Wing Zone featured in Entrepreneur Magazine

Reporter Jason Daley of Entrepreneur Magazine spoke with CEO and Founding Partner of Wing Zone Matt Friedman to learn about Wing Zone’s international expansion plans. What resulted was an article called “No Boundaries: Many American Franchises Are Not Only Surviving The Recession But Thriving in it by Expanding Their Operations Globally,” which published in the May edition of Entrepreneur Magazine. The article focuses on how the U.S.-based chicken wing takeout/delivery franchise has spent two years developing its international expansion strategy and currently has more than 50 deals underway globally.

Wing Zone Invited to Represent US Franchising in India

Joins 11 US Franchisors on Trade Mission

India has become one of the most fertile countries for business development over the past 20 years and now ranks as the 11th largest economy in the world. To take advantage of unprecedented growth opportunities in the subcontinent, the United States Department of Commerce has hand-picked 12 US franchisors to undertake a trade mission to build critical partnerships in Mumbai, Hyderabad and New Delhi. Wing Zone, a national chicken wing take out/delivery concept based in Atlanta, FL, will be one of the 12 franchisors making the trip starting April 10.

“We’re thrilled to have been invited to be a part of this unique and exciting business opportunity,” said Hair Parra, Vice President of International Development. “India is a rapidly growing market with a food and beverage sector worth approximately $280 million. We’d like to establish a foothold in the market to compliment our growth in the US.”

Earlier this year, Wing Zone pioneered uncharted territory by taking its concept international for the first time to Panama. This expansion was the first time a chicken wing delivery chain stepped outside of the United States. It has other agreements in place for international development in Japan and the Bahamas as well and is constantly looking for new opportunities to expand abroad.

India is a particularly strong growth market for franchises, which constitute about 17 percent of the retail sector and at a 30 percent annual growth rate. As of 2010 there were 1200 franchisors in India, with a quarter originating outside the country or having majority holdings in the United States. The future is just as bright, with the franchising industry reaching an expected value of $20 billion in 2020.

“The time is right for a brand like ours,” Friedman says. “People everywhere are looking for a business concept that is fresh and unique. We’re hoping to network with potential multi-unit operators to partner with and to capitalize on this huge opportunity in India.”