Famous Anchor Bar to Franchise

I saw an article about this in the Rochester paper yesterday, but had to search the Buffalo News to find a posted article I could share here.

Yes, Buffalo's Anchor Bar, famous for "inventing" the buffalo chicken wing has announced their plan to offer franchises, spawning a new chain. Yup, that's right, a dreaded chain...

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20051004/1061255.asp

Of course, they said that they will ensure that the same cooking and quality procedures are followed so you can get a real buffalo wing at any location. Yeah, I'm not sure I believe that either.

I am sure that Bill and TJ Palmer had that same vision for continued quality. Unfortunately, I don't think that any of their current restaurants embody the spirit of what was once known as "T.J. Applebee's Rx for Edibles & Elixirs," their first restaurant, back in the early '80s.

This does not bode well.

I guess when the Bellissimos passed on the new owners forgot their legacy and decided to make it a chain. Hope it works, but it's still a sad day.

quote:

Originally posted by oneiron339

I guess when the Bellissimos passed on the new owners forgot their legacy and decided to make it a chain. Hope it works, but it's still a sad day.

According to the article, Edith Bellissimo, the widow of one of the founders son's is still co-owner of the Anchor bar and a partner in the franchise corporation.

Get over your snobbery. Chipotle was owned by MCDONALDS for awhile and produced high-quality, earth-friendly food.

So let me see, the franchisee gets the name and some decor, buys his beer and booze locally (of necessity), and has to use their wing sauce.

To me, the Anchor traditional wing sauce tastes like margerine and Frank's Hot Sauce, and that is not a good thing. Better can be had.

I wonder how many folks outside of foodie/roadfoodie circles (and who don't live in the Buffalo area) know of and care about the Anchor brand? Is Hooter's running scared?

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Oh damn, caught by another three-year-old thread.

It's easily been 15 years since we've been to the Anchor--whenever we found ourselves in Buffalo, we'd eat there and always loved it--not just for the wings, their meanu had some really good Italian-American dishes. Then, the last time we were there, the food was terrible. Never went back.

quote:

Originally posted by MiamiDon
Oh damn, caught by another three-year-old thread.

Not only that but Berndog, the OP, passed away a while back

Go to Duff's. Better wings anyway!