WingHouse Bar & Grill

Burnett secured the rights to a closed restaurant ("Knockers") and opened "The WingHouse" restaurant in Largo, Florida. The restaurant imitated Hooters, but designed to be a family-friendly atmosphere.[1] The chain's future locations expanded on this model.

In 1994, Burnett took on an investor, Crawford Ker, to expand into a restaurant chain. The initial goal was to open 20 to 50 locations, and then sell the chain to a larger restaurant chain or investors. Two additional locations were opened in the Tampa Bay area between 1994-1997.

As of 2007, the company had 1,700 employees at 22 locations with revenue of nearly $60 million. The company participated in the 2007 National Buffalo Wing Festival and won first place in the traditional x-hot sauce category.[2]

On June 4, 2008 the company announced the launch of its national franchise program. In mid-2008 the chain operated 19 locations in Florida and Texas and expected to add six franchises by the end of 2008 and 48 by 2011. The initial focus was for franchises in the Southeastern US.[3][4]

WingHouses feature several amenities including a full liquor bar in every store, sports memorabilia decor, and in some locations, a game room.[5]

Crawford Ker and "WingHouse Girls" in 2013

Ker won a $1.2-million jury award from Hooters in late 2004, which had sued him for trademark violations for allegedly using their uniforms and decor. After a three-week trial, the jury ruled that no trademark infringement existed.[6] Hooters appealed the decision, but in June 2006, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta upheld the verdict.[7]

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