Despite Calendar Shift, Buffalo Wild Wings CEO Optimistic for 2016

Buffalo Wild Wings (NASDAQ:BWLD) CEO Sally Smith has a message for company shareholders. During an interview with the FOX Business Network’s Mornings with Maria she said: “Our stock is typically volatile around earnings… look at the long-term growth plans for Buffalo Wild Wings.”

Speaking of long-term growth, Smith forecasted earnings exceeding 20% in 2016. “We are looking for a good fourth-quarter and a number of things came together this third-quarter -- a shift in the calendar on the sports. A little higher cost related to an acquisition we did in August--but for long-term I’m really pleased with where we are performing,” she said.

Although the calendar shift led to a week less of football and fewer pay-per-view events, Smith is optimistic business will pick up.

“We do expect a pickup through the year-end. The calendar and the games and how the lay out affect us a little bit -- and we did call out in earnings that we have a shift in Halloween and Christmas. We’ll pick up that additional week of football in the first-quarter of 2016. We still think we are a compelling story it is where you want to watch the game -- and we are always looking for great matchups. Certainly the first game of the World Series going into extra innings definitely helps.

Smith explained how the untethering of traditional media has resulted in more customers.

“That really provides great detail on what compels people to come to Buffalo Wild Wings. If you’re not getting cable at home, if you’re not able to get that sports package or watch the game, it is a reason to come into Buffalo Wild Wings and that’s what our guests are telling us.”