initiatives to increase profitability
- Coordinating with upper management and corporate headquarters on various operational strategies
Given the responsibilities involved, it’s no surprise that this position commands such a high salary. In fact, many Directors of Operations started their careers in lower-level management positions and worked their way up through the ranks. With the right combination of experience, leadership skills, and a strong work ethic, achieving this position can be both a fulfilling and financially rewarding career goal.
To understand more about high-paying restaurant roles, you can take a look at the guide to Buffalo Wild Wings positions, which provides a detailed breakdown of various positions within the company.
Other High-Paying Positions: Restaurant General Manager
While the Director of Operations holds the top spot in terms of pay, the role of Restaurant General Manager is another lucrative position within Buffalo Wild Wings. The average annual salary for this position ranges from $58,000 to $60,000. The Restaurant General Manager is in charge of the daily operations of a single restaurant location.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing the restaurant staff, including servers, cooks, hosts, and other team members
- Creating employee schedules and ensuring that there are enough staff members for each shift
- Overseeing inventory and ordering supplies as needed
- Maintaining a clean and safe environment for customers and employees
- Ensuring that the restaurant meets company standards for food quality and customer service
- Handling customer complaints and ensuring customer satisfaction
For those who enjoy working directly in a fast-paced restaurant environment, the role of General Manager offers both a challenging and rewarding career. Moreover, Buffalo Wild Wings typically offers performance-based bonuses to its General Managers, further increasing their earning potential.
If you want to learn more about Restaurant General Manager.
A Closer Look at Buffalo Wild Wings’ Pay Structure for Various Roles
While the Director of Operations and Restaurant General Manager roles command the highest salaries, Buffalo Wild Wings offers competitive pay for a variety of other roles as well. Here’s a closer look at some of these positions:
Store Owner: While not a direct employee of Buffalo Wild Wings, franchise owners typically earn an average annual salary of $69,822. Owning a Buffalo Wild Wings franchise requires a significant investment, but for those with a strong business acumen, it can be a lucrative venture.
Front of House Manager: Responsible for managing the dining area and customer-facing staff, this role has an average salary of $50,000 per year. The Front of House Manager ensures that customers have a positive dining experience by maintaining excellent customer service standards.
Host/Hostess: Often one of the first positions that employees take on when starting at Buffalo Wild Wings, hosts and hostesses typically earn an hourly wage of $15.29. Their primary responsibilities include greeting customers, seating them, and managing the flow of the restaurant.
Cashier: Cashiers handle customer payments, take to-go orders, and manage various transactions. They earn an average hourly wage of $12.66. While this role may not offer the highest salary, it can serve as a stepping stone to other positions within the restaurant.
Lead Cashier: In addition to their standard cashier duties, Lead Cashiers are responsible for training and overseeing other cashiers. They earn slightly more than regular cashiers, with an average hourly wage of $12.30.
Customer Service Associate: These employees assist customers with various needs, including taking orders, answering questions, and resolving complaints. The average wage for this position is $12.05 per hour.
Server: Servers at Buffalo Wild Wings typically earn $15.29 per hour, but with tips, their earnings can vary significantly. During busy shifts, servers can make an additional $200 to $300 per night in tips.
For more insight into how different roles in the restaurant industry stack up in terms of pay, check out the detailed guide to restaurant salaries.
Bonuses and Benefits: Enhancing Total Compensation
In addition to competitive salaries, the Highest Paying Job Wild Wings offers includes monthly and quarterly bonuses. These bonuses are typically performance-based, meaning that employees who meet or exceed certain targets such as sales goals, customer satisfaction ratings, or other key performance indicators (KPIs) can receive extra compensation on top of their base salary.
Moreover, employees often receive employee discounts on food and drinks, which can add extra value to their compensation package. This is particularly beneficial for those who dine frequently at Buffalo Wild Wings or enjoy hosting friends and family at the restaurant.
Beyond bonuses and discounts, Buffalo Wild Wings offers a range of benefits, including paid time off (PTO) and various insurance packages (such as dental, vision, and life insurance). Although this article doesn’t delve into the specifics of health benefits, these offerings make Buffalo Wild Wings an attractive employer for those seeking both financial rewards and comprehensive benefits.
Geographic Differences in Pay: How Location Affects Earnings
Like many restaurant chains, the pay for Buffalo Wild Wings employees can vary significantly depending on the location. Salaries in states with a higher cost of living such as California, New York, and Washington tend to be higher than those in states with a lower cost of living.
For example:
- In California, the salary for a General Manager can reach up to $83,785 per year. California’s higher minimum wage laws and cost of living contribute to this higher salary range.
- In New Jersey, employees often see above-average wages due to the state’s proximity to major urban centers like New York City.
- In Washington State, wages and tips are generally higher than the national average due to the state’s higher minimum wage and strong labor laws.
Employees working in these high-cost states typically benefit from higher salaries and tips, but it’s important to factor in the higher cost of living when considering these roles.
For more information on how geographic differences impact pay, you can read more about restaurant pay differences by location.
Career Growth at Buffalo Wild Wings: Climbing the Ladder
One of the greatest advantages of working at Buffalo Wild Wings is the potential for career growth. Many employees start in entry-level roles, such as servers or hosts, and eventually work their way up to managerial and operational positions. Buffalo Wild Wings offers clear paths for advancement, and the company frequently promotes from within.
A typical career progression might look something like this:
- Host → Server → Shift Manager → Front of House Manager → Restaurant General Manager
- Cashier → Lead Cashier → Assistant Manager → General Manager → Director of Operations
By gaining experience in various roles and demonstrating strong leadership skills, employees have the opportunity to climb the ranks and significantly increase their earning potential. This type of career progression is not uncommon in the restaurant industry, where hands-on experience and a deep understanding of restaurant operations are highly valued.
For those interested in pursuing a long-term career in the restaurant business, Buffalo Wild Wings provides ample opportunities to move up the ladder and take on more responsibility.
Working as a Server: Pay, Tips, and Real-Life Experiences
One of the most common entry-level positions at Buffalo Wild Wings is that of a server. Servers play a crucial role in the dining experience, interacting directly with customers, taking orders, and ensuring that guests have an enjoyable experience.
Servers at Buffalo Wild Wings typically earn $15.29 per hour, but their real earnings potential comes from tips. During busy shifts such as major sporting events servers can earn substantial tips, sometimes making $200 to $300 or more in a single night.
However, working as a server also comes with its challenges. The job can be physically demanding, with long hours on your feet and constant interaction with customers. Servers must be able to handle high-pressure situations, especially during busy times, and provide excellent customer service to ensure that customers leave happy (and tip generously).
Many servers enjoy the fast-paced environment and the opportunity to earn tips, which can significantly boost their overall earnings. For those who excel in this role, there are often opportunities to advance to managerial positions within the restaurant.
If you’re considering a serving job at Buffalo Wild Wings or another restaurant, take a look at the guide to serving roles and tips for more insights into the pros and cons of this type of position.
Employee Satisfaction and Work Environment
While compensation is an important factor when considering the Highest Paying Job Wild Wings offers, employee satisfaction and the overall work environment also play a crucial role. Many employees appreciate the camaraderie that comes with working in a team-oriented environment. The fast-paced nature of the restaurant creates a dynamic and exciting atmosphere where no two days are the same.
Employee satisfaction at Buffalo Wild Wings varies depending on the specific location, management team, and individual experiences. However, many employees report positive experiences due to the company’s focus on teamwork, flexibility, and opportunities for career growth.
For those in managerial positions, the job can be both challenging and rewarding. Managing a team of employees, overseeing restaurant operations, and ensuring customer satisfaction requires strong leadership skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks at once. However, for those who thrive in this type of environment, the rewards both financial and personal can be significant.
For more information on employee experiences, take a look at real-life reviews of working in the restaurant industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the highest paying job at Buffalo Wild Wings?
- The highest paying job at Buffalo Wild Wings is the Director of Operations, with an annual salary that can go up to $144,230.
2. How much does a Restaurant General Manager make at Buffalo Wild Wings?
- A Restaurant General Manager typically earns between $58,000 to $60,000 annually.
3. Do Buffalo Wild Wings employees receive bonuses?
- Yes, Buffalo Wild Wings offers monthly and quarterly bonuses, which are typically based on performance and specific metrics.
4. How much do servers at Buffalo Wild Wings make in tips?
- Servers at Buffalo Wild Wings typically earn $15.29 per hour but can make an additional $200 to $300 in tips during busy shifts.
5. Is there career growth potential at Buffalo Wild Wings?
- Yes, Buffalo Wild Wings offers significant opportunities for career advancement, with many employees progressing from entry-level positions to management roles.
Conclusion: The Financial and Career Benefits of Working at Buffalo Wild Wings
In conclusion, the highest paying jobs at Buffalo Wild Wings Director of Operations and Restaurant General Manager offer competitive salaries, lucrative bonuses, and significant opportunities for career advancement. These roles are ideal for individuals with strong leadership skills and a passion for the restaurant industry. However, even for those starting in entry-level positions, Buffalo Wild Wings provides a clear path for growth and increased earning potential.
Whether you’re seeking a long-term career in the restaurant industry or simply looking for a well-paying job with growth opportunities, Buffalo Wild Wings offers a variety of positions that can meet your needs. From serving to managing, Buffalo Wild Wings offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment that encourages employees to reach their full potential.
For further insights into how different roles and pay structures vary within Buffalo Wild Wings, check out the Buffalo Wild Wings Menu Guide and explore the company’s offerings in detail.