Notable TABC and Dram Shop Law Violations by the Restaurant
Dram shop laws impart liability on a licensed alcohol provider who knowingly provides, sells, or serves an obviously intoxicated person or a minor, and that person’s intoxication causes harm. Buffalo Wild Wings has been at the center of a number of dram shop-related violations including the death of two teens.
At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland, & Briggs, we represent individuals who have been injured or lost a loved one due to another person’s wrongdoing. We fight to ensure that ALL potentially liable parties are held accountable. If you were injured by an intoxicated person, such as in a drunk driving accident, contact our office at (713) 751-0025 to schedule a free consultation.
What Is Buffalo Wild Wings?
Buffalo Wild Wings is a casual dining restaurant located throughout the United States. It is known for its wide variety of wings and bar-like atmosphere. The chain has 115 locations in Texas, including in the cities of Houston, Katy, and Beaumont.
The restaurant has come under hot water after a series of Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) violations. From administrative sanctions related to serving minors to criminal complaints related to providing alcohol to an intoxicated person, the bar and grill continues to face legal issues.
What Types of Violations Does Buffalo Wild Wings Have?
According to the TABC, there were 10 criminal complaints and 7 administrative violations filed against the company in 2022. Investigations ranged from a failure to provide documents to more serious allegations of misconduct. Many of the inquiries were related to the restaurant’s serving of minors and intoxicated persons.
Most recent alleged violations against Buffalo Wild Wing locations in TX:
- Amarillo location: Refilling and serving an intoxicated person
- Pasadena location: Serving a minor
- San Antonio location: Serving a minor
- Temple location: Failure to timely provide records
- Shenandoah location: Failure to pay local fees/tax
- Beaumont location: Breach of the peace
- Tyler location: Selling to an intoxicated person
- Amarillo location: Refilling
- Houston location: Possession of distilled spirits without ID stamp and selling during prohibited hours
- Katy location: Selling to an intoxicated person
The allegations against the restaurants are serious and can result in liability, particularly if the minor or intoxicated person that was served injures another person.
Lawsuit Filed Against Buffalo Wild Wings
A $7 million lawsuit was filed against the bar and grill after two teens were killed. As reported by NBC 5, legal documents indicate that 40-year-old Michael Nason drank at the Wichita Falls location before getting in a deadly head-on collision. The drunk driving accident killed two teens. Nason also died in the crash and his passenger was injured.
Another wrongful death action was filed after a motorcyclist was killed leaving the Weatherford location. As reported by the Weatherford Democrat, 27-year-old Daniel Bisson was allegedly “obviously intoxicated” when he left the bar. He wrecked his motorcycle just over a block away from the restaurant.
Lastly, a dram shop lawsuit was filed in Beaumont, TX after a young man who had been drinking at several bars including Buffalo Wild Wings died. According to the Beaumont Enterprise, the car that the 23-year-old was a passenger in veered off the road for an unknown reason. He was found with a gunshot wound to the head. The driver was hospitalized for injuries.
Injured in a Drunk Driving Accident? Contact Our Office.
Were you or a loved one injured in a drunk driving accident? You may be able to hold the bar or restaurant where they were drinking liable under the state’s dram shop laws. Contact our office at (713) 751-0025 to schedule a free consultation
