Sally Smith

President & CEO
Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.

As President and Chief Executive Officer of Minneapolis-based Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. Sally J. Smith leads one of the nation’s fastest-growing national restaurant chains, which includes more than 785 restaurants in 45 states and two countries.

Smith joined Buffalo Wild Wings as Chief Financial Officer in 1994 when it was a fledgling chain of 35 restaurants, mostly in Ohio. With her keen financial and leadership skills and a healthy dose of tenacity, Smith worked to establish a sound infrastructure and build the talented team that has helped the company grow from a regional chain to a thriving national brand.

Smith’s exceptional achievements and leadership were recognized by the restaurant industry in 2010 when she received the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) Operator of the Year Award.  In 2009, she was honored with another one of the industry’s highest awards, the Gold Plate Award, presented by the International Food Manufacturer’s Association (IFMA).

Other prestigious honors and awards earned by Smith include: Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Women in Business Career Achievement Award for 2010; Restaurants & Institutions magazine’s Restaurant Executive of the Year in 2005; the Sioux Award, the highest honor given to alumni at the University of North Dakota, in 2004; Nation’s Restaurant News Golden Chain Award in 2003; North Dakota Innovator of the Year in 2002; and Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year for the Midwest Region in 2001.

Under Smith’s leadership, Buffalo Wild Wings also has received numerous awards and distinctions. In 2010, Entrepreneur named the company to their Fastest Growing Franchises list and Technomic ranked the brand third on their list of Top 10 Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chains with sales over $200 million. In addition, Buffalo Wild Wings earned rankings on Forbes magazine’s list of 200 Best Small Companies from 2007 through 2010 and Fortune magazine’s 100 Fastest Growing Companies list in 2009. Restaurant and Institutions selected Buffalo Wild Wings as Chain of the Year in 2007.

Prior to joining Buffalo Wild Wings, Smith sharpened her business acumen with positions at the international accounting and consulting firm, KPMG, LLP, and during her 11 years at the national franchise company, Dahlberg, Inc. (now Miracle-Ear, Inc.), where she ended her tenure as Chief Financial Officer.

A native of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Smith is a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Accounting, and she is a CPA.  She serves as the 2011 Chairman of the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors.  She is a director of Alerus Financial Corporation and also is a member of World Presidents’ Organization and Women Corporate Directors.

What do you think will be the biggest industry trend in the last half of 2011?
I think we’ll continue to see food trucks growing in popularity along with the desire of guests to know where their food is from.

What is the single greatest factor in the success of your business?
Without a doubt, it’s our team members across 45 states who are responsible for our success.  They bring passion and dedication to serving our guests every day.

How has participation in FRLA positively affected your business?
Being a member of the FRLA keeps us informed on the issues facing restaurateurs throughout Florida.  
The FRLA gives all of us a voice to discuss proposed legislation with local and state officials.

Is there anything you would like to share with Florida’s hospitality industry members?
Get involved!  You will find a great team at the FRLA who can help you run better restaurants, give you the tools to grow your business and keep you informed.

Has your business strategy changed over the few years?
We’ve really tried to stay focused on the guest experience at Buffalo Wild Wings.  Back to basics – hot wings hot, cold beer cold, and sporting events on every TV and big screen.