Taking Ownership: Wing Zone to Pioneer Chicken Wing Delivery in Panama

Delivery/Take-Out Chicken Wing Franchise Expands Internationally for First Time and Selects Panama as First International Growth Market

On August 10, five franchise partners, Diqueos Tagaropulos, Manuel Alvarez, Salomon Diaz, Adalberto Ferrer and Gianni Achurra are pioneering unchartered territory, as they are bringing to Panama the first chicken wing delivery chain to step outside of the United States.

While many brands are in limbo, shuffling to strategize their economic stability plan, Wing Zone, a U.S-based, 100-unit chicken wing delivery/take-out specialist and authority of flavor and ambassadors of sauce, is progressing forward and stepping into international waters.

The first of five Panama locations is expected to open August 10, 2010 by experienced entrepreneurs, Tagaropulos, Alvarez, Diaz, Ferrer, and Achurra. The other four locations will open over the next several years.

Matt Friedman, CEO and Founder of Wing Zone, noted that the popularity of Buffalo chicken wings in the states prompted Wing Zone to think outside-of-the-box in their development strategy. “We sold more than 47 million wings last year,” he said, “why shouldn’t consumers of all cultures be able to experience our flavors?”

In late 2009, Friedman and the Wing Zone team began talking with Tagaropulos, Alvarez, Diaz, Ferrer and Achurra about bringing Wing Zone to Panama. The franchise partners signed a development deal late last year, which states their intention to develop five Wing Zone locations across Panama over the next several years.

To prepare for the expansion into Panama, Wing Zone took a good look in the mirror to create a stronger identity with consumers in Panama and is launching a revamped footprint to fit in with the country’s demand. The new footprint will include a new quick casual dining experience with 56 seats.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Friedman, noting that Wing Zone has created an international distribution method to maintain consistent flavor and taste. “Not only have we repositioned ourselves to better connect with multi-unit/multi-brand franchisees by simplifying our operations, systems, branding, and marketing, but we have created a concept that is friendly, worldwide.”

“We have been a good franchise brand for 10 years. Now we will turn great,” Friedman said.