Forbes Business Wire - Press Release

The economy may be sizzling down, but franchising for Planet Wings is on fire and it’s fueled by its suicidal hot sauce. The company launched a national expansion plan in October of 2007, and is on course to sell 260 franchises by 2010.

According to Hoover’s, Inc., the output of US food and drink places will grow at an annual compounded rate of 4.3 percent between 2007 and 2012. The profitability of individually owned companies, such as franchised locations, depends on several variables such as efficient store operations, constructive marketing initiatives, and fast, efficient service. Thus, Planet Wings has partnered with Medina Enterprises to support business operations as the franchise expands on a national platform. With over 22 years experience in franchise management, Medina functions as the holding company for several different franchises, similar to how YUM! Brands or Focus Brands operate.

Franco Fidanza, founder and CEO of Planet Wings, has been in the restaurant industry for over twenty years. Since the quick-service food industry represents $4.7 billion in revenue, with chicken wings being the fastest growing segment, Fidanza made the executive decision to go national. “We wanted to manage, control and expand this unique concept with Medina’s organizational systems and structures to guarantee our future success,” said Fidanza. “Medina has the capacity and experience to introduce our brand to potential franchisees worldwide.”

Fidanza began the Planet Wings concept over 15 years ago to fill an untapped niche in the quick-service food market. Planet Wings has transformed sit down wings establishments by allowing wings fanatics to enjoy their favorite food more conveniently. Planet Wings restaurants offer eat-in, take-out and delivery options, for a convenient and appealing dining experience. Planet Wings is renown for its’ outstanding selection of wings (24 flavors to be exact), wide menu variety and unmatched customer care program in the Northeast.

“Planet Wings offers franchisees a distinctive business model and its customers a delectable, quality product. Medina is thrilled to be a part of this company’s national expansion, and I am confident that Planet Wings is well on its way to becoming one of this country’s great brands,” said Robert (Morg) Morgan, CEO of Medina Enterprises. “Medina has implemented an aggressive growth strategy for Planet Wings and has already seen international interest from Korea, China, Russia, Europe, South America, and the Middle East amongst others.”

Planet Wings Enterprises is a unique quick-service restaurant and delivery concept, specializing in wings and a vast assortment of menu items including tacos, burritos, fresh salads, burgers, gyros, sandwiches, cheese steaks and a full children’s menu, all made to order.

Planet Wings opened its first store in 1995, and spearheaded a vigorous national growth plan in 2007. Planet Wings currently has approximately 25 open stores in New York, New Jersey and Virginia. The fast growing wings franchise plans to sell over 260 franchises in the next three years, as part of its rapid national expansion plan. For information on franchising visit, www.planetwingsfranchise.com.

Medina Enterprise’s success is due to its integration of all the support and investment services needed by franchisees. These include financial counseling & assistance, real estate assistance & territory protection, construction project management, marketing assistance, training, ongoing customer service and business development.

Medina Enterprises is currently conducting business operations for companies such as Cuppy’s Coffee, Smoothies & More, Planet Wings, San Gelato Cafe and Elite Manufacturing and Construction. Medina plans to bring on three additional companies in quarter one of 2008. One deal in final negotiations for Medina is with an oil company connected to one of the nation’s largest big box retailers. For additional information on Medina Enterprises visit www.medinaenterprises.com.

(Middletown, NY) –The spiciest Superbowl XLII party in town is happening at your Galleria at Crystal Run Planet Wings Grill! Purchase your package in advance or show up on game day, February 3^rd at 6pm to enjoy all you can drink and eat for $35, which includes soda, beer, wings, pizza and munchies! Shot specials, live music at half time, prizes, raffles and more complete the hottest Superbowl event in town. Or have your party platter delivered straight to your house so you don’t even have to think about missing a second of the pre-game show. For more information, contact Jessica at 845-692-2722.

(Middletown, NY) Dec. 19– With the generous help of Planet Wings Enterprises and over a dozen volunteers, RECAP (Regional Economic Community Action Program, Inc.) was able to supply nearly 400 Thanksgiving meals to deserving households in western Orange County, New York.”Every one involved gave their all again this year,” said Charles J. Darden, RECAP Executive Director. The “baskets” consist of a turkey and all the trimmings handed out in shopping bags. Franco Fidanza, president and founder of Planet Wings Enterprises, once again donated 50 turkeys, as he has for the past four years. Fidanza also provided refrigerated trucks to keep the turkeys fresh and donated freezer space to store the turkeys before handing them out.

“We do this because Thanksgiving is a special time of year for all families,” said John Strobl, Nutrition Case Advocate for RECAP. “But some families don’t have the resources to put on a special holiday spread. Thanks to everyone who donated and to the volunteers who helped make it all possible.”

“The response from individuals, businesses and service clubs has always been heartening,” John said. “And every year the need seems to grow.”

At this year’s Buffalo Wing Festival, Planet Wings won the award for Best Traditional Extra Hot Wing Sauce in the Country.

Planet Wings owner Franco Fidanza donated space for new YMCA thrift shop. Click here to read the article.

Planet Wings was proud to be a part of this years KFEST. Several thousand people flocked to to Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill on Sunday June 3 to see their favorite performers. The lineup for the festival included Akon, Omarion, Gym Class Heroes, Lumidee, Baby Boy, Brooke Hogan and Tiffany Affair.

FOOD AND DRINK magazine

With its diverse menu and unique delivery service, Planet Wings reinvents the meaning of quickserve at all locations on the East Coast.
By Brooke Knudson

When Newburgh, N.Y.-based Planet Wings opened its doors in 1995, quickserve took on a whole new meaning for its customers. Instead of shouting an order into an intercom in the drive-thru, its customers need only to place an order over the phone to have their food delivered fresh and fast. Planet Wings’ founders, Franco Fidanza and his wife, Paula Fidanza, serviced an untapped market by delivering made-to-order quickserve.

The Fidanzas created the idea for Planet Wings when the pizza restaurant they were operating received a boost in chicken wing orders. The couple saw an opportunity and opened Planet Wings, making flavorful chicken wings its signature item. To better compete, the Fidanzas added delivery service, a concept that was otherwise limited to pizza and burgers. “It’s a tough, competitive business,” Fidanza says. “Typically, you won’t find [delivery] with the diverse menu that we offer.”

Unlike other restaurants that serve chicken wings, Planet Wings uses fresh, high-quality chicken coated with Franco Fidanza’s own sauce blend. The company uses a base sauce and adds unique blends of spices to create more than 24 wing flavors.

In addition to chicken wings, the restaurant serves hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, gyros and salads. “As we developed the menu, there were a lot of things we found unique [for delivery],” Fidanza says.

Recently, Planet Wings added Mexican-inspired dishes to its menu and is contemplating offering other foods such as boneless chicken wings, “which have increased tremendously in popularity,” Fidanza says. The restaurant is able to serve the freshest food by having products delivered weekly and by preparing made-to-order meals.

Flavorful Plan

After perfecting the store’s concept, the Fidanzas began franchising in 2002.

Planet Wings has opened over 20 locations in other areas of New York, New Jersey and Virginia, and now sees opportunities for franchising in throughout the country.

The company launched a national expansion plan in October of 2007, and is on course to sell 260 franchises by 2010.

Planet Wings has partnered with Medina Enterprises to support business operations as the franchise expands on a national platform. With over 22 years experience in franchise management, Medina functions as the holding company for several different franchises, similar to how YUM! Brands or Focus Brands operate.

Medina Enterprise’s success is due to its integration of all the support and investment services needed by franchisees. These include financial counseling & assistance, real estate assistance & territory protection, construction project management, marketing assistance, training, ongoing customer service and business development.

Healthy Appetite

Shifting consumer attitudes about quickserve is something Planet Wings takes into consideration when tweaking the menu or purchasing ingredients. “That’s a tough nut when fried food is the No. 1 [selling] item on the menu,” Fidanza says.

To banish the misconception that all fast-prepared food has poor health implications, the company is removing trans fats and adding lighter-fare options to its menu. Planet Wings is evaluating new types of frying shortening on the market to eliminate trans fats from its food. By March, its food will be free of trans fats added from frying shortening, Fidanza says. “We’ve been very proactive about it,” he adds.

The company frequently revises its menu to include more healthful choices. It also avoids breading its wings, which Fidanza says increases fat content. “Can we get rid of all the things that are fast-food problem foods? No,” Fidanza says. “Our whole goal is to have enough variety on the menu that people can get anything they want to eat.”

Quality Standards

Planet Wings also participates in a voluntary Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) program to prevent food safety issues. The program monitors food temperature on-site and during delivery, as well as safe handling and preparation procedures.

Although the FDA does not mandate the program in restaurants, Fidanza says being proactive reassures its customers and local regulatory agencies of its commitment to food safety.

-FAD

The Times Herald-Record The recent Hi-Y Dance at the Aviation Hangar at Stewart Airport to benefit the Newburgh Family YMCA attracted 350 people and raised more than $16,000. Franco Fidanza, owner of Planet Wings, the event’s major sponsor, was recognized during the evening for not only donating all the food but also serving it. As the event was designed to recall the Friday and Saturday night dances at the Y during the 1950s-60s, Dolly Liebowitz was honored for her many years as a chaperone. The successful fundraiser was chaired by Dan Bannan.

Times Herald-Record

The Middletown Kiwanis has a special friend in Franco Fidanza, and although he supports the club for its work and lends a hand financially and with projects, he doesn’t have time to be the kind of member he feels the club deserves. Still, the club owes him a lot.

As the president and founder of the Planet Wings-Pizza chain of restaurants, he suggested and worked closely with Kiwanians to co-host the annual fall Pizza for Parks fundraiser. Over a four-year period, thousands of dollars was raised through the sale of pizzas at Fidanza’s expense with three-fourths of the proceeds going toward the Middletown Park’s Maple Hill Park. The results are a much-improved playground area where children can play and a new picnic area with a large pavilion where families can enjoy time together.

Away from Kiwanis, Fidanza also sponsors the annual Duck-athon that benefits the Newburgh Family YMCA and the Newburgh Day Nursery, the county’s oldest day-care program in continuous operation for children. It, too, was a success.

Last summer, eight of Fidanza’s stores teamed with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to raise funds for the “Summer Party for a Cure” program. It, too, was a winner.

Between the three events for the nonprofits, more than $75,000 was raised.

This past summer Planet Wings also was the lead sponsor for the Wallkill Rotary’s Wiffle Ball Tournament, raising $16,000 to be divided among the Wallkill Boys and Girls Club, the Sarah Wells Girl Scout Council and the YMCA of Middletown.

And there’s more. Fidanza supported the Hi-Y Dance for the Newburgh Family YMCA at the Aviation Hangar at Stewart Airport. He not only provided the food but also amazed the appreciative crowd by serving it. Fidanza also helps the Regional Economic Community Action Program headquartered in Middletown by not only donating 150 turkeys for the Thanksgiving baskets for the needy but also by using his equipment to store fresh and frozen turkeys that are donated to the nonprofit, which has no place for storage.

It’s pretty clear that Fidanza is a bright star in our area who sees needs and pitches in to help. But he’s modest and doesn’t seek publicity. His belief is that a project is only as good as the community that endorses and supports it. Residents have been generous in taking advantage of his pizza and chicken wing offers, knowing most of the proceeds will go a long way to make life better for others.

Thanks, Franco.

Mild or hot, this Mariners Harbor eatery’s birds are meant to be plucked. Chicken wings are everywhere these days. Upscale restaurants offer them as appetizers. Quickserve spots let you make a meal of them. Wings are even found in Italian, Chinese and Mexican-theme restaurants. But at Planet Wings in Mariners Harbor, wings are the center of the universe.

WINGS IN SPACE
Brothers Vincent and Jimmy Martella opened Planet Wings about a year ago. The Martella’s offer 24 different ways to enjoy them at varied temperature levels.
When your palate simply demands hot wings, strap your seat belt on for those labeled Suicidal. They are the hottest this wing-lover has ever tasted.

Who dabbles in the suicidal stuff? Vincent laughed and replied, The brave ones. He added, Most don’t get it again after they try it. He offers free samples for daring taste buds that may not make it through an entire meal.

On the less combustible side, butter-garlic, Cajun, teriyaki, Jamaican jerk and sweet and sour make other considerations. By the way, wings are packed from five to 100 pieces in dinners and variety combinations.

If wings don’t fly with your crowd, Planet Wings hawks chicken sandwiches, chicken fingers as well as burgers, cheese steaks, gyros and salads.

The menu zeroes in on the extraterrestrial theme, hence the Spacely Specials with wings, fries and a soda priced from $6.50 to $7.50. Side dishes like beer-battered mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers and nachos supreme are grouped under the title Saturn’s Moons.

The late space scientist Carl Sagan would likely have been impressed with this spot on the planet.

ENTREPRENEURIAL PAIR
Success of Planet Wings can be attributed to the brothers’ hands-on approach. One of us is here at all times, Jimmy said. Soon, they plan to add Mexican food to the menu. A second location on Hylan Boulevard is also in the works.

The brothers also make an effort to give back to the community by making coupons available on their Web site, www.planetwings.com. Planet Wings is located at 2220 Forest Ave., Mariners Harbor. 718-273-7575

• RICHARD T. RYAN

Staten Island Planet Wings page