What started out as a quick conversation after a podcast in June has turned into a big opportunity to break into a new market! That’s what’s happening for Minority Empowerment Program’s Wing Boys. They’re on the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus for two weeks, vying for USF Bulls’ taste buds. The temporary spot on the university’s “local restaurant row” since October 9th is made possible by USF’s commitment to supplier diversity and supporting locally owned businesses.
MEP Entrepreneur and Wing Boys co-owner Angelica Torres didn’t know about the program with local vendors until MEP Chair Lennise Germany told her about it when they were interviewed together for a podcast. Now, depending which way students and faculty vote, Wing Boys could become a more permanent fixture after October 20th. So, what are their chances? Pretty good, actually! Wing Boys’ Co-owner and recipe genius Javier Rodriguez reports they sold 400 pounds of chicken wings last week alone! Stay tuned for the final vote on USF’s local restaurant row…
Pictured here, Wing Boys owners, Javier Rodriguez and Angelica Torres, during their April 2023 ribbon cutting with the Tampa Bay Chamber at the Citrus Park Mall. Among the guests of honor were their sponsors in the 2023 Minority Empowerment Program, Florida Natural Gas. For more information, visit The Tampa Bay Chamber's Minority Empowerment Program webpage.