Wings Etc. Springfield to defend ‘Best Hot Wings’ title at 21st Annual Wingapalooza

This year’s Wingapalooza will feature nearly 30 vendors, including Wings Etc. Springfield, who have participated for three years in a row.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Oct. 31, 2022)—Wings Etc. Springfield is heading back to this year’s annual Wingapalooza event on Nov. 5, 2022, to defend the title of “Best Hot Wings,” which they earned last year. Nearly 30 vendors, including Wings Etc., will attend this year’s event, which includes a wing eating contest, local bands, cold beer, and a variety of blind-taste-test categories.

“This will be our third year competing,” said Wings Etc. Springfield General Manager, Chris Denney. “Last year, we won ‘Best Hot Wings,’ so we’re definitely looking to defend that title. This is a really great event that we love being a part of each year.”

Wingapalooza is billed as America’s Oldest Buffalo Wing Festival and is in its 21^st year of celebrating chicken wings. Over 5,000 visitors are expected during this year’s event. Each attendee will have access to over 30 different booths run by local restaurants where they can sample wings from area eateries.

This year, Wings Etc. Springfield plans to enter several categories with some of their most beloved sauces.

“Last year, we won 1^st place for Best Tasting Hot Wing with our Atomic sauce, so we may enter that sauce again,” said Denney. “We have several sauce flavors for eventgoers to try such as Tweener, Mahalo-Que, Sweet Chili Cha Cha, Hot Honey Garlic, and more. We will be choosing our favorites of those to enter for each category.”

Blind-taste-test categories include Best Traditional Buffalo Wing, Best BBQ Wing, Best Exotic Wing, and Best Boneless Wing—both of which Wings Etc. Springfield plans to enter.

This year’s theme for the event is “The ‘80s.” Each vendor booth will be decorated for the theme, and eventgoers are encouraged to dress the part. One vendor will walk away with the Fat Cluck Award, which goes to the group who brings in the most money to the event. To help Wings Etc. Springfield win the Fat Cluck Award, use discount code WINGSETC22 when purchasing tickets online.

Additionally, Wings Etc. fans will have the opportunity to vote for the local restaurant in the Facebook Choice Awards by visiting https://poll.app.do/wingapalooza-2022-facebook-choice-award.

Wingapalooza was created by the Sertoma Club of Springfield, which utilizes event proceeds to raise money for children’s charities such as the Boys and Girls Club.

“We love participating in this event because not only is it a great way for us to help support the local children’s charities, but this also gives us an opportunity to meet those in the community who haven’t had a chance to visit Wings Etc. yet,” said Denney. “It is a lot of fun with live bands, tons of people attending, and a lot of great food. We can’t wait to see everyone there.”

The 21^st Wingapalooza event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Springfield EXPO Center.

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.

©2022 Wings Etc., Inc. Franchises independently owned and operated.