Wing Zone founder sees Tampa as a proving ground

Wing Zone were recently featured in an article in The Tampa Bay Business Journal titled, "Wing Zone founder sees Tampa as a proving ground". The article tells the story of how Wing Zone first began in the kitchen of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity House then went to be shut down by the University. Upon graduation, founders Matt and Adam opened up a legitimate business in Gainesville and have now almost 100 locations. Click here to read the article or begin below.

"Wing Zone founder sees Tampa as a proving ground"
By Eric Snider

Wing Zone co-founders Adam Scott (left) and Matt Friedman

Matt Friedman is certainly pleased that a Wing Zone is finally opening in Tampa.

After all, he and his friend Adam Scott founded the restaurant chain a couple hours north on University of Florida's fraternity row, in 1991 - under circumstances that were less than legit.

CEO Friedman will come down from corporate HQ in Atlanta to attend the Wing Zone opening in New Tampa on Nov. 15, bringing the total number of locations to nearly a hundred.

"We see Tampa as the gateway to the west coast of Florida," he said. "If you want to be in that area to stay, you've got to prove yourself in Tampa."

Click here to read the entire article.

Wing Zone flies into St. Louis Market

Wing Zone were recently featured in an article in the St. Louis Business Journal titled, "Wing Zone flies into St. Louis market." The article, featuring our own Matt Friedman discusses the history behind the Wing Zone concept and the steps needed to open a franchise with Wing Zone. St. Louis' newest (and first) Wing Zone is owned by Roya Moshiri and her husband Monte Dover and the article also discusses their experience in the Franchise industry. Click here to read the article or begin below.

"Wing Zone flies into St. Louis market"
By E.B. Solomont

Is there a chicken war brewing? 

Wing Zone, a restaurant concept based in Atlanta, is set to open its first St. Louis location next month, just weeks after Raising Cane's debuted its first stand-along store in the area, located in Des Peres less than a half-mile from Chick-fil-A.

The Wing Zone restaurant will be located at 1643 S. Jefferson Ave., in a shopping center that was redeveloped by Green Street St. Louis for $8 million. (The Jefferson Commons shopping center is also home to a new Save-A-Lot, which opened last week.)

In an increasingly crowded chicken field, Wing Zone bills itself as a fast-casual, cook-to-order concept. Most of its business is takeout, but for customers who stay and eat, servers bring the food to their tables. 

"People want the quality of a sit-down restaurant but want the value of a lower price," said CEO Matt Friedman, who co-founded the company as a college student.

Click here to read the entire article.