WingHouse Bar & Grill

Burnett secured the rights to a closed restaurant ("Knockers") and opened "The WingHouse" restaurant in Largo, Florida.[1]

In 1994, Burnett took on an investor, Crawford Ker, to expand into a restaurant chain. The initial goal was to open 20 to 50 locations, and then sell the chain to a larger restaurant chain or investors. Two additional locations were opened in the Tampa Bay area between 1994-1997.

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.[2] 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.[3]

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.[4]

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.[5][6]

Between 2014 and 2019 the company was owned by Soaring Wings LLC, which is inactive as of 2021. Since 2019, the company has been owned by ARC Group Inc.

Crawford Ker and "WingHouse Girls" in 2013

WingHouses have a full bar, sports memorabilia decor, and in some locations, a game room.[7]