Chicken wing franchises are now among the hottest in the restaurant industry.
There are at least 20 chains, and together they make up nearly 2,000 restaurants across the United States. Add independent wing restaurants, and the count might double.
Wings were once the least desirable part of the bird. But because they were cheap, bars started using them in the 1980s as a spicy appetizer to keep beer-guzzling customers thirsty.
In the 1990s, restaurants increased portion sizes and turned wings into a standalone meal. Entrepreneurs quickly saw the potential.
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