Wing Zone plans to open an average of at least one new international location per month in 2019. The company operates 24 restaurants in 5 countries outside the U.S. Wing Zone will focus on Central America, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and Europe for continued global expansion. Specifically, the company plans to open seven new Wing Zone units in Panama and five additional restaurants in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, before the end of the year.
“Chicken is a huge part of the daily menu internationally, and our bold flavors, early entry, established brand recognition overseas and convenient delivery model all combine to help the Wing Zone brand expand outside of our U.S. roots,” says Hair Parra, COO of Wing Zone and head of international development.
While many menu and other elements of the Wing Zone brand are the same as in the U.S., the international locations each have some unique qualities tied to local tastes and culture. For example, Wing Stop will serve Asian-style wings that include the tip in its Manila locations. Local desserts will also be available in both countries, and new restaurants will feature tableside service and silverware.
Today, Wing Zone operates more than 80 locations across the globe. In the U.S., Wing Zone will open eight new domestic locations in 2019 in target markets in North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama.