By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Jeremy Bayles has created 70 new jobs in Niles.
The young 28-year-old entrepreneur is set to open Wings Etc. on South 11th just across from Lowes. When the doors open Friday morning at 11 a.m. for the Four Flags Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony, Bayles plans to be ready to welcome a crowd.
Bayles was the first to sign up for the Niles location when the company first franchised in May 2005. While his first choice of location in Bell Plaza did not pan out, Bayles now sees that as a good thing.
"To say opening the business is a lot of hard work is an understatement. It takes a great deal of coordination and teamwork. I looked at other possibilities prior to settling on Wings Etc. They had the best franchise support and that was the deciding factor," Bayles said.
The Niles location will be the 10th to open since the company first franchised the popular Mishawaka restaurant.
The decor at Wings Etc. is young and hip. There is an arcade area, a jukebox and televisions throughout the seating areas. One wall stands ready to honor Wings Etc. bravest customers.
This is the location where Wings Etc. recognizes those who eat no less than 16 of the restaurant's famous "Wall-sauced" jumbo wings. The menu features seven degrees of heat in their wings: mild, medium, tweener, hot, TNT, suicide and the infamous wall-sauced.
The menu challenges the brave. "Think you're bad? Think you're tough? Our wall sauce will make you cry like a little girl. Take the 'Wall of Flame' Challenge. Eat 16 wall-sauced jumbo wings with no beverage or other food. If you make it, you'll be immortalized on our Wall of Flame."
"When the Benton Harbor location opened, there were 20 individuals on the wall the first week. I doubt anyone will ever break the record set there of eating 42 wall wings," Eric Stuczynski, V.P. Franchise Support, said.
"I have several friends waiting to attempt it. However, we do offer a full menu for those not quite up to the challenge," Bayles said.
The bar features over 50 varieties of domestic and imported beers, one of which is featured daily. There is also a daily luncheon special.
Wings Etc. first opened its doors in 1994, the brainchild of Niles native Jim Weaver. In 1998 Stuczynski, Rob Hensmann and Dennis Witte opened a location on Ireland Road in South Bend.
By 2004 the trio opened a second location in Elkhart and joined Weaver to assist with the transition to becoming a franchised company. Bayles heard the rumor of the beginning franchise opportunity.
"I had done my research. At first I was a little skeptical about being the first franchisee. However I am glad I took that leap of faith," he said.
Bayles, a 1999 Niles High School graduate, is Wings Etc. youngest franchisee. Bayles already has a fair amount of business experience.
When he was 20, he purchased his own home. At 21, Bayles bought a house as a rental property and by 24, he owned his own apartment building.
"It's an inner drive to succeed and be happy. I think everybody dreams of being their own boss. With good people helping and the support of family and friends believing you can, it is possible, even at a young age. Now with the restaurant, I think it just hasn't sunk in and then wow, I realize I am the one behind this madness," Bayles said.
He added maybe he shouldn't be quoted on the notion of madness. With inspections, the grand opening just days away and awaiting the arrival of the liquor license, Bayles appears cool, calm and collected. He has advice for other young entrepreneurs.
"If you dream big and set your goals high, strive for those. Do your homework and do it right. Know and read what others have done. And you can achieve whatever you set your mind to," Bayles said.