Community support helps Wings Etc. Connersville celebrate 1-year anniversary

Despite opening during a global pandemic, Wings Etc. Connersville is celebrating its first anniversary of being open thanks to a supportive community

CONNERSVILLE, Ind. (Oct. 15, 2021)—Despite a global pandemic raging on, Connersville residents Matt and Jennifer Sherck used the early part of 2020 to move forward with plans to open their first restaurant in the small town in southern Indiana. Although the restaurant industry had taken a major blow early in 2020, with heavy restrictions put in place to help slow the spread of the virus, the Shercks were determined to open their new Wings Etc. Grill and Pub franchise and see it succeed. In September 2020, the pair opened the doors to their restaurant and recently celebrated a full year in service.

“It’s been a very eye-opening experience for us,” said Matt of opening a restaurant during a pandemic. “We’ve made it through with the support of our community.”

Matt, who runs the family farm and works full-time in the Connersville community, had just the experience to make sure guests were safe during the opening of the new Wings Etc. While restrictions in the town loosened just three days before Wings Etc. Connersville’s grand opening, it was only a few weeks later when area restaurants put social distancing practices back into place.

Jennifer, who was in banking prior to the opening of Wings Etc. Connersville, now spends much of her time working at the restaurant. The pair were big fans of the award-winning jumbo buffalo chicken wing franchise before bringing it to their hometown.
“We ate at Wings Etc. in Goshen, Ind., on a regular basis,” said Matt. “One day we were eating there, and we looked around and saw the clientele, saw the business was busy, and knew that it would be popular in our area as well. From day one, we liked the Wings Etc. food, how the franchising works, and the people in charge.”

“We always had great food and great service at Wings Etc.,” added Jennifer. “They always offered a ‘hometown vibe’ for us so it made sense to bring it to our hometown and offer that feeling of comfort to others.”

Now that the first year is in the books, Matt and Jennifer said they look forward to years to come, to getting to know more of the community, and to using the restaurant to give back to those in Connersville.

“It’s been a great experience, and I’m glad we did it,” Jennifer noted. “We have had a lot of support from our community, and that’s been a huge blessing. I love to get up every day and come in here. I look forward to seeing the ways we can grow, the ways we can give back to our community, and what we can do in general.”

“We built in Connersville because we are from Connersville, and we’re staying in Connersville,” Matt added. “We want to support the community as much as they support us. We want to be a partner with the community and make Connersville an even better place.”

Wings Etc. Connersville is located at 2132 N. Park Road, Connersville, Ind., and offers a wide variety of foods, drinks, and sport-related entertainment.

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.