For Wings Etc. Minooka, Community Support Opportunities Are Plentiful, Rewarding

Wings Etc. Minooka, located at 581 Bob Blair Road, not only serves as a gathering place for people from all over but also as a resource for charities in need

Minooka, Ill. (Sept. 9, 2022)—Since opening in April 2019, the local owners of the Minooka Wings Etc. Grill & Pub franchise have expanded their commitment to community support programs, and to being the place for family-friendly, sports-themed entertainment. Located off I-80 and near major hotel chains, Wings Etc. Minooka often sees a very diverse crowd from (literally) all over the world. General Manager Ben Akre said the goal is for the restaurant to be a welcoming place for all, and to make “giving back” an ongoing, expanding priority.

“We get people of all ages, all ethnicities, different backgrounds here, so we like to help as many people as possible,” said Akre, who noted that dozens of organizations a year approach him for donations. “We don’t pick and choose; we really don’t say no to any worthwhile cause. We serve an amazingly diverse group of guests, and we are committed to helping all.”

Some of that help comes from “Dine to Donate” events, where a percentage of a designated day’s sales is donated to a cause. Other times, the location creates gift baskets to be raffled at fundraisers or sponsors events and programs.

One such event that Wings Etc. Minooka will be sponsoring this year is the annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing on Sept. 9, where they also plan to cater this year’s event.

“We like to be very active with the Chamber. We have a great relationship with them and love to support them,” said Akre. “We’re really excited to cater the outing this year. What’s neat is that they seek out restaurants to cater that are part of the Chamber as a way to give support back to us.”

Wings Etc. Minooka opened in April 2019, but they began giving back long before the first guest walked through their door.

“While we were renovating, we decided to sponsor a Little League Baseball Team,” said Akre. “We’ve done it every year since. This year we were also able to sponsor local baseball and softball teams.”

Akre, who came to Minooka when it opened from the Yorkville location, said being part of Wings has allowed him to meet new people. Surrounded by hotels, Wings Etc. Minooka often serves as the daily eatery for businesspeople with extended stays in the town for work.

“This is really a crossroads for a lot of different people,” he said, noting that during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he served guests from Australia who couldn’t leave the United States. “We get people who stay here for six months at a time, and I’m happy to accommodate them with special drinks that they enjoy. We do what we can to make sure they feel like they are at home.”

Wings Etc. Minooka is currently hosting weekly movie nights and various other events to help guests wind down after a long day. To keep up to date with the latest specials and activities, follow Wings Etc. Minooka on Facebook at facebook.com/WingsEtcMinookaIL.

Wings Etc. Minooka is located at 581 Bob Blair Road in Minooka, Ill.

About the Wings Etc. Grill & Pub Franchise Opportunity

Founded in 1994 by Jim Weaver in the South Bend, Indiana, area, Wings Etc. is a family-friendly grill and pub with a diverse menu featuring award-winning jumbo Buffalo wings, over 20 signature sauces and rubs, premium burgers, wraps, salads, appetizers, sandwiches, subs, kids meals, over 40 domestic and craft beer selections in bottles and on tap, dozens of large HDTVs tuned to sports programming, and a casual, non-corporate-y, laid-back “vibe” that makes people want to just come in and hang out. In addition to its popular sports programming, menu, and beverage options, Wings Etc. offers weekday lunch and food specials, online ordering, and much more.

Franchising since 2004, Wings Etc. Grill & Pub has been named one of Restaurant Business Magazine’s “Future Franchises,” has been named one of Franchise Gator’s “Top 100 Franchises” for several years, and was named a 2020 “Culture 100 Best of the Best” franchise by Franchise Business Review. In June 2021, Wings Etc. was named a “Top 200 Food Franchise” and a “Top 500 North American Franchise” by Entrepreneur Magazine. Wings Etc. continues to grow and succeed by partnering with franchise operators who share the Wings Etc. Vision, Mission, and Values, a commitment to building a successful business while helping build stronger communities and people (and to having fun!).

Wings Etc. offers single and multi-unit franchise options. The initial franchise fee is $39,500, with a $200,000 liquid cash investment, and $500,000 minimum net worth requirement for interested prospects. Wings Etc. offers one of the lowest startup costs and break-even franchise opportunities in the full-service restaurant segment. Priority growth markets include Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Alabama and Florida.

For more information about the Wings Etc. franchise opportunity, visit  www.wingsetcfranchise.com.

©2022 Wings Etc., Inc. Franchises independently owned and operated.