Wing Zone featured in Savannah Morning News

Wing Zone was recently featured in Savannah Morning News in an article titled, "Savannah Wing Zone franchise a model for rest of chain."  The article focused on the success of the Wing Zone Savannah location. Jeremy Serls, local Wing Zone owner, discussed the type of success that the location has seen with using Wing Zone’s drive-thru model. Matt Friedman further discussed how Wing Zone was created, and how the brand continues to reinvent itself to stay ahead in the QSR industry.  For the entire article begin below.

Savannah Wing Zone franchise a model for rest of chain
By: Adam Van Brimmer

The scouting trip took Jeremy and Deborah Serls all over Southside Savannah, and every long block revealed another attractive piece of ground on which to build the area’s first Wing Zone franchise.

The route included a pass by the Eisenhower Square shopping center. And there, tucked between McDonald’s and a billiards hall, sat a small building with a double drive-thru home to a coffee shop.

“That looks like a good spot,” Jeremy told his wife. “Too bad it’s taken.”

For first-time franchisees tasked with opening Wing Zone’s first built-from-the-ground-up location, as well as the chain’s second store with a drive-thru, the coffee shop helped the Serlses visualize what their store could look like.

The java business failed not long after, opening the outparcel to new tenants. The Serlses claimed it, knocked down the old building and constructed a similar structure, albeit with just a single drive-thru lane.

Today, nine months after opening, the store is one of the best performing in the 100-plus location Wing Zone chain. Sales are 40 percent above the company average.

The model is the future for the Atlanta-based corporation.

“For years, we had customers saying, ‘We love the products, but we want it faster,’” Wing Zone CEO and co-founder Matt Friedman said. “We’re in a convenience world and adding a drive-thru addresses that demand. And free-standing locations give us more exposure.”   

Wing Zone is Asking You, Flavorholics!

Wing Zone is asking Flavorholics why they love Wing Zone!  We're awarding a free year of Wing Zone for the best Flavorholic video entry on our Facebook page.  Using your smartphone, tell us why you love Wing Zone.  Stumped?  Begin with one of our suggested phrases: 1. “I love FLAVOR NAME because….2.“My favorite Flavor is...3. Or be creative! Wing Zone Flavor in the shot is a plus!  For more information, click here.

Wing Zone featured in Nation's Restaurant News

Wing Zone was recently featured in Nation's Restaurant News in an article titled, "Middle East seen as hot growth market."  In an article focusing on restaurant brands focused on Middle East growth, Matt talked about the Saudi Arabia location, details about its construction compared to traditional locations, and how successful the brand has been in that country. The article, which also included great photos, mentioned all the additional international development and growth Wing Zone has achieved over the past few years.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Middle East seen as hot growth market
By: Mark Brandau

Atlanta-based Wing Zone has nearly 100 restaurants, including four in Panama and one each in the Bahamas and Saudi Arabia. Another location is under construction in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Chief executive Matt Friedman said the 3,000-square-foot Wing Zone in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is the company’s largest unit in the world and is “doing phenomenally.”

“You definitely need the wow factor,” he said. “When people walk in, they want to see this is an American brand. It incorporates a lot of our new prototype [from the United States], but we took it up a notch.”

(Read More)

Wing Zone featured in Lehigh Valley Business Journal

Wing Zone was recently featured in the Lehigh Valley Business Journal in an article titled, "A new twist for franchises." The article focused on the rising trend of entrepreneurs that are looking into franchising as a viable way to start their business career. Nick Powills expanded on the fact that more and more college graduates are turning to franchising as a viable option to start their business career. Further, Nick discussed some of the top brands that are appealing to college students such as Wing Zone. Click here for the entire article or begin below.

A new twist for franchises

By: Stacey Wescoe

There is also an increase in knowledge about the world of franchising. Whereas 20 years ago a college graduate wouldn't know much about franchising, courses on franchising are now being taught in schools. If a student can't find a job upon graduation, he or she can create one by starting a franchise business.

That is why franchises that appeal to college students are on the rise. He said franchise restaurants, such as Toppers Pizza, Pita Pit and Wing Zone, are among the fastest growing franchises. For that reason, he has high hopes for a concept like Pretzel Revolution, which targets students at nearby Kutztown University and is looking to locate franchises in other college towns.

(Read More)

Wing Zone sponsors Wing Eating Contest at the 7th Annual Wing and Rock Festival in Woodstock, GA.

Wing Zone road-tripped to Woodstock, GA this past Saturday to provide the flavorful wings for the 7th Annual Wing and Rock Festival.  The winner of the Wing Eating Contest, Jon Smink, took home the title with a whopping 27 wings in three minutes!

Wing Zone featured in Colorado Springs Business Journal

Wing Zone was recently featured in the Colorado Springs Business Journal in an article titled, "Wing Zone to open restaurant on Fort Carson."  The article focused on the Wing Zone opening that happened on Monday, May 14th. Further, both Matt and Janice expanded on Wing Zone’s connection with the Army & Air Force Exchange Services. Matt talked about the partnership and how AAFES has helped plans to open up 15 more restaurants on military installations by the end of the year. Click here for the entire article or see below.

Wing Zone to open restaurant on Fort Carson
By: Monica Mendoza

Wing Zone restaurant will open Monday in Fort Carson’s mini-mall.

The sit-down restaurant offers 17 buffalo chicken wing flavors and will serve draft beer.

Wing Zone CEO and founder Matt Friedman has partnered with the Army & Air Force Exchange Services to open Wing Zone restaurants on four military bases. The company has plans to open 15 more restaurants on military installations by the end of the year, Friedman said.

Landing a partnership with AAFES is big, he said. AAFES operates restaurants and commissary services for all branches of the military in the U.S. and in 30 countries worldwide.


“They’ve said to me, they have big plans for us, domestically and internationally,” Friedman said. “Why Wing Zone fits with AAFES is that we can get into a small footprint, which is important to them.”

In this case, AAFES is the franchise owner. Fort Carson Wing Zone store manager Janice Loundagin said this restaurant is unique among the others offered on base because it has its own sit-down area, instead of the more typical cafeteria, food-court style.

(Read More)

Flavor Madness!

March Madness is upon us and Wing Zone is right there along with it. Fans can visit our Facebook page to enter our Flavor Madness sweepstakes for a chance to win a $50 Wing Zone Gift Card. One lucky winner will be chosen at random, to win a $50 Gift Card while 64 other lucky winners will also be chosen at random to win $10 Wing Zone Gift Card. Sweepstakes ends March 15th, 2012 at noon!

As an extra bonus, fans are also able to print out their very own Wing Zone Flavor Madness Bracket. Flavorholics can now follow their teams all the way to the Championship.

Who do you have going all the way Flavorholics?