Established
1993
Franchise Units
24
Minimum Investment
$200,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$600,000
Home Based
No
Description
WINGERS first opened in Bountiful, Utah in 1993, launching in a small 2,800 square foot diner building. The brand quickly built a reputation for its legendary Original Wings, handcrafted menu offerings, and signature Original Wingers Sauce.
Over the following decades, WINGERS developed into a well-known and popular regional brand throughout the intermountain area, while intentionally limiting expansion into other territories.
In 2016, the company introduced the first WINGERS Alehouse location in the Boise, Idaho market. The rebrand included the addition of a significantly expanded beer-on-tap selection, which led to an immediate sales increase of nearly 60%, with continued growth afterward.
Today, WINGERS has begun offering new franchise territories throughout the Midwestern United States, with a strategic focus on small and mid-sized markets. These communities are considered the brand’s core growth opportunity and “bread and butter” expansion strategy.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
- $2.1 Million AUV for Alehouse Stores
- Small & Mid-Sized Market Niche
- Strong Training & Support Systems
- Leading Real Estate & Site Selection Program
- Specializes in 2nd Generation Buildings
- 3rd Party Financing Available
Background
- Established Year: 1993
- Franchising Since: 1998
- Franchise active Units: 24
- Founders: Eric and Scott Slaymaker
- Headquarters: Salt Lake City, Utah
- Brand Journey: What started as a 2,800-square-foot modular diner in Bountiful, Utah, has evolved into a powerhouse regional brand. In 2016, the brand underwent a strategic evolution into the "Alehouse" concept, adding 40+ taps and scratch-made kitchen protocols, which saw sales jump significantly in pilot locations.
- States Registered In: Arizona (AZ), Colorado (CO), Idaho (ID), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Mexico (NM), North Dakota (ND), Oklahoma (OK), South Dakota (SD), Texas (TX), Utah (UT), Wyoming (WY)
- Industry Category: Casual Dining / Sports Bar / Alehouse.
- Canada Franchises: Yes
- International Franchises: No
Support Training
Support & Training Provided
Financial Assistance Provided: No
Site Selection Assistance: Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance: No
Recruiting Assistance: No
Cooperative Advertising: Yes
Training Program
The WINGERS franchise Operations Partner and store management team are required to complete the full WINGERS training curriculum, including the 12-week WINGERS Manager Boot Camp, conducted at a corporate restaurant location.
All store team members must also complete the online WINGERS Academy training program. Training tracks are customized based on whether employees work in the Back of House (kitchen) or Front of House (service and host positions).
WINGERS Academy courses include both written materials and video learning modules. All participants must successfully complete required testing and certification to become full WINGERS team members.
New Store Opening Support
For new restaurant openings, WINGERS deploys its Corporate Opening Team one week before launch. This team works directly with store management to oversee:
Pre-opening staff training
Pre-opening events and parties
Mock service operations
Key corporate team members also remain on-site during the first full week after the public opening to provide continued operational support.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for "Wingers Nation" believers—not just investors. The ideal partner is:
An Experienced Operator: Someone with a background in business management or the restaurant industry who understands the "people-first" nature of hospitality.
A Culture Warrior: You must be obsessed with developing your team and creating a "guest-focused" environment.
Community-Minded: Someone who wants to be the "Mayor" of their restaurant, networking with local teams and participating in town events.
Financial Capability: Candidates should have the liquid capital and net worth required to scale, ideally with a multi-unit growth mindset.
Location Preference: We are currently seeking partners in AZ, CO, ID, KS, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, OK, SD, TX, UT, and WY, specifically focusing on high-visibility sites near major highway exits or hotel clusters.
Financial Detail
- Required Cash Investment: $250,000
- Estimated Total Investment: $200,000 to $600,000
- Minimum Net Worth Requirement: $500,000
- Franchise Fee: $35,000
- Royalty Fee: Not applicable
- Advertising Fee: Not applicable
- Item 19 Available: Yes
- Average Number of Employees: Not specified
- Visa Candidates Accepted: No
- Passive Ownership Allowed: No
- Home-Based Operation: No
- B2B Opportunity: No
- Master Franchise Opportunities Available: No
- Veteran Discount Offered: No