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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Wings Etc. Franchise

Wings Etc. is a family-friendly sports bar and grill franchise founded in 1994 in northern Indiana. The brand positions itself as a casual, community-oriented alternative to heavily programmed, big-box sports bar chains, built around a straightforward concept: quality food, live sports, and a relaxed atmosphere that draws regulars and sports fans alike.

The menu covers the full bar-and-grill range: jumbo Buffalo wings in 22 signature sauces and rubs, burgers, wraps, sandwiches, salads, and kids meals, alongside a broad selection of beer and beverages. Dozens of TVs tuned to live sports programming are a fixture across locations. The brand targets families, casual diners, and sports enthusiasts who want familiar food in a welcoming environment without the corporate edge of larger chains.

With more than 80 locations across 13 states and franchises sold in 15 states, the network includes a mix of franchisee-owned and company-operated units. The model is one of the lower startup-cost full-service bar and grill franchises in the sector, appealing to operators who want a full-service hospitality concept without the overhead profile of a larger casual-dining chain.

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Why buy a Wings Etc. Franchise?

Buying a Wings Etc. franchise means entering a category with consistent consumer demand: wings, beer, and sports remain strong anchors for casual dining regardless of broader restaurant trends. The brand’s deliberate distance from corporate-style sports bar concepts gives it a local, community-rooted character that supports repeat visits and loyal regulars.

The franchise is positioned as one of the more accessible full-service bar and grill concepts in terms of startup cost and break-even. Franchisees receive negotiated food purchasing discounts that reduce supply costs, and the franchisor’s substantial company-operated presence (around 32% of the system) means corporate support is grounded in current, real-world operational experience. A multi-unit ownership rate of around 34% of franchisees reflects ongoing buy-in from within the operator community.

Wings Etc. Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1994

    • Franchising Since

      2004

    • New Startup Cost

      $368,650 – $2,881,100

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $25,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      25%

      of Initial Franchise Fee; 10% if existing franchisee

    • Royalty Fee

      5%

      of Gross Revenue

    • Marketing Fee

      2%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      80

    • New Units Opened *

      1

    • Units Transferred *

      1

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $1,563,701

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

Wings Etc. – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Franchisees complete up to six weeks of hands-on training covering operations, food preparation, and bar management, conducted in part at company-operated locations. The program includes 23 hours of classroom instruction and 293 hours of on-the-job training for the franchisee and management team. Ongoing support covers operational assistance, marketing guidance, and access to negotiated volume discounts on food purchasing. Field support is available to franchisees throughout the life of their agreement. Resale buyers should confirm with Wings Etc. what transfer training and system access are provided to incoming ownership.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The typical Wings Etc. franchisee is comfortable leading a team in a fast-paced bar and grill environment and is genuinely invested in building a welcoming local atmosphere. Prior restaurant or hospitality experience is helpful but not required; the training program is built to onboard operators without a food-service background. Day-to-day ownership involves staff management, quality oversight, and customer relationship-building in a setting where regulars and repeat visits form the commercial foundation. A community-minded approach and comfort with the rhythms of hospitality operations are more important than a formal industry credential.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Wings Etc. has earned consistent recognition across major franchise publications. Entrepreneur magazine ranked it 10th among its Top 15 Chicken Franchises for 2024 and has listed it in the Franchise 500 every year since 2021. Franchise Business Review has named it a Top Food Franchise every year since 2020 and a Top 200 Franchise since 2019. Franchise Times ranked it #311 in its 2024 Top 400 (fourth consecutive year on the list). Franchise Gator has included it in its Top 100 Franchises seven times since 2014 and Fastest Growing list seven times since 2016. Nation's Restaurant News has listed it in its Top 500 Franchises every year since 2021.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US casual dining sector continues to support demand for sports bar concepts, where food, beverages, and live sports programming drive consistent traffic. Wings-focused brands have been among the fastest-growing restaurant categories, with strong systemwide sales growth across US-based franchise systems in recent years. Consumer demand for familiar bar food, including wings, burgers, and beer, remains steady, supported by sports programming cycles and a broad base of family, young adult, and sports fan customers. For resale buyers, local factors including territory demographics, nearby competition, and community presence are key performance drivers.

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