WingHouse Bar & Grill, formerly known as Ker's WingHouse Bar & Grill, is a restaurant chain based in Florida. It was created and founded by Ed Burnett, with financial support for expansion provided by investor and former National Football League player Crawford Ker. The establishment is known for employing the "breastaurant" concept, featuring servers known as "WingHouse Girls".
History Burnett transformed a closed restaurant, "Knockers", into "The WingHouse" in Largo, Florida,Benham, Kelley:"A wing and a player" St. Petersburg Times, July 15, 2005] after acquiring its rights.
In 1994, Burnett partnered with investor Crawford Ker to expand the restaurant into a chain. The initial objective was to establish 20 to 50 locations and eventually sell the chain to a larger restaurant chain or investors. Between 1994 and 1997, two additional WingHouse locations opened in the Tampa Bay area.
In late 2004 Hooters sued the restaurant for trademark violations regarding their uniforms and decor. After a three-week trial, the jury ruled that no trademark infringement existed.Raoux, John: "Hooters loses copycat court battle against fledgling chain Ker's Winghouse" Orlando Sentinel, December 3, 2004 Hooters appealed the decision, but in June 2006, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta upheld the verdict and ultimately Ker won a $1.2-million jury award from Hooters.Salinero, Mike: "Hooters Loses Suit To Rival On Appeal" Tampa Tribune, June 17, 2006
As of 2007, the company had 1,700 employees at 22 locations with revenue of nearly $60 million. The company won first place in the "traditional x-hot sauce" category of the 2007 National Buffalo Wing Festival.WLBT Channel 3: September 6, 2007-Ker's WingHouse Bar and Grill voted #1 at National Buffalo Wing Festival
On June 4, 2008, the company announced a franchise program. In mid-2008, the chain operated 19 locations in Florida and Texas. The initial focus was for franchises in the Southeastern US."Ker's WingHouse makes Texas debut, eyes 10 more" Nation's Restaurant News, November 28, 2005
From 2014 to 2019, Soaring Wings LLC owned the company; however, as of 2021, this entity is inactive.
WingHouses have a bar, sports memorabilia decor, and in some locations, a game room.Bond, Sharon: "Newest venue's sporting wings" St. Petersburg Times, March 22, 2000
References