Epic Wings, originally launched as Wings N’ Things in 1982 by the Sacco Family in San Diego, California, played a key role in introducing buffalo wings to the West Coast. To build awareness for this new offering, they famously handed out free samples, helping customers discover and embrace the concept.
The brand quickly gained a reputation for its unwavering dedication to quality, featuring fresh, never-frozen chicken, scratch-made sauces and dressings, and daily hand-rolled breadsticks.
What truly distinguishes Epic Wings from its rivals is its commitment to freshness: their kitchens operate without freezers, microwaves, or heat lamps, ensuring that every meal is prepared fresh to order.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Epic Wings offers a multi-phase training program to prepare franchisees for successful restaurant operations. Here's an overview of the training provided by the Franchisor:
Epic Wings does provide a limited form of territory protection to its franchisees. Franchisees are granted a “Designated Area,” which may be defined in the agreement and described on a map as Exhibit B.
Within this area, Epic Wings agrees not to establish another franchised restaurant, provided the franchisee remains in good standing. However, the territory protection comes with several exceptions.
The franchisor reserves the right to operate or grant franchises in special venues like military bases, universities, airports, hospitals, and other facilities even if they fall within the designated area.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
Below are some of
Epic Wings
key competitors in the
Chicken
sector.
11
$35,000
$628,000
$1,427,000
n.a.
$2,116,000
$xxx,xxx
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
Nashville Hot Chicken is a fast-casual fried chicken franchise offering spicy chicken sandwiches, tenders, and fries, serving guests seeking bold Southern flavors, and known for proprietary sauces, flexible restaurant, food-truck, and ghost-kitchen models, and streamlined operations designed for rapid expansion.
?
?
Starbird is a fast-casual chicken restaurant franchise offering crispy chicken sandwiches, tenders, salads, and digital-forward ordering, serving convenience-driven diners, and known for super-premium fast food positioning, tech-driven guest experience, and craveable feel-good chicken focused on quality ingredients.
?
?
Wingers Restaurant & Alehouse is a sports-bar franchise offering wings, burgers, craft beer and live game broadcasts, serving sports fans and groups, and known for high-energy environment, full-menu variety and strong franchise support.
?
?
Hot Chikn Kitchn is a fast-casual franchise offering elevated chicken sandwiches, tenders and comfort sides, serving millennials and lunch-dinner diners, and known for chef-driven taste, quality ingredients and modern franchise model.
?
?
Duff's Famous Wings is a casual restaurant franchise offering Buffalo-style wings, sauces, and pub fare, serving sports fans and families, and known for authentic heat levels, hometown heritage, and a lively, welcoming environment.
?
?
Champs Chicken is a hot food franchise offering fried chicken, tenders, sides, and sauces, serving convenience stores and quick-serve customers, and known for turnkey programs, branded merchandising, and consistent, craveable comfort food.
?
?
Choosing a franchise goes beyond reviewing fees and financials — it requires an honest assessment of your goals, skills, and risk tolerance. This article outlines the key questions prospective owners should ask before committing. It helps clarify whether the opportunity aligns with your lifestyle, long-term plans, and operational preferences.
Speaking with current and former franchisees is one of the most reliable ways to understand how a franchise really operates. This guide explains how to conduct validation calls, what questions to ask, and how to identify patterns in feedback. It provides a practical framework for uncovering real performance expectations and support quality.
Not all franchise opportunities offer the same potential. This article breaks down how to evaluate a brand’s industry, financial health, support systems, and competitive positioning. It helps prospective buyers compare options and identify franchises with strong long-term viability.
A clear, well-structured business plan is essential for securing financing and preparing for the realities of franchise ownership. This article explains how to build a plan that covers market analysis, operations, staffing, and local marketing. It also outlines how to create realistic pro forma financials, including revenue projections, startup costs, and break-even analysis. Readers gain a practical framework they can use when applying for loans or planning their first years of operations.
.png)
