Ker's WingHouse
Encyclopedia
Ker's WingHouse is a restaurant franchise based primarily in the Southeastern United States, founded by former National Football League
player Crawford Ker
.
, he purchased part interest in the Frat House, a restaurant in Gainesville, Florida
. The eatery failed, due to numerous underage drinking busts, and Ker lost his entire investment. It was an expensive lesson about absentee ownership.
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.
The restaurant did well and two additional locations were opened in the Tampa Bay area in the following three years.
Hooters appealed the decision, but in June, 2006, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
in Atlanta upheld the verdict.
and placed first in the traditional x-hot sauce category and gained some national recognition.
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. There is a full liquor bar in every store, sports memorabilia line the walls instead of NASCAR
and most locations include a game room.
in Tampa, Florida
attracted the rich and famous; Ker's WingHouse hosted three events to raise money for charity
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player Crawford Ker
Crawford Ker
Crawford Francis Ker is a former American college and professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League for six seasons during the 1980s and early 1990s. Ker played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for the Dallas...
.
Investment
When Ker was playing for the Denver BroncosDenver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, he purchased part interest in the Frat House, a restaurant in Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
. The eatery failed, due to numerous underage drinking busts, and Ker lost his entire investment. It was an expensive lesson about absentee ownership.
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, FloridaLargo, Florida
Largo is the third largest city in Pinellas County, Florida, USA and is part of the Tampa Bay Area. Centrally located, it is the crossroads of the county. As of the 2000 census, the City had a total population of 69,371. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau was...
wing restaurant called, "Knockers" that imitated Hooters
Hooters
Hooters is the trade name of two privately held American restaurant chains: Hooters of America, Incorporated, based in Atlanta, Georgia, and Hooters, Incorporated, based in Clearwater, Florida...
. 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.
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.Hooters appealed the decision, but in June, 2006, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
United States courts of appeals
The United States courts of appeals are the intermediate appellate courts of the United States federal court system...
in Atlanta upheld the verdict.
Expansion
As of 2007, the company had 1,700 employees at 22 locations with revenue of nearly $60 million. Ker attended, and the company participated in, the 2007 National Buffalo Wing FestivalNational Buffalo Wing Festival
National Buffalo Wing Festival is a weekend festival held at Coca-Cola Field in downtown Buffalo, New York celebrating the Buffalo style chicken wing. The festival is held on Labor Day weekend and culminates with the IFOCE sanctioned Buffalo Wing eating contest....
and placed first in the traditional x-hot sauce category and gained some national recognition.
Franchising
On June 4, 2008 the company announced the launch of its national franchiseFranchising
Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....
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. There is a full liquor bar in every store, sports memorabilia line the walls instead of NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
and most locations include a game room.
Charity
Super Bowl XLIIISuper Bowl XLIII
Super Bowl XLIII was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Arizona Cardinals to decide the National Football League champion for the 2008 season. The game was played on February 1, 2009,...
in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
attracted the rich and famous; Ker's WingHouse hosted three events to raise money for charity