AGE: 36
TITLE: Principal & Multi-Unit Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise Owner
COMPANY NAME: SBW, LLC
COMPANY’S LOCATION: Windsor and Manchester
RESIDENCE: Longmeadow, Mass.
What do you do? I love sports, wings, beer and creating jobs. As a Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise Owner those things are at the heart of what I do every day. Sports people can be a bit obsessed with stats — and I like ours: 50 high-def plasmas and big screens (including our 30-foot monster screen), 30 ice-cold beers on draft, 20 signature sauces and dry rubs for our award-winning wings, and over 120 team members in Hartford County. That last one is the best one, and it’s the one I am putting forth my greatest effort to grow.
What do you want to be doing in 10 years? I’d like to continue to challenge myself physically. I just did my first Tough Mudder, 12 miles straight up Mt. Snow in Vermont, crawling under barbed-wire, withstanding electric shocks, swimming through ice, it goes on. At the end I was bruised and bloodied, but because I was part of a supportive, good-humored team it felt amazing! I figure if I have the team spirit and tenacity to do that sort of thing 10 years from now, then I am likely to have professional success as well. I would also like to drink a few beers in Mexico, and celebrate the Celtics’ 20th title.
What is your biggest strength? Unequivocally my family members and my colleagues. Each of whom has a good sense of humor, which is critical as far as I’m concerned.
Where do you go for new ideas? I look to the beverage industry and to sports content and marketing quite often. They have extensive resources to take the pulse of the demographics my organization caters to and employs. As a franchisee for what I believe to be the most exciting national restaurant brand in the country, my colleagues and I deliver the ultimate social experience for sports fans as part of Buffalo Wild Wings system. But as an independent, small business owner, I spend a lot of time bouncing ideas around with the bright people I work with. This ensures we reflect the culture of the communities we serve, and can create unique experiences for our team members and guests.
What is the best advice you received? “Get on the floor!” in a booming voice. I was a coach’s kid, so this basically meant dive for loose balls, skin your knees, and out-hustle everyone. It’s the kind of simple advice that’s applicable to most things throughout your life. Later, I made that coach my partner, and he exemplifies that advice every day.
What service or charitable cause has your attention? Community Connection is at the heart of our organization’s mission, and we have been fortunate enough to be in the position to contribute to charitable causes such as tornado damage relief for Springfield, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the HDI tragedy, and promoting access to youth sports for all kids. Right now, I am working with the Connecticut Restaurant Association on how our industry can act locally to feed people that could use a hand.
