Bringing the Heat: Local Couple Expand Their Franchise Portfolio with Atomic Wings in Illinois

Chris and Evelyn Steinacher are no strangers to the restaurant world. The couple already own two other franchise locations with a popular sandwich chain — one acquired in 2020 and another built from the ground up in 2023. Now, they’re adding Atomic Wings to their portfolio, bringing fresh, never-frozen chicken wings to Fairview Heights, Illinois.

The Steinachers’ journey into the emerging chicken wing brand began when a friend in the restaurant business  introduced them to the Atomic Wings concept. After visiting a location during a family trip, the Steinachers were immediately drawn to the restaurant’s vibrant atmosphere, franchisee-friendly approach and — perhaps most importantly — delicious wings. Now, with plans to grow their footprint in the brand, Chris and Evelyn are eager to introduce their community to a bold, fresh take on wings.

1851 spoke with the couple to learn more about their franchising background, what drew them to Atomic Wings and their plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Chris Steinacher: We already own two restaurant franchises — one we bought in 2020 and another we built from scratch in 2023. Now, we’re expanding our portfolio with Atomic Wings.

Both of us have extensive restaurant experience, working in just about every position from the ground up. Even before [our sandwich restaurants], we tried out rental properties, but that didn’t pan out. Franchising has given us a structured way to succeed in business, and we’re excited to keep growing.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Evelyn Steinacher: We’ve always wanted to own our own business, and franchising gave us the opportunity to do that with a strong support system.

Chris: Franchising makes success a little easier because you have the backing and resources to streamline operations. Having the franchise structure helps with all of that, allowing us to focus on running a great business.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Evelyn: A friend in the restaurant business who joined Atomic Wings and introduced us to the brand. We took our kids to the Great Wolf Lodge in Ohio and stopped at the Greenfield location — and we instantly loved the concept. The artwork, the atmosphere, the food — it all stood out. The way the business was run felt familiar and appealing since we already had franchise experience.

Chris: What really stood out was the fresh, never-frozen chicken and the fact that the brand is still in growth mode. Unlike some larger, more rigid franchise systems, Atomic Wings is listening to franchisees and taking their input seriously. It’s refreshing to be part of a brand that is still evolving and open to new ideas.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Evelyn: We’re definitely looking at expanding beyond just one location and growing our overall franchise portfolio. We see a lot of potential with Atomic Wings.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Evelyn: We’re deeply involved in our community. We have four kids, and many of them play soccer, so we love sponsoring their teams and using that as a way to spread brand awareness while also supporting local programs. It’s a win-win—it helps our business while also giving back to the community.

Chris: We’re already spreading the word about Atomic Wings in Fairview Heights. It’s exciting to bring a fresh new brand to our area.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Evelyn: Make sure you truly believe in the product and the way the business is run. You have to be passionate about the brand and want to be involved beyond just opening locations — you have to care about its growth and success.

Chris: The moment we tried the food, we fell in love with it. That’s important — if you’re not excited about what you’re selling, it’s hard to be successful.

ABOUT ATOMIC WINGS

Atomic Wings was created in 1989 with a mission to share authentic New York style Buffalo wings with the world. Now, with dozens of restaurants open in the U.S., Atomic Wings is setting its sights on nationwide growth. In addition to its existing locations, Atomic Wings is targeting New York, New Jersey, Texas, Arizona and Nevada. The brand is led by owners and brothers Zak and Ray Omar, and offers customers fresh, never frozen, natural and hormone-free chicken wings hand-tossed in 14 proprietary sauces, a classic menu, a welcoming dining experience and a commitment to quality. For more information about Atomic Wings, please visit https://www.atomicwings.com/franchising.