Credit: National wing chain signs development agreement for four locations in Louisville, Ky.
September 07, 2011 // RICHARDSON, Texas - Wingstop is coming to Louisville, Ky. The rapidly expanding wing chain recently signed a four-store development agreement with longtime franchisee Eddie Williams to open its first restaurants in Kentucky beginning with a location at 4812 Dixie Highway, in Kingsford Plaza.
Williams currently owns a Wingstop in Decatur, Ill. and was one of the first franchise owners to open a Wingstop restaurant outside of Texas. After a family trip to Louisville last summer, Williams, his wife Renee and their three children made one of the biggest decisions of their lives - to leave Illinois and move to Kentucky.
"We got involved with Wingstop very early on," he said. "We opened in Decatur almost 10 years ago and were actually the 39th store in the system. I love Illinois, but about a year ago we were offered tickets to the HullabaLOU Music Festival in Louisville. While we were in town we decided we'd stop by the local Wingstop , only to find out there was no Wingstop in Kentucky!"
After spending a few days sightseeing and visiting with local residents, Williams and his family felt completely at home in Louisville - so much they decided to uproot the family and move. "We just fell in love with the city and the people," he said. "It's the gateway to the south. We loved the layout, the southern charm and that it's a big city but with small town appeal. We knew Wingstop would do great here and started taking steps to develop the market."
Less than a year later, Williams and his family are searching for a house, getting ready to open Kentucky's first Wingstop and starting a new chapter in their lives. Reese, Eddie and Renee's oldest son, will help manage the store while attending the University of Louisville.
"This is truly a family business," Williams added. "When I walked into Wingstop for the first time 10 years ago, I was hooked. I loved the airplane motif and, of course, the wings and fries. Everything is made fresh in the store and the wings are cooked to order - that's the Wingstop way and we know the Louisville community will love it."
With a sole focus on cooked-to-order chicken, the Wingstop menu features traditional and boneless wings, strips and the chain's newest offering - Glider sandwiches - all sauced and tossed in nine original flavors including Lemon Pepper and Garlic Parmesan. Homemade side dishes include fresh-cut fries with proprietary seasoning, Bourbon baked beans, cole slaw and potato salad.
About Wingstop
Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Richardson, Texas, Wingstop has more than 480 restaurants open across the United States and Mexico. With a sole focus on chicken wings , the Wingstop menu features nine wing flavors including Original Hot, Cajun, Atomic, Mild, Teriyaki, Lemon Pepper, Hawaiian, Garlic Parmesan, and Hickory Smoked BBQ. Wings are made fresh, cooked-to-order and customers can also choose from homemade side dishes including Wingstop 's award winning fresh-cut seasoned fries. Wingstop has experienced eight consecutive years of positive sales increases, was named a Top 10 Best Franchise Deal by QSR magazine, was crowned Wing King at the National Buffalo Wing Festival and has been voted 'best wings' in markets across the country. Troy Aikman, three-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame quarterback, has served as the chain's national spokesman since 2003 and recently joined the Wingstop Board of Directors. Wingstop was acquired in 2010 by Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based private equity firm that specializes in business and consumer service companies with attractive growth prospects and revenues ranging from $20 million to $1.0 billion. For more information visit wingstop.com, wingstopfranchise.com or facebook.com/Wingstop.
Jersey Mike's Subs Raises Funds For High Schools At Grand Opening
Grand Opening Celebration with Free Subs
September 07, 2011 // Franchising.com // West Covina, CA - Please welcome the new team in West Covina, CA! Back row, l to r: Henry Miranda, Christian Chavez, Travis White, Alysa Trejo, Nick Williamson, and Ashley Reynoso Front row, l to r: Regie Cuellar (Managing Director), Jessica Kern, Morgan Barba, Raychel Brady, Isabelle Martinez, Darlene Hernandez, Isabel Gonzalez, and Emily Rhodes
Jersey Mike's Subs officially opened its doors in West Covina. Regie Cuellar, managing director of the West Covina location, knows the importance of community relations and celebrated the restaurants new ties with the area during the grand opening on August 31.
To commemorate the event, the new restaurant, located at 2536 E. Workman Ave, hosted a 5-day fundraiser from Wednesday, August 31 through Sunday, September 4, with proceeds supporting South Hills High School and Covina High School. Anyone who had a fundraising coupon received a free regular sub for a minimum $1 contribution. Coupons were distributed throughout the community and in local newspapers.
"It is very refreshing to be part of an organization that promotes being truly involved in the local community. For our Jersey Mike's in West Covina we plan to give back to the community through its high schools," said Cuellar. "Today's youths are tomorrow's future - a worthy investment!" In the spirit of friendly competition, Regie Cuellar has told each high school, "I'm going to contribute an additional $500 to the high school that raises the most during our grand opening."
Reaching out to the community is a key component of Jersey Mike's mission. All franchise owners find ways to support their neighbors and employees are encouraged to volunteer their time and talents as well. "At Jersey Mike's, we believe businesses reach their potential when they give back to their communities," said Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike's founder and CEO. "We congratulate Regie Cuellar for championing the students of Covina and West Covina and for opening his first Jersey Mike's location."
"Jersey Mike's and its passion for the customer experience is a great fit for my personality," said Cuellar. "Serving people and making them happy has always been a priority for me. I'm driven by great personal customer service, looking people in the eye, building lasting friendships, and truly being involved in the local community."
Store hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. You can contact this store directly at (626) 938-7000.
Jersey Mike's, a sub sandwich franchise with more than 500 stores open and under development nationwide, has a long history of community involvement and support. Started at the Jersey Shore in 1956, Jersey Mike's serves authentic East Coast-style subs on fresh baked bread - the same recipe it started with over 50 years ago. The company's mission is to bring its customers the highest quality, freshest made sub in the industry and give back to the communities in which it operates. A store locator and franchise information for Jersey Mike's can be found at www.jerseymikes.com
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
