We are on a mission to grow independent restaurants while connecting the right people, the right resources and making ownership a little more sustainable.
Your restaurant's partner in the right seat.
Behind every great independent restaurant is a creative force — someone who built something from nothing, poured their craft into every detail, and kept showing up. Wingman is the curated private network where growth-ready owners find the right partners, share what they know, and build something bigger together.
The only private network where independent restaurant owners can show off their brand, find the partner who can help them grow, and connect with other owners who actually get it — all in one place, always free to join.
These nine represent the most common structures in independent restaurant partnerships. The industry also has more exotic arrangements — earn-outs, convertible notes, hybrid royalty deals, and others — but these nine cover the vast majority of what actually gets done. Read the full breakdown →
Browse current partnerships →"I started in this industry as a busboy in 1996 and have spent 30 years in hospitality and business — as an operator, a marketer, and now an owner. That journey taught me that the most successful restaurant brands aren't built by one person doing everything. They're built through the right partnerships — the right people, in the right roles, working toward the same vision.
The greatest organizations in the world — whether in sports or business — are built on the strength of their partnerships. The right people, in the right roles, working toward the same vision. A great restaurant brand is no different. The most creative concept still needs the right financial partner, the right operator, the right marketer, the right person to help it scale. Finding those people shouldn't require a broker, a lucky connection, or a six-figure fee. It should be as simple as mixing it up with industry stakeholders who see the value in what you have built and want to get involved and help take it to the next level. That's what Wingman exists to make possible — for every independent owner who has ever known their restaurant is capable of so much more than their current situation allowed."
Post your restaurant with the kind of partnership you want — investor, franchise partner, operator, marketing help, or if you're just open to developing relationships with other owners and industry stakeholders. You set the terms.
Investors, operators, franchise developers, and fellow owners browse by type and location. They request an introduction — you decide who to respond to. No cold calls, no broker pressure.
Once both sides say yes, Wingman makes the warm introduction. The conversation, the negotiation, and the deal are entirely yours. We always recommend working with a restaurant-specialized attorney on any formal agreement.
Wingman is where serious investors, franchise developers, and strategic operators come to find what the market doesn't show you anywhere else — a curated collection of independently owned restaurants, each personally vetted, with proven concepts, loyal followings, and owners who have a clear vision for growth. Every owner is welcome in Wingman. Only the most growth-ready concepts are featured in the marketplace. That's exactly the point.
Every listing is owner-initiated. Every owner is verified. Every conversation starts with a mutual introduction — no cold calls, no wasted meetings. Just the right deal, when the timing is right.
Everyone sees the restaurant. Almost nobody sees what it takes to run one. Wingman is the private space where owners can be real with each other — share what's working, ask what they're afraid to ask publicly, and find out they're not the only one feeling it.
Most platforms are binary — you're either listed or you're not. Wingman is the first platform that actively helps owners become partner-ready. Every owner is welcome in the community. The growth track is how you get to the marketplace.
Wingman Ready gives growth-track owners access to the tools, resources, and peer support to get marketplace-ready on their own timeline.
Capital and belief in your concept — without involvement in daily operations.
A stake in ownership and strategic decisions, working toward a shared long-term vision.
Proven systems and operational discipline to help your concept scale.
Experienced operational leadership to build the systems and structure your concept needs.
Brand firepower, marketing expertise, and the reach to grow your audience.
Strategy, connections, and momentum — without taking the wheel.
A fellow operator who invests in, advises, or co-owns a concept they believe in.
An experienced industry voice who provides guidance, introductions, and accountability.
Executive-level financial and operational leadership on a part-time basis.
A restaurant partnership is one of the most significant commitments you'll make as an owner — in many ways as serious as a marriage. Both sides need real skin in the game, a shared vision, and complete clarity on roles before a single document is signed. Wingman exists to help you find the right partner. This guide exists to help you do it wisely.
Your instincts exist for a reason. If something feels off in a partner conversation, it usually is. Here are the warning signs experienced owners have learned to watch for:
Wingman reviews every submission personally. We're not a directory — we're a curated network. That means we evaluate every concept for quality, growth intent, and fit before it goes live. If it's a match, your listing reaches serious investors, franchise developers, operators, and strategic partners who are actively looking for what you've built.
We review every application personally and respond within 48 hours.
Wingman is selective by design. A curated marketplace is more valuable to partners — which means more valuable to you.