Wings Etc. named among top franchises by Entrepreneur magazine, Franchise Business Review

Fast-growing grill & pub franchise ranks among Entrepreneur’s Top 500 in most competitive year yet; achieves Top 200 in Franchise Business Review’s franchisee satisfaction rankings

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Feb. 7, 2024) — Wings Etc., Inc., franchisor of the Wings Etc. Grill & Pub sports bar brand, received two awards in January that point to the brand’s strength as a franchisor.

Wings Etc. was recognized as one of the Top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500®, moving up from 414 in 2023 to 383 this year. For 45 years, the annual Entrepreneur Franchise 500® has been a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry and recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees. This year a record-setting 1,389 companies submitted their information.

The 2024 Franchise 500® ranks Wings Etc. for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power. Each franchise is given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500® in ranked order. Wings Etc.’s inclusion is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity. See https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500.

Wings Etc. alsowas named a Top Franchise for 2024 by Franchise Business Review. This is the 19th annual ranking of the 200 best franchise opportunities as rated by franchise business owners.

Franchise Business Review provides the only rankings and awards for franchise companies based on franchisee satisfaction and performance. Wings Etc. franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including training and support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, and financial opportunity. See https://franchisebusinessreview.com/lists/top-200-franchises/ and https://tour.franchisebusinessreview.com/validation-highlights/#video.

“We’re thrilled and honored to achieve these high marks for our franchise operations and stand tall in a competitive market,” said Wings Etc. CEO Rob Hensmann. “It’s gratifying to know that our franchisees and our peers in the industry view Wings Etc. as a strong franchise opportunity.”

Of Wings Etc.’s 80 locations, 54 are franchisee-owned. The company offers single and multi-unit franchise options. The initial franchise fee is $39,500, with a $350,000 liquid cash investment and $700,000 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 Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

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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, 21 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 80 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.