Wings Etc. climbs to 311 on Franchise Times Top 400 franchise list

Wings Etc. Grill & Pub rises in Franchise Times ranks for the fourth year in a row

FORT WAYNE, Ind.—Wings Etc. has moved from 316 in 2023 to 311 in 2024 in the recently released Franchise Times annual Top 400 report, marking another year of accelerating systemwide sales.

“It’s exciting to see our growth and hard work reflected in the Franchise Times Top 400,” said Wings Etc. CEO Rob Hensmann. “Our team members and franchisees continue to give it their all, resulting in a brand and experience that consumers want to support.”

The Franchise Times Top 400® is an exclusive annual ranking of the largest U.S.-based franchise systems by global systemwide sales. The project is the result of a five-month research and reporting effort that leads to the most credible and objective franchise ranking available, according to the publication’s editors.

The data indicated that despite persistent inflation and higher interest rates, sales were strong. All franchise categories saw an increase in sales with the exception of two — real estate and business services, according to a report by Matthew Liedke published September 27 in Franchise Times.

Restaurant brands led the growth in the Franchise 400, and wings-based franchises were at the front of the pack with $4.3 billion in sales, a 22 percent gain, Liedke reported.

Wings Etc. moved up the list by five spots compared with 2023. The new ranking marks the fourth year in a row the grill and pub has made the list. Wings Etc. was ranked 321 in 2022.

Wings Etc.’s startup costs are low among full-service bar and grill concepts. The brand also enjoys multi-unit buy-in: 27 percent of franchisees own multiple units. Of the brand’s 80 locations in 2023, 32 percent were franchisee owned.

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

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About Wings Etc. Grill & Pub

Wings Etc. is proud to celebrate 30 years of growth and good times this year. Founded in 1994 by Jim Weaver in northern Indiana, Wings Etc. is a family-friendly grill and pub featuring award-winning jumbo Buffalo wings, 22 signature sauces and rubs, dozens of TVs tuned to sports programming and a casual, non-corporate-y, laid-back vibe that makes people want to just come in and hang out. See wingsetc.com.

With 81 corporate and franchise locations, Wings Etc. has been listed among Entrepreneur magazine’s “Top 500 Franchises” every year since 2021 and was included in the magazine’s “Top Five Best Sports Bars” in 2021. It has been named one of Franchise Business Review’s “Top Food Franchises” every year since 2020 and a “Top 200 Franchise” every year since 2019. Wings Etc. has been included in Franchise Gator’s “Top 100 Franchises” seven times since 2014 and its “Fastest Growing Franchises” seven times since 2016; it was among the “Top Emerging Franchises” in 2023. It has been named a “Top 400 Franchise” by Franchise Times every year since 2021 and a “Top 500 Franchise” by Nation’s Restaurant News every year since 2021. See www.wingsetcfranchise.com.

The Wings Etc. Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to improving children’s lives. See www.wingsetcfoundation.com.

©2024 Wings Etc., Inc. Franchises independently owned and operated.

Image courtesy of Wings Etc. Grill and Pub