Wing Zone targets Buffalo market

Just today Buffalo Business First published an article called, “Wing Zone eyes Buffalo market,” which discusses Wing Zone’s interest in expanding to Buffalo. The article was built from an in-depth interview with Adam Scott. This is a great article discussing Wing Zone’s participation in the National Buffalo Wing Festival and also its future development potential in the market. Check it out:

Wing Zone eyes Buffalo market
Business First of Buffalo - by James Fink

Next weekend's National Buffalo Wing Festival may open the door for a restaurant chain to enter the local market.

The founders of Atlanta-based Wing Zone will be at the festival, set for Sept. 4 and Sept. 5 at Coca-Cola Field, to not only showcase their wings but also to possibly meet with potential franchisees. Expanding into the Buffalo Niagara marketplace is at the top of Wing Zone's wish list.

"We'd do it tomorrow, if we had the right franchisee," said Adam Scott, Wing Zone co-founder and chief financial officer. "But it's got to be the right fit with the right person." (Read More)

Taking Ownership: Wing Zone to Pioneer Chicken Wing Delivery in the Bahamas

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

While many brands are in limbo, shuffling to strategize their economic stability plan, Wing Zone, a 100-unit chicken wing delivery/take-out specialist and the nation’s authority of flavor and ambassadors of sauce, is progressing forward. In fact, Wing Zone will pioneer unchartered territory, as the first chicken wing delivery chain to step outside of the United States and into the Bahamas this fall.

Experienced franchisees, Michael Turnquest and Roy Nick Dean, have partnered up to bring the first chicken wing delivery chain to the Bahamas for the first time. Turnquest and Dean have signed a six-unit development deal with Wing Zone and will start opening the first of their six locations this fall.

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 Turnquest and Dean about bringing Wing Zone to the Bahamas. The franchise partners signed a development deal late last year, which states their intention to develop six Wing Zone locations across the Bahamas over the next several years.

To prepare for the expansion into the Bahamas, Wing Zone took a good look in the mirror to create a stronger identity with consumers in the Bahamas 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 about 15 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.

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

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

While many brands are in limbo, shuffling to strategize their economic stability plan, Wing Zone, a 100-unit chicken wing delivery/take-out specialist and the nation’s authority of flavor and ambassadors of sauce, is progressing forward. In fact, Wing Zone will pioneer unchartered territory, as the first chicken wing delivery chain to step outside of the United States and into Japan later this year.

Experienced franchisees, Richard Dare and Pacific Rim Partners, have partnered up to bring the first chicken wing delivery chain to Japan for the first time. Richard Dare and Pacific Rim Partners have signed a 25-unit development deal with Wing Zone and will start opening the first of their 25 locations later this year.

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 Richard Dare and Pacific Rim Partners about bringing Wing Zone to Japan. The franchise partners signed a development deal late last year, which states their intention to develop 25 Wing Zone locations across Japan over the next several years.

To prepare for the expansion into Japan, Wing Zone took a good look in the mirror to create a stronger identity with consumers in Japan and is launching a revamped footprint to fit in with the country’s demand. The footprint will range from Wing Zone’s already established takeout/delivery model to the new quick casual dining experience with about 10 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.

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.

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.

Wing Zone claims San Antonio market

Wing Zone was recently featured in an article in the San Antonio Business Journal entitled, “San Antonio remains a top spot for franchise industry.” The article profiles Brad Meltzer, an Austin businessman and Wing Zone Franchisee, and Chief Operating Officer Casey McEwen. Meltzer discusses the exciting deal which will bring 10 new Wing Zone locations to the Austin and San Antonio area while McEwen explains what makes San Antonio and the surrounding area such an attractive market. A portion of the story is shared below, and you can view the full article here.

San Antonio remains a top spot for franchise industry
San Antonio Business Journal - by Tricia Lynn Silva

An Atlanta-based chain has staked its claim in San Antonio’s budding franchise market.

Wing Zone recently signed a franchise agreement with Austin businessman Brad Meltzer to establish Wing Zone’s presence in both San Antonio and Austin. The contract calls for Meltzer to get at least 10 restaurants up and running between the two markets over the next several years.

Wing Zone joins a growing list of franchise concepts that are fervently looking to expand their brand in the Alamo City.

“We’ve wanted to be in San Antonio for a while,” says Wing Zone Chief Operating Officer Casey McEwen.

Wing Zone Featured in Atlanta Journal Constitution

Entrepreneurs could push economy forward
Laid-off employees turning to franchises, other start-ups

By Tammy Joyner and David Markiewicz

What a difference a recession makes.

College buddies Dan Ketmayura and James Kim have gone from selling high-tech know-how to serving up sushi. The pair bought a franchise in Milton after being laid off last year. Instead of waiting on the recovery to yield more corporate jobs for them, they became their own bosses.

Likewise, Roger Panitch and Mike Connors took the self-employment route, via franchising, when the corporate road proved too bumpy. Panitch, a former pharmaceutical sales rep and executive recruiter, now hauls people’s junk for a living. Connors, who lost his job as a comptroller at a credit card company, now sells cell phones and wireless devices.

As the U.S. economy slogs toward recovery, many Americans, laid off from or fed up with corporate America, are taking control of their lives with help, in many cases, from franchises. Franchises are enticing would-be entrepreneurs with a variety of incentives, including lower entry fees.

(READ MORE)