Buffalo Wild Wings is coming to downtown Birmingham.

The standalone restaurant is expected to open in the Parkside District about two blocks from Regions Field and the University of Alabama at Birmingham in early October, said Tim Spencer, director of operations for the franchise group Southern Wings, which owns eight Buffalo Wild Wings.

"If you are a sports fan, now you have a place to go," he said.

The Buffalo Wild Wings will have a capacity of about 300 and be able to host large groups before or after Birmingham Barons games, Spencer said.

The restaurant is partnering with UAB football and the Barons, he said. The football games and Barons away games will be streamed at the downtown Buffalo Wild Wings.

"We can keep a really local feel and still be a national chain that is really popular," Spencer said.

Southern Wings began looking for a downtown or Southside location about two or three years ago, he said. The site at the corner of 4th Avenue South and 15th Street South was perfect because it provided adequate parking. It's also contributing to the continued revitalization of the Parkside District.

"UAB is a big player in our decision because the school has grown so much," Spencer said, adding last fall UAB had it largest-ever freshman class.

New apartment buildings and hotels are also popping up in the Parkside District making the location in the former Forbes Distributing building attractive to Buffalo Wild Wings, he said.

"We feel this store will be a huge success," Spencer said.

Buffalo Wild Wings expects to begin hiring in early September, he said. The restaurant expects to hire 130 and 150 employees before the opening.

Signs will go up at the Fourth Avenue location when hiring has started, or job seekers can inquire at the Gardendale restaurant, Spencer said.