A Tribute to Wings

Super Bowl Sunday is the one of the biggest wing consumption days of the year.

SPONSOREDUpdated 5:17PM • 02/02/16

Last year’s Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks was a TV ratings juggernaut. More than 114 million people tuned in to see the Seahawks blow it in the final minutes and chances are a good portion of those viewers had their own Super Bowl parties. The Super Bowl party is nothing new, as munching on snacks and sipping drinks with friends is a time-honored tradition. The Denver Broncos or Carolina Panthers may be crowned champions on February 7, but the real MVPs are franchises that sell chicken wings.

There is a no bigger wing consumption holiday than Super Bowl Sunday. Wing popularity can be attributed to their size and its adaptability.

“Wings are amazing finger foods. At most parties these days, everyone wants something that is convenient and can be easily eaten while standing or on the go. That makes wings perfect,” said Wing Zone Director of Marketing Dan Corrigan.

These tasty treats are a hit with rabid football fans and casual watchers as the National Chicken Council reported that 1.25 billion chicken wings were consumed during the 2015 Super Bowl. Consumers are on pace to break that record as the Council is predicting 1.3 billion wings will be eaten this Sunday. That’s enough to stretch from the Carolina Panthers Bank of America Stadium to the Denver Bronco’s Sports Authority Field at Mile High, 53 times.

For franchises that serve wings, this one of their busiest times of year or their own Super Bowl if you will. Corrigan said the Super Bowl usually accounts for 1.5 percent of the brand’s sales for the entire year and last year they sold 450,000 wings during the big game. He is projecting the brand to sell 540,000 in 2016. Corrigan said they start preparing for the Super Bowl very early.

“Just like the players on the field start their mental preparation and physical preparation months or seasons in advance, we have to do the same at the store,” Corrigan said. “We try to anticipate the amount of wings that will be ordered and during what time frames. Super Bowl Sunday is something we get incredibly excited for!”

Buffalo Wings & Rings also expects the big game to be a busy day. Philip Schram, the brand’s chief development officer, said Buffalo Wings & Rings sold 180,000 wings in 2015 and he projects 200,000 to be going out the door this year. Schram believes each location will be packed during the game and carry out orders will also be busy. Schram explained that wings are the perfect food to eat during sporting events and can also serve as a way to market the brand.

“I’ve been to many Super Bowl parties where people ask where the food is from and it’s important for the brand,” Schram said. “We are busy even before the game, as people start to book two weeks in advance for wings, along with other menu items.”

Brands that specialize in wings aren’t the only restaurants to supply hungry sports fans with tasty wings. Toppers Pizza* sold 2,100 wings and 7,100 pizzas across their 60 locations in 2015, culminating in their largest sales day in their 24-year history. Beef O’Brady’s expects to ship out 2 million wings from their 210 locations.

As you can see, one of the biggest pig-out days of the year can also be one of the most successful for franchisees of these brands. Are you ready for some football?

*This brand is a paid partner of 1851 Franchise. For more information on paid partnerships please click here.

A Tribute to Wings

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