Buffalo Wings & Rings Rolls Out Virtual Brand, Ghost Kitchen Concept

What started as an undercover experiment at a festival has turned into a virtual brand and ghost kitchen concept for Cincinnati-based sports restaurant franchise Buffalo Wings & Rings.

The concept, NBL CKN (pronounced Noble Chicken), first appeared in 2019 as a way to gauge consumers' responses to new flavors and a new name. Later, the 85-unit Buffalo Wings & Rings revealed it was behind the NBL CKN concept that's marketed to consumers through its website and social media. Consumers can place their orders through nblckn.com. NBL CKN orders are integrated through OLO and into the POS.

"This is at our Crestview and Oakley location and rolling the integration to other locations soon," explained William Stone, social media manager for Buffalo Wings & Rings.

Buffalo Wings & Rings menu items are available for delivery through its website and through third-party marketplaces. 

Today, NBL CKN sandwiches and tenders are available to more customers through delivery and/or pickup services at select BW&R locations: Crestview, Oakley, Cincinnati and Chicago. The brand plans to expand the ghost kitchen to more of its restaurants in the coming months.

“Really, we were trying to prove that even though we are a chain, BW&R can dish out quality just like the independent shops,” said Stone. 

Established in 1984 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Buffalo Wings & Rings is the ultimate sports restaurant franchise providing a club-level experience