FRANCHISEE SPOTLIGHT
Richard
Story
Wingin’ It, LLC
+ Partner: James Koza
+ Year Became a BWW Franchisee: 2009
+ Total Number of BWW Locations: 4
+ Total Number of Employees: 371
How did you and your partner meet?
My operating partner, James Koza, and I met when we
both worked for J. Alexander’s. I was their director of development and he was a general manager. I signed the [Buffalo
Wild Wings®] Franchise Agreement before James was on
board – I talked him into coming along for the ride.
What drew you to the brand?
My two teenage boys, Thomas and William, fell in love
with BWW. About the same time, I was working in California when one opened in Chino Hills. While eating there,
I couldn’t help notice the wide appeal to all ages and socioeconomic groups. Wings, beer and sports never seem to go
out of style.
What is your favorite thing about the brand?
The fact that people love the concept. It appeals to
my teenage sons, my 85-year-old mother and everyone in
between.
What other concepts do you own?
Rick Story, in front of the office building for both companies he owns,
Wingin’ It, LLC and Story Construction Company.
Describe your best recent business decision:
I completed a sale-leaseback on my first three properties.
It erased debt and gave us capital for future expansion.
What is the best business advice you have
received?
Quality and service are everything. Cheap prices are
forgotten, but bad quality will be remembered forever.
Describe the biggest industry change since you
started:
Technology. From online ordering to smartphone apps,
technology is changing faster than I can keep up with it –
maybe I’m getting old!
Describe your current biggest challenge as a
franchisee:
What are your current top three business goals?
What is your favorite BWW wing sauce?
1) To consistently deliver a quality product and service
in both the restaurants and construction.
2) To always treat every employee, guest and client with
the utmost respect.
3) To use 1 and 2 to develop repeat guests and clients.
It’s a toss-up between Asian Zing and Hot BBQ.
If I weren’t a franchisee, I would be …
Mowing grass would be my dream job … no phones and
grass doesn’t complain. S
19
SCORE | 2016 Issue 2
The biggest challenge is finding available sites that
can generate enough revenue to support the investment,
coupled with rising food and labor costs, margins are getting
squeezed.
THE
I am a general contractor specializing in restaurant
construction. Story Construction Company is licensed in 46
states, from New York to Hawaii.