Wings Etc. Wins Best Wings in Michiana for 32nd Year, Voted Best Sports Bar

The brand has won Best Wings every year since opening in 1994 and was voted Best Sports Bar for the second year in a row. Wings Etc. was a finalist for Family Friendly Dining.  

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — It’s an honor that Wings Etc. Grill & Pub leadership never takes for granted: voted Best Wings 32 years in a row in the region where it all started. The brand also won Best Sports Bar for a second year, and Wings Etc. was a finalist in the Family Friendly Dining category in the annual South Bend Community’s Choice Awards, sponsored by the South Bend Tribune. 

Wings Etc. founder Jim Weaver opened the first restaurant in 1994 in Mishawaka, Indiana, followed by a second in South Bend. The company chose to open the first Wings Etc. 2Go in its hometown as well. Today, the brand has more than 80 corporate-owned and franchised locations in 13 states.

“These awards tell us that our neighbors and guests recognize our commitment to serving them with quality and excellence,” said CEO Rob Hensmann. “We never take that loyalty for granted, and we’re grateful for their support.”

Each year, the South Bend Community’s Choice Awards recognizes businesses and organizations in 150 categories. The process begins in May with public nominations; the most-nominated businesses in each category advance to a round of voting by the public in July. A record-breaking 162,000 people voted this year; winners were announced at a celebration gala on September 29.

In the past year, Wings Etc. has launched more bold and innovative Big Flavor items, including their current limited-time offer, the Ranch Flight that lets guests choose any three of five house-made varieties of the fan favorite. But the award-winning wings haven’t changed: high-quality, never-frozen jumbo chicken wings coated in mouthwatering Buffalo-style sauce.

The Community’s Choice awards belong to everyone on the Wings Etc. team, Hensmann said. “Our staff has been serving great food and creating a place where people want to spend time for 32 years. They’re at the heart of what we do.”

Wings Etc. operates nine Wings Etc. Grill & Pub locations in the Michiana area, including two in South Bend and the original location in Mishawaka, as well as a Wings Etc. 2Go that opened in January 2026 in South Bend. Wings Etc. also remains active in the Michiana community through its support of Toys for Tots, Dine to Donate events and other local causes.

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About Wings Etc.

Founded in 1994 by Jim Weaver in northern Indiana, Wings Etc. is a brand specializing in over-the-top flavor and over-the-top value. The brand includes two concepts: the award-winning, full-service Wings Etc. Grill & Pub with sports programming and a full bar, and the nimble, quick-service restaurant Wings Etc. 2Go. Guests of both restaurants can choose and customize their Big Flavor from more than 20 delicious sauces, rubs and dips. See wingsetc.com.

With more than 80 corporate and franchise locations, Wings Etc. has enjoyed three decades of successful franchise growth. Wings Etc. has been listed among Entrepreneur magazine’s “Top 500 Franchises” and was included in the magazine’s “Top Chicken Franchises” in 2024. It has been named one of Franchise Business Review’s “Top Food Franchises” and a “Top 200 Franchise.” Wings Etc. has been included in Franchise Gator’s “Top 100 Franchises” and its “Fastest Growing Franchises”; it was among the “Top Emerging Franchises” in 2023. Wings Etc. is one of the Top 400 in Franchise Times; it has also been awarded “Best Wings” in multiple markets. See www.wingsetcfranchise.com.

The Wings Etc. Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is dedicated to improving children’s lives. Learn more at wingsetcfoundation.com.

©2026 Wings Etc., Inc. Franchises independently owned and operated.