Elite Development: Wing Zone Signs 10-Unit Deal with Army & Air Force Exchange Service

Delivery/Take-Out Chicken Wing Franchise Positioned as First Wing Concept to Deliver on Base

Turning its head to the down economy, Wing Zone, a 100-unit chicken wing delivery/take-out specialist and the nation’s authority of flavor and ambassadors of sauce, has signed a 10-unit deal with Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). With the signing, Wing Zone joins AAFES impressive portfolio that includes 2,311 restaurants, including Burger King, Taco Bell, Cinnabon and Popeye’s.

“We have had a big 2009 and our first double-digit franchisee signing marks the proven beginning to our focused multi-unit/multi-brand growth initiative,” said Matt Friedman, CEO/Founder of Wing Zone. “To have an established franchisee like AAFES join our system is further proof that the advancements that we made internally are executable externally.”

Throughout 2008 and early 2009, Wing Zone worked on positioning its systems, operations, and model as a viable concept for prospective franchisees with high-profile resumes. AAFES, a joint military activity providing quality merchandise and service to active duty, guard and reserve military, military retirees, and their families, is proof that Wing Zone’s improvements were impressive, and viable for them to become its first franchisee to sign a double-digit deal.

In preparation for expanding into unconventional locations/systems, Wing Zone tested an improved model over the last year, designed to be more universal while strengthening its delivery systems. The signing of AAFES provides Wing Zone with the opportunity to rollout a smaller footprint as well as be the first chicken wing concept to deliver on base.

“We have mastered delivery through our more than 100 units and our almost 20-year experience as a company,” Friedman said. “We are confident delivering our wings on base that active military and their families will get the freshest and highest quality wings fast.”

The first of 10 AAFES units is scheduled to open in second quarter of 2010.

“This is our first step into unconventional sites, yet proof that our model is compatible with different types of locations,” Friedman said.