Operations

Capriotti's, Wing Zone execs give us the why behind the merger

Las Vegas-based Capriotti's Sandwich Shop has acquired Wing Zone, a fast casual brand based in Atlanta.

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January 5, 2021

Editor's note: Updated at 8 p.m., Jan. 5

Las Vegas-based Capriotti's Sandwich Shop has acquired Wing Zone, a fast casual brand based in Atlanta, according to a company press release.

"The acquisition is a natural fit for both brands, as Capriotti's and Wing Zone share many of the same internal values and organizational goals," said Capriotti's CEO Ashely Morris, who is now the CEO of Wing Zone as well. "We look forward to leveraging our expertise in franchising, operational excellence and technology with Wing Zone's off-premise experience to help both brands continue to grow. We are thrilled to welcome Wing Zone into the Capriotti's family and are excited about what lies ahead."

Wing Zone Co-founders Adam Scott and CEO Matt Friedman will stay on in advisory roles, COO David Bloom told FastCasual.

"Their passion, dedication and commitment to the long-term success of the Wing Zone brand is a large reason they sought strategic investors with the expertise, resources, and proven ability to grow and build great brands in the fast-casual space," he said.

Friedman said the reasoning behind the sale was simple.

"Wing Zone will grow faster and stronger with Capriotti's," said Friedman, who retained a minority ownership stake in Wing Zone and will continue to serve on the Board of Directors. Scott will do the same. "They have the leadership and capital to take wing zone to a national brand. We have been looking for the right partner for several years and we found it with Capriotti's."

Capriotti's and Wing Zone share a mutual focus on serving both in-store and off-premise customers. Between Capriotti's tech-forward strategy, infrastructure and profitability, and Wing Zone's innovative delivery systems that cater to the rising demand for off-premise dining, both brands will bring each other a tremendous depth of service, Morris said.

Collectively, Capriotti's and Wing Zone are rounding out 2020 with more than $100 million in system-wide sales, and have plans to grow forward together, serving high-quality handmade subs and fresh, flavorful wings to more than 150 communities globally and counting.

"This year has presented a unique set of challenges for restaurants nationwide and Capriotti's was no exception," Morris said. "I am incredibly grateful for the commitment and support of our franchise partners and their teams for their dedication to helping Capriotti's safely serve communities across the country. While 2020 has been filled with hurdles, it's been one of the most rewarding and successful years in the history of the organization. We're looking forward to growing from here."

Next steps
Bloom said his team will continue to review and update Wing Zone's branding and menu as part of an aggressive national expansion plan. One of its first investments in the brand is to build several corporate Wing Zone shops in Las Vegas, where Capriotti's is headquartered.

"We believe that it's important that we are in the same business as our franchise partners, so it's important for us to live it and know the business inside and out on a daily basis," Bloom said. "It also gives us the platform we need for training, testing and developing our people, products, platforms and processes. Plus, we love the business and we believe it clearly sets us apart in the franchise industry as it does for us with Capriotti's. "

The companies would not disclose the cost of the merger.

Founded in 1976, Capriotti's Sandwich Shop has 115 locations.

The first Wing Zone opened in 1993 and has 31 locations in North America and 36 internationally.