The Secret History: 7 Shocking Facts About Why Buffalo Wild Wings Is Really Called B-Dubs

The iconic sports bar and wing joint, Buffalo Wild Wings, is known by almost everyone as "B-Dubs." As of late 2025, this casual, catchy nickname has become so ubiquitous that the company itself has fully embraced it in its official marketing, including major campaigns with sports figures like Jason Kelce and during events like March Madness. The real story behind the name, however, is a fascinating journey that starts not just with chicken wings, but with a famous regional sandwich, a cross-country move, and a simple, yet genius, phonetic abbreviation.

The transition from the lengthy official name to the snappy "B-Dubs" is a masterclass in organic branding. It’s a story rooted in the company’s original, even longer name, which explains why the simple acronym BWW isn't the only piece of the puzzle. To truly understand 'B-Dubs,' you have to start at the very beginning—in 1982—when two friends were desperate for a taste of home.

The Founders and The Original Name: Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck

The history of Buffalo Wild Wings, and thus the origin of the "B-Dubs" moniker, is inextricably linked to its two founders and their deep craving for a specific regional food. This section serves as a biography of the company’s genesis.

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• Founders: Jim Disbrow and Scott Lowery.
• Founding Year: 1982.
• Founding Location: Columbus, Ohio, near The Ohio State University campus.
• The Inspiration: Disbrow and Lowery had recently moved to Ohio from Buffalo, New York. They were figure skating judges who found themselves craving authentic, Buffalo-style chicken wings—a culinary staple they couldn't find in Columbus.
• The Solution: With no authentic wings available, they decided to open their own restaurant to satisfy their own craving and introduce the flavor to the Midwest.
• Original Official Name: Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck.
• Original Acronym: BW3.

The original name, Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck, is the first and most crucial piece of the "B-Dubs" puzzle. The "Buffalo Wild Wings" part is self-explanatory, but the inclusion of "Weck" is what separates the brand’s history from other wing joints. The 'W' in BW3 actually stood for "Weck," which was a nod to another famous upstate New York regional specialty, the Beef on Weck sandwich.

The Culinary Mystery of 'Weck' and the BW3 Acronym

The original acronym, BW3, was pronounced by customers and staff as "Bee-Double-You-Three." This is where the phonetic magic happens. The three syllables—"Bee-Double-You"—naturally and quickly morphed into the two-syllable, easier-to-say "B-Dub."

The "Weck" part of the name was a reference to the Kummelweck roll, which is a hard roll topped with coarse salt and caraway seeds. The original restaurant served this roast beef sandwich alongside their wings to fully pay homage to the cuisine of Buffalo, New York.

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However, as the chain expanded, the Beef on Weck sandwich became less central to the menu, and the longer name became cumbersome. The company officially streamlined its name to Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar (or just Buffalo Wild Wings) around 1998, dropping the "Weck." The official acronym became BWW.

The Phonetic Evolution: From BW3 to BWW to B-Dubs

The nickname "B-Dubs" is a prime example of how language evolves in a fast-paced, casual environment, particularly in a sports bar setting. The nickname survived the official name change because it was simply easier to say than the full acronym.

There are two primary, interconnected paths for the nickname's evolution:

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Path 1: The BW3 Legacy

The initial and most widely accepted origin is the phonetic shortening of the original acronym, BW3. Customers and employees would say "Bee-Double-You-Three," which quickly became slurred and shortened to "Bee-Dubs." Even after the official name change in 1998, the habit of calling it "B-Dubs" stuck, especially among long-time patrons.

Path 2: The BWW Simplification

The current official acronym is BWW (Buffalo Wild Wings). When you say the letters B-W-W out loud, you get "Bee-Double-You." The two main parts of this pronunciation are "Bee" and "Double-You." The term "dub" is a common slang shortening for "double-you" (like in the term "W" or "dubya"). Thus, BWW naturally becomes "Bee-Dubs."

The nickname is simply a case of linguistic efficiency: it’s six syllables shorter than the full name and one syllable shorter than the full acronym B-W-W.

B-Dubs in the Modern Era: Marketing and Topical Authority

Unlike many companies that fight against customer-created nicknames, Buffalo Wild Wings fully embraced the "B-Dubs" moniker. This strategic acceptance has cemented the nickname's place in popular culture and the company's marketing strategy, showcasing its topical authority in the sports bar landscape.

Official Corporate Adoption

The company, which is now owned by the massive restaurant group Inspire Brands, frequently uses B-Dubs in its advertising. This is a deliberate move to connect with its younger, sports-focused target demographic.

• Recent Campaigns: During major sporting events like the NCAA Basketball Tournament (March Madness), BWW has launched campaigns that explicitly use the "B-Dubs" name. In one recent campaign, they introduced a CGI buffalo mascot named Hank, who pitched "B-Dubs Vision Goggles" to ensure fans never miss a game on one of the countless screens in the restaurant.
• Celebrity Endorsements: Retired NFL star Jason Kelce recently partnered with the brand, declaring B-Dubs as the ultimate destination to watch football, further solidifying the casual nickname as part of the official brand identity.

This acceptance demonstrates a deep understanding of customer behavior. By adopting "B-Dubs," they didn't just accept a nickname; they adopted a culture.

The Menu Entities that Define B-Dubs

While the name is what gets people in the door, the menu is what keeps them coming back. The B-Dubs experience is defined by its vast array of sauces and dry rubs, which are central to its brand identity. The range of flavors is a key entity in its topical authority.

The sauce lineup is categorized by heat level, from mildest to the infamous Blazin'. Popular and essential flavors that define the B-Dubs brand include:

• Spicy Garlic: A perfect blend of heat and savory flavor.
• Mango Habanero: Known for its intense, fruity heat that catches many diners off guard.
• Wild: The standard high-heat Buffalo-style sauce.
• Lemon Pepper: A popular dry rub that has seen a recent surge in popularity.
• Buffalo Bleu: A creamy sauce that combines classic Buffalo spice with a bleu cheese tang.

Whether you're ordering Traditional Wings or Boneless Wings, the sauce is the star. The combination of a massive menu, a comfortable Sports Bar atmosphere, and a history rooted in a simple craving for authentic Buffalo cuisine is why B-Dubs remains a powerhouse. The nickname is a testament to the fact that sometimes, the customer knows best, and the easiest way to say a name is often the one that sticks.