Keeping It In The Family

Todd Fetter, 49, was raised in Waynesfield, Ohio and attended college for a few semesters before starting a family in 1985. He and his wife, Audra, have five children, four of which have roles in Fetter’s Buffalo Wings & Rings restaurant. The oldest, Kyla, 28, is a surgical technician and helps out in the expo window on the weekends; Kellen, 26, is the Manager at the Buffalo Wings & Rings restaurant; while Keaton helps with the audio-visual side of things, and Kieran, 20, helps out in the kitchen on busy nights. The couple also added another member to the family in 2009, 11-year-old Hubertine, whom they adopted from Africa. The Fetters met Hubertine through volunteering to house children for a group called Children’s Medical Missions. The organization brought kids from underdeveloped countries to the US to get medical treatment, and the Fetters had hosted and cared for four children prior to meeting Hubertine. The family hosted Hubertine from age 2.5 to 4, which made it difficult for both the couple and Hubertine, who had spent her formative years with the American family, to be separated. After Hubertine returned home for a few months, the organization contacted them about the opportunity to adopt her. The couple flew to Africa and finalized the adoption in 2009. The Fetters also financially support Hubertine’s siblings’ schooling back in Africa. In addition to his big heart, Fetter has always had an entrepreneurial spirit; he owned a manufacturing business before entering the e-coating and powdering industry, and grew the company into 2 locations with 150 employees. He sold his share of the business in 2008 and began looking for a new venture to invest in alongside another manufacturing business that Fetter still owned. Based on his family’s common interest in sports and wings, Fetter started looking for a wing joint, and came across Buffalo Wings & Rings. “I liked that the corporate headquarters are in Cincinnati, which means they’re close for training and support,” Fetter said. “I went to several stores to eat and check things out, and found that everything was great.” Although Fetter signed an agreement with the brand in 2009, it took four years to find the ideal location for their restaurant. This is Fetter’s first franchise business and he has nothing but compliments for his franchisors. “The support system is great. You can pick up a phone and call any of the Wings and Rings* owners directly. Maybe they won’t handle the issue directly but they will help you find the answer, and if they miss the call they’ll return it. It’s very personal,” he explains. How did your son Kellen get involved in the business and what is the dynamic like? We sent Kellen to training after he returned home after college. Now he is one of our managers and is a prime candidate as General Manager for location number 2, and then even regional manager as we grow. Currently Kellen is not our GM, so he’s second in command. Kellen manages the kitchen as well as all the payrolls and computer work. As a father, you hope he’ll take the bull by the horns and be proactive about doing well. But you’re also apprehensive about the idea that it might not be that something he wants to do. You put him in a situation and hope for the best. He had a lot to learn because he didn’t have any experience in this field. It’s been impressive the way he has taken charge and ownership of the position, which was very much a relief. It’s good to know that at certain times when I can’t be there, that I have a family member looking out for my best interest. Do you think you’re sterner with Kellen because he is your son? I am definitely sterner because I don’t want other employees thinking that he gets special treatment. I’ve coached all my boys in one sport or another, and I was probably the hardest coach they ever had. What are your development plans? We are looking at sites for location number two. Our family plan is to have 4-5 stores eventually. Are you involved with any charities? We are involved with the Cancer Society. We hold benefits at the restaurant, support Relay for Life events, and cut a percentage of the check when they hold events at our restaurant.