Fast-growing English fried chicken restaurant chain Wingers has included Northern Ireland as part of its latest expansion plans.
The company, set up in 2020 by the Sunner family, is targeting 30 new sites by the end of 2025.
Known for its buttermilk fried chicken wings and tenders, the company has expanded to 14 restaurants since opening its first site in Aldridge five years ago.
The growth of the West Midlands company has been driven by the franchise model the Sunner family has adopted.
Co-founder Bill Sunner, who heads Wingers’ franchise department, said the hospitality firm is offering full training and turnkey restaurants to operators who sign up for new sites.
Known for its buttermilk fried chicken wings and tenders, Wingers has expanded to 14 sites since opening its first restaurant in 2020.
“When we first launched during the pandemic, we had no idea our top notch, buttermilk fried chicken would take off like it has,” he said.
“As a result, Wingers has great potential for further growth.
“It now means there is a real opportunity for business minded individuals looking to run a thriving franchise and we are inviting applications for more experienced QSR [quick service restaurant] professionals in all parts of the country including Northern Ireland to join us on our expansion journey.”
Northern Ireland has already experienced an influx of international chicken restaurant chains over the past year.
New Orleans’ chicken chain Popeyes and Canada’s Mary Brown’s Chicken both opened sites in the north last year, with the latter using Northern Ireland as a testing ground for its European expansion.
Last year also saw the Arkansas-founded Slim Chickens open its first drive-thru outside the US at Sprucefield.
The North American chicken trend has continued into 2025, with Chick-fil-A openings two restaurants inside Applegreen sites along the M1 and M2 motorways.
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