Restaurant chains that specialize in wings, pizza and beer have launched National Football League promotions to capture the game-day spirit that seemed months ago to be lost to a prolonged labor dispute.

Buffalo Wild Wings began lobbying the NFL and the NFL Players Association to end the lockout when it began in March by circulating a “Save Our Season” petition to its Facebook fans. More than 45,000 signed. Football games are significant traffic-drivers for the Minneapolis-based chain, which has more than 780 units.

The 2011-2012 NFL season began on-time Thursday, and Buffalo Wild Wings is honoring its pledge to give away six wings every game day in September to every fan that signed the petition. Eligible fans can download a free-wing coupon from the brand’s Facebook page.

“Our restaurant teams are ready to deliver a great game-day experience and serve up more than 270,000 free wings,” Kathy Benning, executive vice president of marketing and brand development, said. “We’re wrapping up another season of fantasy draft parties in our restaurants, and with all the pro and college football rivalries kicking off this week, we’re more thrilled than ever to be the place to watch all the action.”

Buffalo Wild Wings also is running its 13-week Tablegating Challenge on the location-based smart-phone app SCVNGR.

Louisville, Ky.-based Papa John’s, marked its second season as official pizza sponsor of the NFL with the launch of its Million Pizza Giveaway earlier this week in anticipation of football season. The contest will award 60,000 large, one-topping pizzas at random every week to members of the chain’s Papa Rewards loyalty club.