Entrepreneurial Trio Signs Huge Area Development Deal to Grow Atomic Wings Across Virginia and North Carolina

With 25 open units and another 20-plus in development, Atomic Wings*, the NYC-based chicken wing franchise, is growing rapidly. Its most recent addition, an Area Representative signing with three experienced entrepreneurs, is driving additional growth in key Virginia and North Carolina markets. 

Timir Patel, Pritul Patel and Hiren Patel, who share experience in restaurants, gas stations, hotels and retail businesses, will be adding at least 15 new Atomic Wings locations to key markets in their communities in the coming years. 

“We have a ton of respect for this team, and they feel the same way we do. They want to help people grow businesses, and that’s what we believe in,” said Mike Domico, vice president of development at Atomic Wings. “The largest markets included in this development deal will be  Richmond and The Triangle, a metropolitan area anchored by Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill,  and we’re proud to have them representing us as both franchisees and Area Representatives in  those markets.” 

1851 Franchise spoke with the trio to learn more about their journey to franchising and plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you? 

Timir: I have been in the gas station business for over 15 years. I own a Huddle House restaurant and have past experience in owning and operating a franchise QSR. I have been in the food industry for many years and am excited to be developing Atomic Wings in future areas. 

Franchising is a great way to understand proper procedures, increase your chances of success,  and yield higher profits. 

Pritul: I am mainly in the hotel industry and very new to the food industry scene. Franchising made sense to me because procedures are laid out for you to succeed and for someone new to this business it makes it very easy. 

Hiren: I have a total of 21 years of experience in gas stations, hotels and retail. I used to own a  Taco Bell for 10 years, and I always wanted to go back to the food industry. That’s where the wings really came out, and we thought about going in on a business together. With our versatile experience, we make a great team! 

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? 

Timir: Having previous franchising experience, I can tell you that franchising is great for everyone.  By having set procedures, franchising helps business owners to reduce risk of failure, increase profits, and be your own boss. Franchising also gives you ongoing business support, develops brand loyalty by marketing, and gets you the best prices on your products due to buying power. 

Hiren: The model is set when you choose a franchise. We are excited to join a franchise that is growing to give us the opportunity to grow with the franchise. .In franchising, if you do things correctly, there is always opportunity for growth. As players who have been in the game for many years already, your franchisor will have lots of market knowledge and valuable expertise to pass on to you. 

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

Hiren: We applied for multiple franchises when we were looking into wings. Atomic Wings stood out because the food was amazing and we loved the concept. Our decision was solid when we met Zak [Omar] and Mike [Domico]. The passion Zak has for this franchise is magnetizing and we knew we wanted to be a part of his team. 

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

Timir: Our goal is to open at least 10 locations within five years throughout Virginia and North  Carolina. We definitely want to open and operate some ourselves, and we’ll also be franchising some out as well. Our goal might change depending on how fast we move, but we’re taking it one step at a time. 

Hiren: Hampton Road has the world’s largest naval base. There is Army, NASA and Air Force there, too. The military presence is huge, and the area is growing. In Virginia Beach, the weather is always perfect. It’s another growing market. And everybody knows about The Triangle. It’s 

booming, thanks to tech and medical companies, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. We really love the area that we’ve acquired. 

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know? 

Timir: We have a love for the food. We are all foodies and used to drive a few hours just to eat at restaurants we like. Atomic Wings is an awesome concept and we’re excited to be part of its growth! 

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

Timir: Franchising is a great way to start a business whether you are new to the game or have prior experience. The format is laid out for you and all you need to do is follow it and work smart!  Be a part of our team and let’s grow Atomic wings together! 

Hiren: For somebody who’s starting out, if they’re ready to work hard, the success is there. 

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 in New York and Maryland, Atomic Wings is targeting New Jersey, Arizona, Ohio and Canada. 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.