Biz Beat: Restaurants going through a wing thing

Wings, most definitely, are a thing.

I mean chicken wings, of course, and they’re really nothing new. Restaurants that focus on the tasty bites have proliferated in recent years.

Here in the Northern San Joaquin Valley, we have a variety of wing shops, with more on the way. Buffalo Wild Wings plans to launch in Turlock’s Monte Vista Crossings later this year.

Most recently, a Wingstop landed in Ceres.

Owner Jason Khan grew up in Modesto and attended California State University, Stanislaus.

Interesting thing about Khan, he wasn’t a big fan of wings until friends dragged him to a Wingstop in Modesto while he was attending Davis High School. He quickly became a regular. So when he went to college at California State University, Fresno, he looked for a Wingstop there to frequent. There wasn’t one.

There is now – Khan’s first. After returning to finish his undergraduate work at Stanislaus State (he’s since earned a master’s in business administration there), he opened a Wingstop down the street from Fresno State.

Khan, now, 28, since has opened five other Wingstops in the Fresno and East Bay areas. He said he is excited to bring the concept “home.”

The Ceres location opened Monday and business has been good.

“We’ve been slammed,” Khan said. “It’s a good problem to have.”

He’s still a fan of wings. And, yes, everyone asks him that. If you’re a Wingstop first-timer, he suggests getting the original hots. “That’s our No. 1 flavor,” he said. But he’s also partial to boneless mango habañero, a new offering.

“And you have to try our fresh-baked rolls,” he said. “That’s not a sales pitch. You really have to try them.”

I’m sold, and can’t wait to give it a try.

The restaurant, at 1515 Mitchell Road, in the shopping center at Hatch Road, is open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight. Call (209) 538-9464.

ELSEWHERE AROUND THE BUSINESS BEAT: More good news in our area. The Stanislaus Business Alliance last month honored 23 businesses for adding jobs to Stanislaus County’s economy in 2014.

The alliance hosted a luncheon for the businesses at Modesto Centre Plaza, where the businesses received awards for adding at least 10 positions.

“To celebrate positive successes is really important, not only to honor the companies that created the jobs but also to send a message to the community that good things are happening in our county,” Stanislaus Business Alliance CEO Dave White said in a news release.

The businesses honored were: 5.11 Tactical, Adecco Staffing, management services company ABM, Advanced Linen Service, trucking company Antonini Enterprises, Blue Diamond Growers, John Deere agricultural dealership Belkorp Ag, COIT Cleaning and Restoration, DD’s Discounts, food safety company DFA of California, Doctors Medical Center, bakery Flowers Foods, vinyl window manufacturer Gilwin Co., Grocery Outlet, office furniture maker HPL Contract, Kidz Ministry Foundation, Mexican products store La Perla Tapatia, medical billing service MedAmerica, Rank Investigation and Protection, paving company RFC, Bell-Carter Packaging, Center for Human Services and die shop USS.

▪ The Carl’s Jr. restaurant at 2008 McHenry Ave. in Modesto that has been closed for a five-week remodeling project reopened this week, District Manager Emilio Hernandez said in an email.

“The interior design is the latest style,” Hernandez said. A wall mural depicts the history of Modesto. “Hopefully, we’ll see you soon.”

This story was originally published March 7, 2015 at 6:52 PM with the headline "Biz Beat: Restaurants going through a wing thing."