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.”

Wing Zone featured in The Forum

This past Super Bowl weekend, Wing Zone was featured in The Forum in Fargo discussing the spike in wing sales experienced by local businesses on Super Bowl Sunday. In terms of sales in Fargo,Tami Smith let us know that Super Bowl Sunday is the largest sales day of the year by far, often seeing an increase from about 300 wings on a typical Sunday to about 2500 wings for the big game. Orders of 100 – 200 wings are common and the whole staff is prepared to meet the pre-game rush so customers can have everything ready for all of their parties. Wings provide a great snack food for all to enjoy because let’s face it, everyone loves wings and Wing Zone provides 15 different flavors to meet everyone’s favorite flavors. Click here to view the full article.

Business a blazin': Buffalo wing businesses get boost on Super Bowl Sunday
By MARINO ECCHER

For Thanksgiving, it’s turkey. For Easter, it’s ham. For the Super Bowl, it’s hot wings – millions and millions of hot wings.

In a savory confluence of product and event, wing restaurants – especially those that deliver – are prepping for a bonanza Sunday (an all-out blitz, for the pun-inclined), when hungry fans and partygoers seek out the football-friendly snack in droves.

(Read More)

Wing Zone featured in the San Antonio Business Journal

Wing Zone was recently featured in the San Antonio Business Journal discussing the new opening of the Grill & Tap prototype this past week. Brad Meltzer, experienced restaurateur in San Antonio and Austin is opening the Grill & Tap prototype for the first time bringing a new look to the brand by offering a full service wing joint plus beer and wine. So far the restaurant has been a hit in the market and Brad is planning on adding a total of 10 locations in San Antonio and Austin. The original Wing Zone delivery and take-out concept has been around for the past 15 years and can be found at over 100 locations across the country. Click here to view the article in its entirety!

Restaurateur zoning in on Wing Zone Grill & Tap
By TRICIA LYNN SILVA

Austin-based businessman Brad Meltzer is mixing things up for a chicken-wing chain out of Atlanta.

Late last month, Meltzer opened the first of several Wing Zone restaurants planned in San Antonio, at 7828 Callaghan Road on the Northwest Side.

(Read More)

Wing Zone featured in the TC Palm

Wing Zone was recently featured in the TC Palm in an article entitled, “Treasure Coast wing shops ready for Super Bowl onslaught.” For the article, local Wing Zone owner, Steven Fritz, shared his insight on the world of wings during Super Bowl weekend. On Super Bowl Sunday, Wing Zone in Port St. Lucie plans to sell 5,000 wings in a two hour period; an event that has had the restaurant planning since January 24th to ensure that they have enough sauces, as well as celery and wings to meet the demand of the customers who line up in the parking lot for these delicious morsels. Last year alone, Wing Zone did 40 million in system wide sales, demonstrating the need for wings over Super Bowl weekend. Click here to view the full article.

Treasure Coast wing shops ready for Super Bowl onslaught
By CATHY REEDER

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers are gearing up for the Super Bowl.

So are wing joints around the country.

General Manager Steven Fritz of the Port St. Lucie Wing Zone has a 15-page manual from corporate headquarters — just for Super Bowl logistics. It's the biggest sales day of the year.

(Read More)

Wing Zone featured on Fox 5's "Good Day Atlanta"

Wing Zone was recently featured on Fox 5's "Good Day Atlanta." The segment aired yesterday and featured an awesome wing-saucing demo with Wing Zone co-founder and CEO Matt Friedman, who discussed why chicken wings are everyone’s favorite Super Bowl food. Matt brought some of his famous chicken wings and a variety of sauces to the set and taught the anchor how to sauce wings, while talking all about Wing Zone and how Super Bowl Sunday is the biggest sales day of the year. Also, Fox 5 posted information about Wing Zone's "Flavor Bowl" in which an individual has a chance to win a $200 giftcard to Wing Zone! Click here to view the segment, and also to find out about information on the "Flavor Bowl!"

Secrets for the Perfect Wings

Wing Zone Founder Matt Friedman shared the secrets to perfect wings -- be they winged, messy and hot or boneless and a little milder!

Be sure to check out Wing Zone on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/WingZoneNation , where they’re hosting their first official Flavor Bowl.

(Read More)

Wing Zone featured in The Green Bay Press-Gazette

Wing Zone was recently featured in The Green Bay Press-Gazette with an article entitled "Green Bay Packers wins bring in green for businesses." The article focuses on the Super Bowl Sunday sales spike from the perspective of local Green Bay retailers. Wing Zone gets to start off the article with a business forecast from Wing Zone’s Green Bay franchisee, Randy Bardouche, who says he expects the Super Bowl Sunday rush this year to exceed the average volume of four full business days. Bardouche further discusses his preparation for the big day, and how many wings he expects to sell. Click here to view the full article!

Green Bay Packers wins bring in green for businesses
By NATHAN PHELPS

Take the volume from four regular business days and cram them into a few hours Sunday.

"It usually starts getting really heavy at 3 p.m. and goes until about 8 p.m.," said Randy Bardouche, an owner of Wing Zone, 1635 Main St. "If the Packers win, I expect it to go all night long, because that was the trend with the NFC championship game."

(Read More)