Former Wingstop Inc. executives have acquired the fledgling Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders chain, the company said Wednesday.
Orlando, Fla.-based Huey Magoo's Restaurants LLC, led by former Wingstop executive vice president Andy Howard as CEO, purchased the four-unit tenders concept from golf professionals Matt “Huey” Armstrong and Thad “Magoo” Hudgens, who started the concept in 2004. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Huey Magoo’s menu features breaded and grilled chicken tenders with a variety of signature sauces. The menu also includes sandwiches, salads and fries.
“When I tasted the food, I knew we really had something incredible on our hands,” Howard said in a statement.
Joining Howard in the Huey Maggo’s venture are Wes Jablonski, former Wingstop chief financial officer; Mike Sutter, former Wingstop vice president of training; and Shawn Lawler, former Wingstop head of international training.
Investors in Huey Magoo’s Restaurants LLC include David Ross, a developer of major residential, commercial and resorts including Hard Rock and Ritz Carlton properties, and Jim Rudolph, a former owner of Rita's Ices and Wendy's and Chuck E. Cheese’s multi-unit franchisee.
Huey Magoo’s currently has Florida units in Altamonte Springs, Oviedo and Winter Springs, as well as in the University of Central Florida Student Union in Orlando.
“Huey Magoo's will also commence franchise sales with the initial focus on key Florida markets, starting with Tampa, and moving from Florida north and west to fan out across the country,” the company said.
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Correction Nov. 10, 2016: This story has corrected the name Mike Sutter, former Wingstop vice president of training.