Now in its seventh year, the “Rockin’ 4 Relief” Rock-a-Thon concludes with a light-and-siren fanfare in the Wings Etc. Cape Girardeau parking lot
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (April 25, 2022)— In 2015, after hearing “no” after “no” when asking businesses to participate in her event, “Rockin’ 4 Relief,” organizer Jennifer Evans was introduced to Wings Etc. Cape Girardeau owners Joe and Michelle Hobbs. Evans explained that Rockin’ 4 Relief aimed to raise money for families of first responders who had been killed or seriously injured in the line of duty, and the Hobbs family was excited to help. Joe and Michelle agreed to be event sponsors and, seven years later, the all-day Rock-a-Thon continues to generate excitement and generosity throughout the community. This year’s Rockin’ 4 Relief generated over $24,000 in donations.
“I never imagined what this [Wings Etc.] relationship would have turned into over the years,” said Evans. “Every year we do Rockin’ 4 Relief, Wings Etc. is just as excited as they were in the first year.”
The event, which took place on April 9, ends annually in the Wings Etc. Cape Girardeau parking lot. Throughout the day, volunteers rock in rocking chairs outside local businesses to raise money for families of first responders who were seriously injured or lost in the line of duty. Donations are sent to The Back Stoppers, a non-profit in St. Louis that assists families in 18 counties in Missouri and Illinois.
This year’s grand finale at Wings Etc. Cape Girardeau included a tribute to fallen Cape Girardeau Fire Department Captain Ivan LaGrand. All rockers met at Wings Etc. during the finale and participated in a countdown of the final moments until the last rocking volunteer stood up. Then, in unison, the lights and sirens of vehicles representing firefighters, police, and EMT services ended the event.
Since 2009, when the event first started in St. Louis, Rockin’ 4 Relief has generated more than $275,000 in donations.
“We’re honored to be a part of it and to be one of the original groups to have supported it,” said local Wings Etc. owner Joe Hobbs. “It’s such a great cause to support, and we love to help our first responders. We really appreciate all the work Jen does to put this event on.”
Joe and Michelle Hobbs own three Wings Etc. Grill & Pub franchises in Southeast Missouri: in Cape Girardeau, Dexter, and Jackson.
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About the Wings Etc. Grill & Pub Franchise Opportunity
Founded in 1994 by Jim Weaver in the South Bend, Indiana, area, Wings Etc. is a family-friendly grill and pub with a diverse menu featuring award-winning jumbo Buffalo wings, over 20 signature sauces and rubs, premium burgers, wraps, salads, appetizers, sandwiches, subs, kids meals, over 40 domestic and craft beer selections in bottles and on tap, dozens of large HDTVs tuned to sports programming, and a casual, non-corporate-y, laid-back “vibe” that makes people want to just come in and hang out. In addition to its popular sports programming, menu, and beverage options, Wings Etc. offers weekday lunch and food specials, online ordering, and much more.
Franchising since 2004, Wings Etc. Grill & Pub has been named one of Restaurant Business Magazine’s “Future Franchises,” has been named one of Franchise Gator’s “Top 100 Franchises” for several years, and was named a 2020 “Culture 100 Best of the Best” franchise by Franchise Business Review. In June 2021, Wings Etc. was named a “Top 200 Food Franchise” and a “Top 500 North American Franchise” by Entrepreneur Magazine. Wings Etc. continues to grow and succeed by partnering with franchise operators who share the Wings Etc. Vision, Mission, and Values, a commitment to building a successful business while helping build stronger communities and people (and to having fun!).
Wings Etc. offers single and multi-unit franchise options. The initial franchise fee is $39,500, with a $200,000 liquid cash investment, and $500,000 minimum net worth requirement for interested prospects. Wings Etc. offers one of the lowest startup costs and break-even franchise opportunities in the full-service restaurant segment. Priority growth markets include Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Alabama and Florida.
For more information about the Wings Etc. franchise opportunity, visit www.wingsetcfranchise.com.
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