Noted Local Business Leader to Enact `Employees-to-Owners’ Program at New Location

In a deal marking its 100 th location nationwide, award-winning takeout/delivery chain Wing Zone announced today that noted local political activist/entrepreneur Noble Benefield will open a new Atlanta Wing Zone Franchise in early August that will help promote the chain’s commitment to creating job and franchise ownership opportunities in America’s inner cities.

Wing Zone is one of the nation’s fastest-growing take-out/delivery franchise concepts, best noted for its 25 flavors of fresh, cooked-to-order Buffalo chicken wings, with more than 60 locations operating nationwide and 42 more in development. Interest in the Wing Zone franchise concept has significantly “heated up” since receiving coverage on the Prime Time Food Network program “Roker on the Road” and winning back-to-back awards at the National Buffalo Wing Festival in 2003 and 2004.

In 2005 alone, Wing Zone has awarded Franchises to five new individuals, among them Benefield, an experienced Restaurant and business executive and a strong advocate of urban development programs for the past 25 years. Among his previous business and community achievements, Benefield served as Executive Director of the Georgia Institute for Community and Business Development in Atlanta . His Wing Zone location will be the third to open in the Atlanta market, with yet another franchisee scheduled to open an additional Atlanta- area Wing Zone later this summer.

Stan Friedman , Executive Vice President and a partner in the Wing Zone Franchise Corp. is a strong advocate of urban development and minority outreach programs. For the past 10 years, Friedman has been promoting the cause at the national level through governmental lobbying activities and as an active leader in the International Franchising Association (IFA)’s Minorities in Franchising Committee. In fact, Benefield’s and Friedman’s paths first crossed in 1998 when Friedman, at that time an executive with Blimpie International, recruited Benefield to serve on an advisory board for a minority/urban outreach program. The program earned Friedman an audience with then U.S. President Bill Clinton.

“Today, Benefield sees his affiliation with Wing Zone as a tremendous opportunity to launch a successful Franchise Opportunity in Atlanta and to champion a shared mission of bringing business ownership opportunities to underserved communities,” Friedman said. “Noble will represent our brand well and together, we will open doors of opportunity for those that might otherwise not have ever had a chance for business ownership.”

For example, Benefield’s location will use a12-point teaching model of categories towards personal development. Resources such as financing programs, teaching materials that focus on building business minds and promoting literacy resources throughout the community will be made available. In addition, a points system for employees will allow them to earn equity in his franchise.

“The teaching model and points system will build self-respect and create a legacy that employees can pass on to their children,” Benefield said. “That’s the difference between earning a check and building wealth. We will recruit high-caliber people at entry-level positions and lower our turnover rate by promoting them within the system.”

About Wing Zone
While earning customer loyalty from consumers nationwide, Wing Zone is also receiving recognition from within the food service and franchise industries. In fact, Wing Zone was rated a Top 20 New Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine (Jan. 2004), included in Bond’s Top 100 Franchise Opportunities, ranked in Franchise Times’ Fast 55 and was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing, privately held companies in America. In addition, Wing Zone received the “Out-of-Town Festival Favorite” award at the Third Annual National Buffalo Wing Festival held in Buffalo , New York in 2004. Wing Zone previously received the “Most Creative Sauce” Award at the 2003 National Buffalo Wing Festival.

Wing Zone was founded in 1991 at the University of Florida by Matt Friedman and Adam Scott, who cooked wings with homemade sauces in their fraternity house kitchen and delivered them to fellow college students. After expanding with several Wing Zone locations, Scott and Friedman began franchising Wing Zone in 1999. Wing Zone currently has 60 locations with 40 more in development to open by the end of 2005.

Franchise News Release: Atlanta, GA - (Mar-22-2005)