Wing Zone featured in News & Record

Wing Zone was recently featured in an article in the News-Record titled “Wing Zone opening more North Carolina locations,” which was published online on Sept. 30. The article, written by Carl Wilson, provides details of Wing Zone’s plans to increase the number of restaurants in the Greensboro area and includes quotes from Wing Zone CEO Matt Friedman. A portion of the article is included below and can be read in its entirety by clicking here.

Wing Zone opening more North Carolina locations
By Carl Wilson

When University of Florida students Matt Friedman and Adam Scott started selling Buffalo wings out of their fraternity house kitchen in 1991, they probably never dreamed feeding hungry students would become a business of 100 franchises in 25 states.

Friedman, CEO of Wing Zone, unveiled plans for expansion in North Carolina, including Greensboro.

Friedman says there are some “preliminary and solid opportunities” in North Carolina. Seven to nine new locations are possible in the next 18 to 24 months, including a Greensboro location next year.

“We’ve had some growth there and decided to get back there,” Friedman says.

Wing Zone franchises have opened in several major North Carolina markets including Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Raleigh. A location opened at 2528 S. Church St. in Burlington in August.

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Flavorholics Celebrate: Wing Zone Launches Next Flavor Revolution with Flavor Rubs

Wing Zone, one of the nation’s fastest growing chicken wing takeout/delivery chains, is heating up its flavor profile with three new Flavor Rubs. The new flavor rubs are now available to consumers in 10 test markets across the nation.

In addition to Wing Zone’s 15 award-winning flavor choices, consumers are now able to expand their taste buds with new Flavor Rub flavors including Blackend Voodoo, Cool Ranch and Sea Salt and Vinegar. Unlike the traditional buffalo wing sauces, Wing Zone’s Flavor Rubs are composed entirely of dry spices, offering Wing Zone consumers an explosion of flavor with less mess. The Flavor Rubs can also be added to other Wing Zone menu items including hamburgers, sandwiches and chicken fingers.

“Call it our taste and hunger stimulus package,” said Matt Licht, owner of the East Meadows, NY Flavor Rub test location. “We are pulling out the red carpet for wing eaters all over the nation. I can promise you that once you taste our product, you will be a customer for life.”

Wing Zone has become famous over recent years by not only topping the 100-unit mark and releasing its cluster growth strategy in which multiple Wing Zone locations will open in surrounding communities, but also being featured on the Food Channel, TODAY Show, ESPN and in USA Today, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal for its founder’s story and flavor bursting sauces.

Founders Matt Friedman and Adam Scott created the chain that dares you to not crave more of its tasty wings in 1991 at their University of Florida fraternity kitchen, where they cooked up wings and homemade flavors to deliver the award winning Buffalo chicken wings all over the campus. Soon thereafter, the founders began expanding their concept, later settling on Atlanta to headquarter their franchising efforts.

To support Wing Zone’s progressive saucing style, Wing Zone Flavorholics who try the flavors are encouraged to tell the Wing Zone-nation all about it via its Social Media outlets. Friedman said the chain will interact residents in their personal space, daily, via these outlets.

"We encourage our friends to follow us, Tweet us, friend us and interact with us via Facebook, Twitter and YouTube," Friedman said. "We are looking forward to connecting with Wing Zone Flavorholics to find out just how delicious they think our Flavor Rubs are."

Franchisee Profile: Deb & Jeremy Serls of Savannah, GA

Deb and Jeremy Serls have a passion for wings. As self-proclaimed “wing freaks,” Deb and Jeremy have tried every wing they can get their hands on and have never had one compare to the delicious flavor of Wing Zone. After Jeremy was laid-off from his position with the Hershey Company, the couple knew it was the perfect opportunity to move closer to family and open the business that had always wanted – a Wing Zone.

What was your career before Wing Zone?
My husband Jeremy and I met in Australia. I’m from New Zealand and he is originally from Pennsylvania. He was there studying abroad and I was working within the hospitality industry. We fell in love and decided to be together so I moved to the United States. Once I arrived Jeremy began working for The Hershey Company. The job moved us around a bit and we were able to move to Savannah. After a year in Savannah Jeremy got a promotion and we moved to Phoenix. We lived in Phoenix for over two years until Jeremy was laid-off by Hershey which gave us the opportunity to move back to savannah and be closer to family and it was the perfect place to open a Wing Zone.
How did you learn about Wing Zone?
Jeremy’s father owned a business in West Palm Beach, FL that was right next to a Wing Zone. Jeremy and I are wing freaks. We absolutely love them and had never had such a great wing with the variety of flavors that Wing Zone offered.

What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?
We didn’t have any idea what we were doing in terms of opening a wing restaurant. Franchising with Wing Zone gave us the opportunity to own a business in an industry where we didn’t have much experience. We didn’t want to spend all of our finances on the trial and error associated with owning a business for the first time. Franchising is great because it’s a recipe and if you follow it closely it will equal success.
What will make your Wing Zone different?
Jeremy and I have tried a lot of the wings in the Savannah area but none compare to Wing Zone. We will be offering a drive-thru as well which is a great convenience to customers. We are owner-operators, so there is that extra care behind our product. Jeremy will be hands on in the store and I’ll be hitting the pavement making sure everyone in Savannah knows that Wing Zone is here!