Introduction
If you or your spouse has retirement funds in the Buffalo Wild Wings 401(k) Plan, dividing those funds properly in a divorce is crucial. Like many workplace retirement accounts, this plan must be split using a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, or QDRO. Without one, the non-employee spouse cannot legally receive their share. At PeacockQDROs, we’ve handled thousands of QDROs, including those involving 401(k) plans for business entities like this one. We’re here to guide you every step of the way so you don’t have to go it alone.
Plan-Specific Details for the Buffalo Wild Wings 401(k) Plan
Before drafting a QDRO, it’s important to gather key details about the plan. Here are the specifics we know about the Buffalo Wild Wings 401(k) Plan:
- Plan Name: Buffalo Wild Wings 401(k) Plan
- Plan Sponsor: Thunderbird LLC dba buffalo wild wings
- Plan Address Identifier: 20250721095611NAL0003314098001 (as of 2024-01-01)
- EIN: Unknown (must be obtained for the QDRO)
- Plan Number: Unknown (required for QDRO submission)
- Industry: General Business
- Organization Type: Business Entity
- Plan Status: Active
- Participants: Unknown
- Plan Year & Effective Date: Unknown
- Assets Held: Unknown
When preparing a QDRO, any missing information like the EIN or Plan Number must be confirmed with the plan administrator or through the plan’s summary description. These items are required for the court and the administrator to accept and process the order.
Understanding QDROs for the Buffalo Wild Wings 401(k) Plan
A QDRO is a court order that allows a retirement plan like the Buffalo Wild Wings 401(k) Plan to transfer a portion of a participant’s account to their former spouse (the “alternate payee”) without triggering early withdrawal penalties or taxation—if done correctly. However, not all QDROs are created equal. For a 401(k) such as this, there are several plan-specific complexities that must be addressed.
Key Parties Involved
- Participant: The spouse who owns the 401(k)
- Alternate Payee: The spouse receiving a share via QDRO
- Plan Administrator: The entity administering the Buffalo Wild Wings 401(k) Plan, likely under the direction of Thunderbird LLC dba buffalo wild wings or a third-party recordkeeper
Important Considerations in Dividing This 401(k) Plan
1. Employee vs. Employer Contributions
Most 401(k) plans include both employee deferrals and employer matches or profit-sharing contributions. In a divorce, the QDRO can allocate just the employee’s portion or include the employer contributions, depending on the agreement. However, employer contributions are often subject to a vesting schedule. If a portion of the employer match is unvested, it may not be available to divide—and those funds may be forfeited entirely when the participant leaves the company.
2. Vesting Schedules and Forfeitures
The Buffalo Wild Wings 401(k) Plan may contain a vesting schedule for employer contributions, which needs to be verified with plan documents. In the QDRO, any reference to employer contributions must clearly reflect whether they are vested, expected to vest in the future, or subject to forfeiture. Mistakes here can lead to disputes or even rejection by the plan administrator.
3. Account Type: Roth vs. Traditional
This plan may hold both Roth (after-tax) and traditional (pre-tax) 401(k) funds. The QDRO must specify whether these account types are being divided proportionally or separately. Mixing tax types inappropriately can create taxation problems for the alternate payee down the road.
4. Outstanding 401(k) Loans
Many participants borrow against their 401(k) accounts. The loan balance is typically counted against the total account value when determining the divisible balance. It’s important to address whether the loan reduces the divisible share—or whether the alternate payee’s share is calculated without accounting for the loan. The QDRO must clarify who is responsible for repayment and how the loan affects the award amount.
5. Gains, Losses, and Adjustment Language
Most QDROs include language that accounts for investment gains and losses from the division date until the distribution date. Without this, the alternate payee may receive too much or too little. For example, if the stock market drops after the division date, the alternate payee could end up with more than their fair share unless gains and losses are factored in appropriately.
Why Proper QDRO Drafting Matters
Mistakes in QDRO language can delay processing—or worse, permanently affect your retirement benefits. At PeacockQDROs, we don’t just draft the document. We handle the entire process—from pre-approval (if required), to court filing, to submission and follow-up with the plan. That’s what sets us apart from firms that just email you a form and leave the rest up to you.
We maintain near-perfect reviews and pride ourselves on a track record of doing things the right way. Dividing retirement is too important to cut corners.
Common Mistakes We Help You Avoid
To understand what can go wrong with QDROs, visit our list of common QDRO mistakes. Many of these involve errors in language, missing deadlines, or failing to coordinate with plan documents. For the Buffalo Wild Wings 401(k) Plan, we make sure the QDRO complies with the specific plan’s terms and ERISA requirements.
How Long Does a QDRO for This Plan Take?
The timeline can vary depending on the complexity of the plan and how responsive the plan administrator is. We’ve outlined the 5 key factors that determine how long a QDRO takes. For 401(k) plans like this, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, especially if plan documents are hard to access or the administrator has strict preapproval rules.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Before we can draft your QDRO for the Buffalo Wild Wings 401(k) Plan, we’ll need a few key items:
- Full name and address of both parties
- Copy of your divorce judgment or property settlement agreement
- Any information about plan loans or account balances (obtained via participant account statements)
- If available, the Plan’s Summary Plan Description or QDRO procedures
- Plan Number and EIN, which may be available through HR or plan documents
Work with a QDRO Attorney You Can Trust
At PeacockQDROs, we specialize in these orders. Unlike many firms, we don’t just prepare the document and send you on your way. We manage the details from start to finish, including:
- Reviewing your divorce judgment
- Drafting a compliant QDRO
- Obtaining preapproval from the administrator, if required
- Filing the order with the court
- Sending the signed QDRO to the plan administrator
Our full-service process ensures nothing gets missed, and you get your share of the Buffalo Wild Wings 401(k) Plan as quickly and correctly as possible.
Final Thoughts
Dividing a 401(k) plan like the Buffalo Wild Wings 401(k) Plan shouldn’t be guesswork. With vesting schedules, loan balances, and Roth vs. traditional accounts to consider, every word of your QDRO matters. Let a professional handle it from start to finish—and avoid the delays and frustration of getting it wrong.
Need Help?
If your divorce was in California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, or North Dakota, and you have questions about qualified domestic relations orders or dividing retirement assets like the Buffalo Wild Wings 401(k) Plan, contact PeacockQDROs. We specialize in QDROs and have successfully processed thousands of orders from start to finish.
Get the answers you need—explore our QDRO resources or reach out for personalized help if you’re in one of our service states.