Greg Zamfotis, Founder and CEO of Gregorys Coffee, scaled nationwide by treating coffee as craft, ritual, and trust—not a trend.
Some brands talk about authenticity.
Others show up in Buffalo — and win.
In a special live episode of Room for Seconds, guest host Sam Stanovich sat down with Matt Ensero and Justin Egan, two of the driving forces behind Wing It On, at CraveCon 2025. What followed was more than a conversation about wings — it was a masterclass in staying true to your roots, competing at the highest level, and building a brand people actually want to be part of.
Whether you’re a wing fanatic, an aspiring franchisee, or just someone who loves a great growth story, Wing It On’s rise says a lot about what happens when quality and culture align.
At the heart of Wing It On is a simple but increasingly rare philosophy: respect the origins.
“We remain authentic to the roots of the wing — and that’s Buffalo, New York,” the team explains.
That commitment shows up in every detail — handcrafted, never-frozen wings, sauces built with intention, and a relentless focus on getting the fundamentals right.
“A crispy wing, a great authentic buffalo sauce, and a great dipping sauce… that’s a home run wing.”
It’s not about gimmicks or chasing trends. It’s about executing the classics at a championship level — something true wing lovers immediately recognize. That authenticity is exactly what separates Wing It On from a crowded QSR landscape and keeps fans coming back for more.
Talking about great wings is one thing.
Proving it in Buffalo is another.
Wing It On didn’t just attend the 2025 National Buffalo Wing Festival — they competed. And they didn’t leave empty-handed.
“We went four for four. We entered four different competitions and took home four trophies.”
That includes placing in every category they entered — capped off by one of the most coveted wins of the weekend.
“That traditional medium buffalo? That’s the one everybody wants to win.”
Winning in the birthplace of the wing isn’t just validation — it’s a statement. It tells customers, competitors, and future franchisees that Wing It On isn’t just playing the game. They’re built to win it.
Great food might get people in the door, but for entrepreneurs, support is what seals the deal.
As Matt and Justin shared, Wing It On has become especially appealing to franchisees who want to get in early — without feeling like they’re on an island.
“People see us as an emerging concept with amazing food and say, ‘What’s the catch?’”
The answer?
“Now we’re young and scrappy — but supported like a national brand.”
That blend of momentum, infrastructure, and hands-on guidance has made Wing It On a compelling opportunity for operators who want championship-caliber food with a team that actually has their back.
Matt Ensero is the Founder and President of Wing It On!, the award-winning wing brand he launched in Waterbury, Connecticut in 2011, building it from a single neighborhood shop into a national franchise concept. With a background in operations, finance and start-ups, Matt applied his entrepreneurial drive and business acumen to grow Wing It On! through franchising beginning in 2014, expanding throughout the Northeast and into markets across the country.
Under his leadership, Wing It On! has won multiple industry accolades — including top honors at the National Buffalo Wing Festival and recognition on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies — proving that authentic, high-quality wings can succeed in today’s competitive quick-serve landscape.
In early 2023, Matt guided Wing It On! into a strategic partnership with Craveworthy Brands, where he continues to serve as President of the Wing It On! brand, while also holding the role of Vice President of Operations & Development for the broader Craveworthy portfolio. In these roles, he helps shape growth strategy, franchise support systems, and operational excellence across multiple restaurant concepts.
Matt’s passion for brilliant food rooted in tradition — paired with smart growth strategy and franchise development — continues to fuel Wing It On!’s momentum as it brings championship-level wings to communities nationwide.
Justin Egan is the Co-Founder of Wing It On! and Vice President of Marketing & Franchise Development at Craveworthy Brands, where he plays a central role in shaping brand strategy, franchise growth, and consumer engagement across the company’s portfolio.
With roots in building Wing It On!’s identity, Justin helped develop the brand’s signature “Chicken Like a Champ!” strategy and has long been a driving force behind its creative direction, marketing initiatives, and system-wide narrative.
Before assuming his current leadership role, Justin served as Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Restaurant Technology for Wing It On!, where he was responsible for long-term marketing strategy, digital experiences, and support systems designed to elevate the guest experience and empower franchise partners.
Today, he leverages over two decades of marketing and brand-building experience to support franchise development, franchisee relations, and Craveworthy’s broader growth initiatives, helping position emerging concepts for long-term success in a competitive marketplace.
Sam Stanovich is Senior Vice PresidentFranchise Leadership at Craveworthy Brands, where he works closely with founders and operators to scale emerging restaurant concepts while preserving what makes each brand special.
With a background that spans operations, strategy, and brand building, Sam is known for his ability to connect entrepreneurs with the resources, systems, and support needed to grow sustainably. He plays a hands-on role in guiding brands through expansion, franchise development, and long-term vision — helping turn great food ideas into nationally competitive concepts.
A passionate advocate for founder-led growth and authentic storytelling, Sam frequently engages with industry leaders at events like CraveCon, spotlighting the people behind the brands and the journeys that fuel their success.
Gregg Majewski has a vast amount of experience as a corporate executive in the restaurant industry. As the former CEO of Jimmy John’s, he played a major role in expanding the franchise from 33 to 300+ stores in just 5 years by surrounding the company’s marketing strategy around the innovative approach of delivering sandwiches and being “freaky fast”. Majewski has worked to develop restaurant concepts over the last two plus decades, before starting Craveworthy Brands in 2023, which currently includes a growing portfolio of restaurant brands. Craveworthy Media is Majewski’s gift back to the industry that has given him so much. The goal of Craveworthy is to inspire the up and coming industry leaders by providing important information, stories, and insights from titans past and present.
Do you know someone who would be great on this show? Let us know by emailing us at roomforsecondspodcast@gmail.com or sending a DM on social media @craveworthybrands