TAMPA, Fla. — Wing It On!, a chicken wing franchise backed by multi-brand restaurant platform Craveworthy Brands, plans to open its first Tampa location mid-2026. The opening will mark the brand’s second restaurant in Florida.
The move follows a recent opening in Mt. Dora, Florida. It also reflects the company’s broader strategy to expand its East Coast footprint through franchised locations across the Southeast.
The Tampa restaurant will be operated by franchisee Jignesh Patel. Patel brings more than 20 years of foodservice and multi-unit operating experience.
His background includes ownership of quick-service restaurants, convenience stores, and a deli concept. According to the company, Patel’s experience running high-volume operations played a role in Wing It On!’s decision to select Tampa as its next Florida market.
Wing It On! was founded in 2011 and has built its identity around chicken wings, house-made sauces, and off-premises-friendly restaurant formats. The brand has earned multiple accolades at the National Buffalo Wing Festival, including repeated recognition for its sauce lineup.
What Wing It On! is bringing to Tampa
The Tampa location is expected to follow the brand’s established menu and operating model, which emphasizes streamlined kitchens and delivery-ready menus.
Key menu and format highlights include:
- Over 20 sauces and dry rubs, including multiple award-winning flavors
- Handcrafted chicken sandwiches and loaded fries
- House-made dips prepared in-store
- A restaurant footprint designed to support takeout, delivery, and digital ordering
Company executives say Florida remains a priority market as Wing It On! continues adding locations across the Southeast and Northeast, including states such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.
Leadership perspective on the expansion
In discussing the Tampa opening, Wing It On! Co-founder and Brand President Matt Ensero said the market aligns with the brand’s flavor-forward positioning and recent performance in Florida. He noted that the Tampa location builds on early traction in the state and extends the brand’s reach into a larger metropolitan area.
From a franchising standpoint, Craveworthy Brands views Tampa as part of a broader push into high-growth Sun Belt markets. Sam Stanovich, senior vice president of franchise development at Craveworthy Brands, said the company is focused on pairing experienced operators with systems designed for operational consistency and scale.
Industry context: franchise growth, off-premises focus
Wing It On!’s Tampa expansion reflects broader trends within the restaurant and CPG-adjacent foodservice space. Franchise brands are increasingly targeting secondary and high-growth metro areas in the Southeast, where population growth and delivery demand continue to outpace national averages.
The brand’s emphasis on digital ordering, loyalty programs, and off-premises dining mirrors a wider industry shift toward operational efficiency and flexible footprints, particularly as labor costs and real estate pressures remain elevated.
Why it matters
Wing It On!’s expansion in Florida highlights how emerging restaurant brands are scaling through experienced franchise operators. It also reflects a broader shift toward delivery-friendly menus and simplified operations.
Competition continues to intensify across crowded fast-casual categories. As a result, brands that pair strong unit economics with distinctive flavor profiles are better positioned for sustainable growth.
The addition of a Tampa location signals continued confidence in the Southeast. The region is increasingly viewed as a launchpad for national restaurant expansion strategies.
Editor’s note: Source86 perspective
For food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and private label partners, Wing It On!’s expansion underscores a key industry theme: growth depends on repeatable systems and reliable sourcing as brands scale into new markets. As restaurant concepts add locations, consistency in flavor, food safety, and supply chain execution becomes critical.
At Source86, we support foodservice and private label brands with bulk ingredient sourcing, supplier verification, FSQA oversight, and co-manufacturing partnerships, helping growing concepts maintain quality and transparency as they expand into new regions. Let’s talk.
FAQs
The Tampa restaurant is slated to open mid-2026, according to the company.
The location will be operated by Jignesh Patel, a multi-unit foodservice operator with more than two decades of industry experience.
The Tampa restaurant will be the brand’s second location in Florida, following its Mt. Dora opening.
External source: Wing It On! Brings the Heat to Tampa, Fueling a Southeast Winning Streak
