Wings Etc. Celebrates 31 Years as Hometown Favorite

Even after winning Best Wings in South Bend every year they’ve been in business, the team at Wings Etc. never takes a second of success for granted.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — It’s the vote of confidence that tells Wings Etc. Grill & Pub leadership they’re on the right track: winning the Best Wings category 31 years in a row in the annual South Bend Community’s Choice Awards, sponsored by the South Bend Tribune. This year they added a second distinction: Wings Etc. was voted Best Sports Bar as well.

The region is home to Wings Etc. and to Jim Weaver, who opened the first restaurant in 1994 in Mishawaka, Indiana, followed by a second in South Bend. Today, the brand has grown to 82 corporate-owned and franchised locations across the Midwest and South.

“It’s always an honor to be recognized by the community, the people who we see day in and day out,” said CEO Rob Hensmann. “But to win for 31 years in a row is an amazing accomplishment, and we couldn’t be prouder. Thank you to everyone who voted.”

Each year, the South Bend Community’s Choice Awards recognizes more than 450 businesses and organizations. The process begins in May with public nominations; the most-nominated businesses in each category advance to a round of voting by the public in July. Winners are announced at a celebration gala on October 1.

Even as Wings Etc. has expanded its roster of bold new “Big Flavor” menu items to include 22 signature sauces, dips and rubs, the award-winning formula remains the same: high-quality, never-frozen jumbo chicken wings coated in mouthwatering Buffalo-style sauce. It’s a commitment that wings fans appreciate year after year.

The Best Wings and Best Sports Bar honor is shared across the team, Hensmann added. “It’s a credit to the employees who go to work every day determined to provide the best food and service possible,” he said.

Wings Etc. operates nine locations in the Michiana area, including two in South Bend and the original location in Mishawaka, where the brand continues to champion local charities and causes via Dine to Donate events and other community programs.

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About Wings Etc. Grill & Pub

 Founded in 1994 by Jim Weaver in northern Indiana, Wings Etc. is a family-friendly grill and pub featuring award-winning jumbo Buffalo wings, 22 signature sauces and rubs, dozens of TVs tuned to sports programming and a casual, non-corporate-y, laid-back vibe that makes people want to just come in and hang out. See wingsetc.com.

With 82 corporate and franchise locations, Wings Etc. has enjoyed more than 30 years of successful franchise growth. Wings Etc. has been listed among Entrepreneur magazine’s “Top 500 Franchises” and was included in the magazine’s “Top Chicken Franchises” in 2024. It has been named one of Franchise Business Review’s “Top Food Franchises” and a “Top 200 Franchise.” Wings Etc. has been included in Franchise Gator’s “Top 100 Franchises” and its “Fastest Growing Franchises”; it was among the “Top Emerging Franchises” in 2023. Wings Etc. has also been awarded “Best Wings” in multiple markets. See www.wingsetcfranchise.com.

The Wings Etc. Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is dedicated to improving children’s lives. Learn more at wingsetcfoundation.com.

©2025 Wings Etc., Inc. Franchises independently owned and operated.