Wingstop on its way to local market

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Three members of the local business community are bringing a chicken-wing franchise to Springfield. Partners Ray Crossland, Terrell Barkett and Patricia Stoner are opening two Wingstop restaurants the first will open in early October at 303 E. Battlefield, Ste. C, and the second, which Crossland said will likely open in late November, will be at 2445 N. Kansas Expwy., Ste. G. |ret||ret||tab|

Crossland owns CrossBar International a transportation company, and Barkett owns TRB Group, dba Unishippers. Crossland said Wingstop is a Dallas-based franchise with 33 restaurants open and 60 more in development. He said he and his partners decided to bring Wingstop to Springfield because "there's nothing like that here, and ... it's a financial opportunity for us." |ret||ret||tab|

"Basically, what we serve is buffalo-style chicken wings, non-breaded in eight flavors, french fries, potato salad ... bourbon baked beans," soda, beer and wine coolers, Crossland said. The wings are available in original hot, Cajun, atomic, mild, teriyaki, lemon pepper, Hawaiian barbecue and garlic parmesan flavors. |ret||ret||tab|

The franchise's motif is old-style aviation, before the days of jet airplanes, Crossland added.|ret||ret||tab|

"When you walk in, it's like an airport hangar. There's tin ... that goes up about halfway on the wall, to give it an older effect ... (and) we've been down to the Springfield museum and we've got some pictures from them that we're going to put up that represent Springfield." |ret||ret||tab|

The Wingstop eateries provide dine-in, carry-out and catering services.|ret||ret||tab|

"The people down in Dallas experience about 60 percent takeout, about 35 percent dine-in, and about 5 percent catering," Crossland said. "And basically, what we cater to is a lot of sporting events" and family functions.|ret||ret||tab|

Crossland said between both Spring-field locations, there probably will be a maximum of 12 employees.|ret||ret||tab|

"Most of the time, it'll run about eight. It's not a very labor-intensive (operation) ... it's counter service," he added. |ret||ret||tab|

The partners also are in discussions to purchase the only other Wingstop restaurant in Missouri, located in St. Louis. [[In-content Ad]]