The long-dark Fuddruckers off 290 in northwest Houston is getting a spicy second act. Buffalo Wild Wings plans to convert the shuttered burger joint into a roughly 6,000 square foot sports bar and wing spot, bringing a national restaurant name back to a busy stretch of Northwest Freeway. The buildout is aiming to be ready in time for the fall 2026 season, which could make the new location a game day magnet along the corridor.
Permit Shows Timeline And Budget
According to WhatNow, a permit filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation outlines a conversion of the closed Fuddruckers into a Buffalo Wild Wings. The filing pegs the estimated project cost at about $450,000 and lays out a construction window that starts by mid April and wraps by the end of October. That schedule tracks with the plan for a fall 2026 opening in Greater Houston.
Operator Confirms Progress
In an interview with WhatNow, Jae Yoo, who is named on the permit, "confirmed the Buffalo Wild Wings location is in progress" but declined to share further details at the time of publication. The reporting identifies the project as a nearly 6,000 square foot conversion on the 290 corridor. Additional permits and contractor filings are expected to sharpen the construction timeline in the coming weeks.
What The Brand Brings
Buffalo Wild Wings is built around wings with an extensive lineup of sauces and dry rubs. The chain lists 26 signature sauces and seasonings on its website, paired with burgers, sandwiches and shareable appetizers aimed squarely at sports crowds. Buffalo Wild Wings has been part of the Inspire Brands portfolio since Arby's Restaurant Group completed an acquisition in 2018, a move that created a larger multi-brand operator focused on growth and franchise expansion. Inspire Brands described the deal as a way to scale the concept within a bigger restaurant platform.
Local Context On The Site
The property at 13010 Northwest Freeway most recently operated as a Fuddruckers that is now listed as permanently closed, so the conversion will reuse a high-visibility retail footprint along the 290. MapQuest shows the Fuddruckers listing at thatxxxxxxxxx address as closed. Buffalo Wild Wings has remained active in the region, and a Missouri City location opened last year, signaling continued franchise investment in Greater Houston. Community Impact reported on that opening and the brand's local footprint.
What To Watch For Next
With permits pointing to mid April construction starts and an October completion, a fall 2026 launch remains the working target for the new Buffalo Wild Wings. As the franchisee moves from permitting into active construction, expect the usual signals to follow, including exterior signage, hiring notices and eventually an announced grand opening date.
