Wild Wing Cafe

American restaurant chain

Wild Wing Cafe

Company type| Private
Industry| Restaurant chain
Founded| June 22, 1990; 34 years ago (1990-06-22) in Hilton Head, South Carolina
Headquarters|

Charlotte, North Carolina

United States

Number of locations

| 24 restaurants (2023)[1]

Area served

* Alabama
* Florida
* Georgia
* North Carolina
* South Carolina
* Tennessee
* Texas
* Virginia

Key people

| Mark Cote (President)
Owner|

* Axum Capital Partners (>50%)
* Diane & Cecil Crowley

Website| wildwingcafe.com

Wild Wing Cafe is a restaurant chain in the southern and eastern parts of the United States with 24 locations in nine U.S. states and best known for chicken wings and beer selection. It is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

## Background

[edit]

Their chain's motto is "Hot Wings, Cold Beer, Good Times." Wild Wing Cafe was started by Atlanta native Cecil Crowley and his wife Dianne, who opened the chain's first location in Hilton Head, South Carolina in June 1990.[2][3][4] By 2001, it had grown to seven locations.[5]

On March 17, 2009, Wild Wing Cafe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but would continue operating its restaurants during the process.[6]

In January 2012, a majority interest in the chain was secured by Charlotte, North Carolina–based Axum Capital Partnership, an investment company whose founders include a former National Football League Pro Bowler, Muhsin Muhammad.[7]

Some locations feature live music in the evenings, and recording artist Edwin McCain started his career playing shows at Wild Wing Cafe.[8][9]

On July 19, 2023, Wild Wing Cafe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time after closing 15 restaurants in early 2023, blaming impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and failure to pay a $12.5 million loan.[10][1]

In May 2024, Wild Wing Cafe warned that it may either have to dismiss its bankruptcy procedure or convert it into a Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. The company has failed to file timely reports, pay taxes in time, and gross mismanagement.[11]

## Locations

[edit]

Wild Wing Cafe is currently located throughout nine different states in the U.S. with a total of 24 locations as of 2023.[1] Some operations are company owned locations whereas some are franchised.[12]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Wild Wing Café closes restaurants and declares bankruptcy". Restaurant Business Online. July 27, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
2. ^ Wild Wing Cafe, Hilton Head Monthly (March 2003)
3. ^ (March 3, 2005). EAT: NEIGHBORHOOD NOSH: Wild Wing Cafe, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, p.15
4. ^ (July 1, 2011). Home grown: Lowcountry-based businesses that have gone national, Hilton Head Monthly
5. ^ (June 22, 2001). Wild Wing celebrates birthday, The Island Packet
6. ^ "Wild Wing Cafe files for bankruptcy". The Franchise Mall. March 18, 2009. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
7. ^ Slade, David. "Wild Wing Cafe company sold".
8. ^ Bates, Ashely (July 26, 2007). New Wild Wing Cafe draws varied crowds, local music, Gainesville Times
9. ^ (June 17, 2010). Edwin McCain returns for a Wingstock cameo, Beaufort Gazette
10. ^ "Wild Wing Cafe files for bankruptcy, facing 500 creditors, HomeTrust default claim". Biz Journals. July 27, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
11. ^ "Wild Wing Cafe faces possible liquidation". Yahoo! Finance. May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
12. ^ Salgado, Brian. Wild Wing Café, Food * Drink, Retrieved December 6, 2011