The Benefits of Joining a Franchisee-Led Franchise

In many cases, franchise systems are run by executives who operate at a corporate level, separate from the day-to-day realities of franchise ownership. Atomic Wings, however, takes a different approach. The company is led by franchisees who are actively involved in the brand, ensuring that every decision is made with the success of their operators in mind.

This structure, where leadership has direct skin in the game, creates a model that naturally prioritizes franchisee success.

The Atomic Wings leadership team doesn't just understand franchising from a corporate perspective — they experience it daily as franchisees themselves. Vice President of Operations Michael Harmon owns an Atomic Wings in Greenfield, Indiana, while Vice President of Franchise Development Mike Domico is in the process of opening his own location in the St. Louis area.

"We pay every bill that a franchisee pays," said Domico. "Because we are franchisees, we are in the same cost structure as each of our franchisees”.

Leadership and expertise

This hands-on approach is backed by substantial industry expertise. The leadership team brings a combined century of restaurant experience to the table, ensuring franchisees benefit from deep operational knowledge and industry insights.

When Domico first explored joining Atomic Wings, he was looking for three key elements: passionate leadership focused on franchisee success, exceptional food quality and a strong area representative model. In his first meeting with CEO Zak Omar, the company's commitment to franchisee success immediately stood out.

"‘If our franchisees are not successful, we as a franchisor will not be successful,’" said Domico, recalling Omar's words. "I've watched his actions because I'm a firm believer that actions speak louder than words, and his actions have, day in and day out, certified that he truly believes what he said."

Support structure and decision making

To ensure comprehensive support, Atomic Wings has implemented a strategic regional management structure. The country is divided into three geographic regions, each overseen by a key member of the leadership team. This approach ensures franchisees have direct access to decision-makers and experienced operational support.

At Atomic Wings, every business decision is evaluated through the lens of franchisee profitability and success. From new equipment purchases to menu innovations, the leadership team carefully considers the return on investment for franchisees. This financial consciousness extends to their marketing strategy, where a dedicated committee of franchisees helps guide decisions about marketing spend and initiatives.

The company's commitment goes beyond financial metrics. While many franchise companies focus primarily on stock prices and year-over-year profits, Atomic Wings prioritizes the people behind the numbers. This approach is demonstrated through their hands-on support, with leadership regularly conducting market visits, site selections, and direct operational assistance.

"This Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning, for example, I was in Minnesota, myself, working with an area rep," Domico said. “That's who we are and what we do, and it's second nature to us. It's ingrained in us to serve our franchisees and to keep communication at the top of the chart.”

Atomic Wings' unique structure, where corporate leaders are also franchisees, creates a natural alignment of interests throughout the organization. This approach ensures that company leadership truly understands franchisee challenges and opportunities, leading to better decision-making and more effective support.

For potential franchisees looking for a brand that genuinely understands their perspective, Atomic Wings offers a great opportunity backed by experienced leadership who are invested in their success.