Franchise News
Founded in 1991 in the co-founders fraternity kitchen, Wing Zone’s simple business model continues to gain a competitive advantage in the wing-focused fast casual dining by targeting major colleges and mastering delivery.
Matt Friedman and Adam Scott had no experience, no knowledge when it came to starting Wing Zone, according to the segment. “We were passionate about starting a business and felt that wings were a great fit for the market we were in, which is in Gainesville, FL… a college town”. At the time, the only place you could get true authentic buffalo wings was in upstate New York, so they jumped on the idea since they were in the early stages of the wing evolution and had that regional competitive advantage.
“The cool thing about the Wing Zone model is it’s stayed very simple. We’re in major college and urban type markets. We do delivery, we’re open late night. We focus on one core product”, says Friedman. The segment also touches on how Wing Zone has handled their own delivery since day one, without using 3rd party delivery services like much of their competitors.
Currently, they offer 17 different flavors when they first started with just mild and hot. In 2020, Friedman confirms they’re launching 4 new flavors. They’ve also expanded into the wing category with boneless, and introduced thigh wings last fall. According to Friedman, they’re scheduled to open around 10-15 units a year domestically and internationally.
The first franchise they ever opened was in Tuscaloosa, AL in 2000. Thankfully, it was a huge success. It was the right franchisee, in the right market who followed the system, and was passionate about the product. Friedman and Scott both find it important to develop a relationship with the franchisees. Friedman follows by saying “I’d say to them, we’re truly your business partner. We’re not going to do it for you, but we’ll do it with you.” They’d even move to the particular market to make sure the franchisee was given all the support they needed for the system to run smoothly.
“I really believe when you’re starting a business you need to be as hands on as possible, and we live that even to this day”, Friedman ends with saying.
To listen to the full radio segment, click here.
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