With Record-Breaking Sales in its First Four Weeks, Hurricane Grill & Wings™ in Jacksonville - Julington Creek, Florida Sets the New Brand Restaurant Model

Hurricane Grill & Wings™ launches new restaurant footprint to support demand and build bottom line.

Julington Creek, Fla. (Vocus) March 11, 2010

The recently opened Hurricane Grill & Wings™ in Jacksonville – Julington Creek, Florida (12795 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida), announced record-breaking sales during its first four weeks of operation. With each week bringing more sales than the week before, the restaurant has served over 20,000 guests since its doors opened in February 2010.

“The success we have seen in our first weeks of operation is outstanding,” said Kristi Kluba. “We had no idea that results such as these would occur, and in today’s economy, we couldn’t ask for anything more.”

The record-breaking sales are not only attributed to the location’s management team but also to the brand’s recently re-engineered restaurant footprint. After significant research and experimentation, Hurricane Grill & Wings™ created a restaurant footprint that aimed to drive revenue and profit. The new plan incorporates more flexibility with new features, such as a full-service bar with liquor and a slightly larger location size. The Hurricane Grill & Wings™ location at Jacksonville – Julington Creek is the third restaurant to incorporate the new model and all have increased historical brand Average Unit Volume from 87.5 percent to 380 percent.

“We knew there was a high demand across the country for the menu, prices and ambiance provided at Hurricane Grill & Wings,” said Martin O’Dowd, President of Hurricane Grill & Wings™. “We wanted a new and flexible footprint to support that demand and to build our franchisees' bottom line. Our new model, which was implemented at Jacksonville-Julington Creek, has seen unparalleled success. This is a tremendous nod to the Hurricane Grill & Wings team, and we have received multiple inquiries and commitments for new locations in 2010. To date, we plan to open new restaurants in New York, Georgia, California, Ohio, Michigan and four additional locations in Florida. All locations will incorporate the new restaurant model, and we anticipate excellent results.”

For more information about Hurricane Grill & Wings™, please visit http://www.HurricaneWings.com.

About Hurricane Grill & Wings™
The original Hurricane Grill & Wings™ opened in Fort Pierce, Fla., in 1995. Currently there are 31 locations, including Arizona, Florida and New York, with additional restaurants planned nationwide. Hurricane Grill & Wings™, whose trademark is, “Live with Flavor™”, is known for its uniquely savory chicken wings, offered in five categories with a choice of over 30 signature sauces. Menu items are cooked fresh to order with high quality ingredients, no trans fats, and environmentally friendly packaging. Other menu options range from salads to Certified Angus Burgers, Grilled Mahi-Mahi and Iron Skillet Salmon along with a full lineup of micro-brew beer and wine. Hurricane Grill & Wings™ has won several awards and honors nationally including being named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s Hot 100 List (the fastest-growing businesses in America); Restaurant Business magazine’s Future 50 (a listing of the fastest growing chains with annual sales between $25 and $50 million); Franchise Times’ Fast 55; and top honors at the National Buffalo Wing Festival, winning the 2009 Chairman’s Award, serving more than 28,000 wings in two days – more wings than any other restaurant at the festival.

For additional information, including locations, menu items and franchise information, visit http://www.HurricaneWings.com.

Note to Editors: For more information, photography, artwork and interviews, contact Jean Golden (612-385-2324 or Jean(at)GoldenPublicity(dot)com) or Heidi Schwitzer (952-913-8272 or Heidi.Schwitzer(at)hotmail(dot)com).

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