CT-Based Chicken Wing Chain Moving Into Tampa Bay Area

TAMPA, FL — Wing It On!, a Connecticut-based wing chain, is continuing its Florida expansion with a new location coming to Tampa, according to a news release.

The restaurant will open by the middle of this year at 6602 E. MLK Jr. Blvd., That’s So Tampa reported.

This will be the brand’s second location in the Sunshine State. The first opened in Mt. Dora.

"Tampa has a serious appetite for bold flavors, and Wing It On! is ready to deliver," Matt Ensero, co-founder and brand president, said. "Building on our success in Mt. Dora, this location brings our award-winning sauces, flavor-packed crispy chicken and champion-level guest experience to a community that loves craveworthy eats. We're excited to share more Wing It On! with our fans in Florida."

The Tampa restaurant will be operated by Jignes Patel, who has two decades of foodservice and multi-unit experience. He’s previously owned a deli, operated a network of gas stations and convenience stores, and, for the past five years, ran multiple quick-service restaurants.

Wing It On!, a four-time champion at the National Buffalo Wing Festival, is known for “its perfectly crispy wings,” house-made dips, and award-winning sauces, including “America’s Best-Tasting Sauce” for four consecutive years, the news release said.

Its menu also offers 20 unique sauces and rubs, handcrafted chicken sandwiches, and loaded fries and other sides.

Florida remains a key market in the brand's expansion strategy. From the Southeast to the Northeast, Wing It On! continues to grow its footprint with franchise opportunities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

In addition to Connecticut and Florida, the brand operates restaurants in North Carolina, New Jersey, Illinois and Texas.

"Wing It On! is entering the Tampa market with its gloves up and its team locked in," Sam Stanovich, senior vice president of franchise development at Craveworthy, the brand’s parent company, said. "We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our franchisees from day one, bringing serious training, operational muscle and a proven playbook to the fight. Pair that with our championship-caliber wings and guest experience, and you've got a brand built to win in communities hungry for real flavor."

See Also:

• Tampa Chef Among 2026 James Beard Semifinalists
• Taco Chain Building First FL Restaurant In Tampa Bay Area
• Tampa Coffee Company To Open In-Store Cafes At Sprouts Grocery Stores
• 100-Year-Old Clearwater Beach Restaurant Bought By Hospitality Group
• Waterfront Mediterranean Restaurant Opening At Renovated St. Pete Hotel
• Iconic Burger Stand To Reopen In Sarasota Under New Ownership