FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CORPORATE REVIVAL: Wing Zone Takes Over Ownership of Knoxville, TN Location
Hot Delivery/Take-Out Chicken Wing Franchise to Use New Corporate Location for Growth Stimulus
ATLANTA (August) – The nation’s authority of flavor and ambassadors of sauce, Wing Zone, a 100-unit chicken wing delivery/take-out concept has added to its corporate portfolio with the ownership of the Knoxville, TN location at 2121 Cumberland Ave. Suite 102, Knoxville, TN 37916. The new corporate store will serve as a staple in the brand’s growth throughout the state.
“We have taken over the Knoxville location so that we can have a corporate presence in Tennessee. By doing so, we can propel our growth and properly cluster our locations city to city, which is essential for maintaining consistent brand awareness,” said Matt Friedman, CEO and founder of the growing chain.
Throughout the summer, Wing Zone has placed a keen focus on its growth model, relying on a two-fold approach of taking over corporate locations in top growth states, as well as adding qualified and experienced franchisees in existing markets.
“Our enhanced growth strategy is working, proven by our ability to open more locations in this bleak economy,” Friedman said. “When we sign a new franchisee in an existing market, they are provided the added benefit of having another franchisee nearby for added support.”
Despite the economy, Wing Zone has remained proactive in their strategies – both internally (systems and operations) and externally (approach to franchise development), in addition to topping the 100-unit mark and releasing its cluster growth strategy. Also, Wing Zone’s founders have remained intimately connected to the brand for more than 15 years – growing right along with it.
Founders Friedman and Adam Scott created the chain that dares you to not crave more of its tasty wings in 1991 at their University of Florida fraternity kitchen, where they cooked up wings/homemade sauces and delivered the award winning Buffalo chicken wings all over the campus. Soon thereafter, the founders began expanding their concept, later settling on Atlanta to headquarter their franchising efforts.
“We are on a mission to treat millions to our product,” Friedman said, noting Wing Zone just unleashed two new flavors: Kickin’ Ranch and Buffalo Bleu, two sauces never before seen on menus. “Knoxville will be a vital addition to our expansion plans throughout Tennessee. We will connect with customers in Knoxville who will help us spread the word about the tastiness of our product.”
Friedman stirred up Buffalo Bleu (a combination of hot sauce and real bleu cheese crumbles and dressing, along with other secret flavor sensations) and Kickin’ Ranch (mix of hot sauce and ranch) to combat difficult decision processing.
“After ordering your chicken wings, you are immediately hit with a dilemma: bleu cheese or ranch,” he said, noting Wing Zone plans to build upon its 30 new openings in the last two years by adding more locations nationwide. “We said: Why not eliminate that question, and just mix it into the sauce.”
This year, to support Wing Zone’s progressive saucing style. Knoxville wing fanatics who try the sauces are encouraged to tell Wing Zone-nation all about it via its Social Media outlets. Friedman said the chain will interact with Knoxville residents in their personal space, daily, via these outlets.
“We encourage our friends to follow-us, Tweet us, friend us, and interact with us via MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. We will offer real time specials and interactive contests. Social Media provides us the ability to interact with our customers in their personal space,” Friedman said.
Wing Zone’s extensive menu offers 15 unique flavors of fresh, cooked-to-order wings, including favorites such as Nuclear, Honey BBQ, Lemon Pepper, Ragin’ Cajun, Garlic Parmesan, and Spicy BBQ. In addition, Wing Zone offers salads, grilled sandwiches, burgers and a variety of appetizers such as: chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, battered mushrooms, onion rings and cheese fries.
“We are tired of copycats. Just wait to see what sauces we mix up next,” Friedman said.
About Wing Zone
Wing Zone was founded in 1991 at the University of Florida by Matt Friedman and Adam Scott, who cooked wings with homemade sauces in their fraternity house kitchen and delivered them to fellow college students. After opening several Wing Zone locations, Friedman and Scott began franchising Wing Zone in 1999. Wing Zone now has nearly 100 locations open across the U.S. For more information about Wing Zone visit www.wingzone.com.