Ker's WingHouse

Ker's WingHouse is a restaurant franchise based primarily in the Southeastern United States, founded by former National Football League player Crawford Ker.

Opening

In 1992, Ker Retired from the NFL and took a job selling cars at a local dealer. In 1994, he purchased half interest in a Largo wing restaurant called, "Knockers" that imitated Hooters. This time, he wasn't an absentee owner, but Ker's business partner handled the management. After losing $30,000 a month for the first quarter, Crawford was certain he could do a better job, so he bought out his partner and handled the day-to-day operations, learning as he went along. The restaurant was re-opened as Ker's WingHouse, and the atmosphere was toned down to make it more family friendly. [http://www.sptimes.com/2005/07/15/Floridian/A_wing_and_a_player.shtml St. Petersburg Times: July 15, 2005-A wing and a player by Kelley Benham] ] The restaurant did well and two additional locations were opened in the Tampa Bay area in the following three years.

Lawsuit

Ker won a $1.2-million jury award from Hooters in late 2004, which had sued him for trademark violations for allegedly using their uniforms and decor. After a three-week trial in which lawyers discussed hula hoops, surfboards, scrunchy socks, pantyhose and something called "vicarious sexual recreation", the jury ruled that no trademark infringement existed and Hooters was penalized for their frivilous lawsuit.

Expansion

As of 2007, the company had 1,700 employees at 19 locations with revenue of nearly $60 million. Ker attended and the company participated in the 2007 National Buffalo Wing Festival and placed first in the "traditional x-hot sauce" category and gained some national recognition. [ [http://www.wlbt.com/global/story.asp?s=7037790&ClientType=Printable WLBT Channel 3: September 6, 2007-Ker's WingHouse Bar and Grill voted #1 at National Buffalo Wing Festival] ]

Franchising

On June 4, 2008 the company announced the launch of its' national franchise program. In mid-2008 the chain operated 19 locations in Florida and Texas and expected to add six franchises by the end of 2008, and 48 by 2011. The initial focus was for franchises in the Southeastern US.

WingHouses feature several amenities that differ from other wing restaurants, including Hooters. A full liquor bar is in every store; sports memorabilia lines the walls instead of NASCAR; most locations include a game room.

References

*http://www.sptimes.com/News/032200/SouthPinellas/Newest_venue_s_sporti.shtml , http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-7701766_ITM , http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-17002267_ITM , http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-18257851_ITM , http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-11917854_ITM , http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-11677222_IT