The Birdhouse isn't looking for a partner because things are hard — it's looking because things are working. Sales beat the prior month consistently. The demand has outgrown the current location.
What the owner is looking for
The partner who brings operational systems, scaling experience, and structural discipline to build this into a national brand.
Best Fried Chicken 2025 — Herald-Zeitung · Featured in The SOMM Journal
Introductions
Review each pitch before anyone gets your contact info.
MT
Marcus T.
Dallas, TX · Franchise developer · 12 yrs
Franchise developer
2h ago
Background
12 years in franchise development. Previously took a Texas BBQ concept from 1 to 18 locations. MBA from UT Austin.
What I bring
I've built the franchising playbook three times. Relationships with real estate developers, franchise attorneys, and area developers across the South and Southwest.
Why The Birdhouse
"I've been watching this concept for six months. The brand is distinctive. What's missing is exactly what I do."
Former restaurant operator (7 years, two concepts in Austin), now angel investor focused on food & hospitality. Active portfolio of 4 concepts.
Why The Birdhouse
"The concept resonates. I've seen a dozen elevated comfort food attempts fail — this one has what the others didn't."
JW
James W.
Houston, TX · Fellow owner · 8 years
Owner-to-owner
2d ago
Background
Owner of two Houston restaurants (8 years). Built one from scratch, acquired the second.
Why The Birdhouse
"I drove through New Braunfels six months ago and ate at The Birdhouse. I've thought about it almost every week since."
Owner feed
Owners only. Cross-market. Nobody here is your competition.
TipQuestionWin
JR
James R.
BBQ · East Austin
Tip
Switched to a daily pre-shift meeting instead of weekly — took 10 minutes off ticket times in the first week. Small change, real impact.
✓ 38 agreed14 replies2h ago
SL
Sofia L.
Italian · South Congress, Austin
Question
Anyone dealt with a landlord trying to renegotiate mid-lease? Looking for owner experience.
✓ 61 agreed22 replies1d ago
MK
Marcus K.
Brunch · North Loop, Austin
Win
Just hit our best revenue month ever — 3 years in. For anyone in year one feeling like it'll never click: it does.
✓ 104 agreed9 replies3d ago
Forum
Deeper conversations by topic.
How do you actually evaluate a potential investor?
Partnerships
34 replies · 89 agreed · 2d ago
Food cost past 32% — what actually worked?
Financials
28 replies · 71 agreed · 3d ago
Staffing strategies that reduced turnover
Staffing
41 replies · 93 agreed · 1w ago
Create listing
Your listing is your pitch to potential partners.
The basics
Growth partner ✓Franchise dev ✓Equity investor +Operator +
Wingman Pro
Professional tools for owners serious about growth.
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✓ Marketplace listing
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Submit questions on partnerships, leases, and business structure to a vetted restaurant attorney. Upgrade to unlock.
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📞
A Wingman original
The Call.
You know that moment. Something real is happening — a manager situation, a landlord who won't budge, a decision that keeps you up at night — and you reach for your phone. Your spouse picks up. Your friend picks up. They love you. They listen.
But they've never stood behind a line wondering if the person they just had to discipline is going to quit and take half the team with them.
Another owner would have been better.
That's what The Call is. You describe what's happening — honestly, in your own words. Wingman finds another owner who's been through something close. They write back. Not with advice. With their experience. What they did. What they'd do differently.
Private. No audience. No performance. Just one owner who's been through it, reaching back for the one who's in it right now.
✓ Always private
✓ Experience only — no advice
✓ Anonymous if you want
✓ Matched by situation
Make the call
Write it like you're texting a friend who owns a restaurant. Don't edit yourself. The more honest you are, the better the match.
Post anonymously
Your name and restaurant won't be visible to anyone
✓
Your call is in.
Wingman is finding the right owner to respond. You'll get a notification when someone who's been through something similar writes back. Usually within a few hours.
Your active calls
1 response waiting
The PeopleAnonymous · 14h ago
1 response
"My best manager has been with me four years. Two servers have come to me separately saying he gets too familiar..."
JR
Another Wingman owner
Casual dining · 9 years · Responded 6h ago
I went through almost exactly this two years ago. My kitchen manager, six years with me. Here's what I did — and the one thing I wish I'd done differently.
First: document before you do anything else. Write down dates, what was reported, word for word. Not to build a case — because you need to show you took it seriously immediately.
Second: don't frame it as "you did something wrong." I said "I need to talk to you about how some people on the team are experiencing you, and I need you to hear it." That kept him from getting defensive and actually let him respond like a human being. He didn't know how he was coming across. That's not always the case but it was in mine...
This conversation is private. Only you and this owner can see it.
The BuildingAnonymous · 3d ago
"Landlord is refusing to fix the HVAC. Heading into summer. Health dept has already flagged us once..."
Wingman is finding the right owner to respond. Hang tight.
Marketplace
Account
Browse listings
Curated, verified independent restaurant concepts open to the right partner.
Founder listing · #1
The Birdhouse
Fancy Chicken & Fine Cocktails
New
Growth partnerFranchise devEquity investor
New Braunfels, TX · $1.5M revenue · 4.5★ Google · 3 years open
Sales beat the prior month consistently. Looking for the partner who can build the operational foundation to take this to a national brand.
Lost Pines BBQ Co.
Central Texas Smoked Meats
3d ago
Franchise devSilent investor
Bastrop, TX · $890K revenue · 4.8★ Google · 6 years open
Award-winning pitmaster with a cult following. Proven concept, loyal catering, and a waitlist every weekend.
Mariposa Cantina
Modern Mexican & Mezcal Bar
1w ago
Growth partnerMarketing partner
San Antonio, TX · $1.1M revenue · 4.6★ Google
The mezcal program has earned three regional features. Strong following, second location opportunity needs the right partner.
The Birdhouse
Fancy Chicken & Fine Cocktails · New Braunfels, TX
Sales beat the prior month consistently. The goal is to take this to a national brand — the foundation is set, the next chapter needs the right person in it.
What the owner is looking for
The partner who brings operational systems, scaling experience, and structural discipline. The implementer to the owner's visionary.
Submit your pitch
This is not a connection request — it's a pitch. The owner reviews it before deciding whether to reveal their identity.
Submitted anonymously. The owner reviews and Wingman notifies both parties if they approve.
My pitches
Track the status of every pitch you've submitted.
The Birdhouse
Owner reviewing
New Braunfels, TX · Submitted 2h ago · Franchise developer
Waiting for the owner to review your pitch.
Casa Verde Kitchen
Revealed
Austin, TX · Submitted 5d ago · Growth partner
Contact revealed
Maria G. · maria@casaverdeatx.com
(512) 555-0174 · Austin, TX
Lost Pines BBQ Co.
Pending
Bastrop, TX · Submitted 3d ago · Silent investor
Hill Country Brewing Co.
Passed
Fredericksburg, TX · Submitted 2w ago · The owner passed. Keep browsing.
Saved listings
Concepts you've bookmarked for later.
The Birdhouse
New Braunfels, TX · $1.5M · Saved 2h ago
Lost Pines BBQ Co.
Bastrop, TX · $890K · Saved 3d ago
Mariposa Cantina
San Antonio, TX · $1.1M · Saved 1w ago
My partner profile
What owners see when they review your pitch.
Profile
Subscription
Your access to the Wingman marketplace.
Partner Monthly — Active
Full marketplace access
$99/mo
Upgrade to Annual — save $389
Partner Annual
Priority placement + early access
$799/yr
My practice
Profile
Good morning, Lisa
Your Wingman provider dashboard — restaurant attorney.
4
Questions pending
23
Answered this month
$161
Earnings this month
3
New lead alerts
Next in queue
Partnership agreement
"I'm about to sign a partnership agreement with an investor who wants 30% equity. What are the key things I should review before signing?"
Pro member · New Braunfels, TX · 1h ago
Recent earnings
Partnership agreement Q+$7.00
Lease negotiation Q+$7.00
Platform fee (30%)-$9.00
Q&A queue
Answer questions from Wingman Pro owners. You earn 70% ($7.00) per question. Answers are attributed with your name and contact.
How it works: Each question earns you $7.00 (70% of $10). Your answer is published with your name, firm, and contact — every owner who reads it sees you as the expert.
Partnership agreement1h ago · $7.00 to you
"I'm about to sign a partnership agreement with an investor who wants 30% equity. What are the key clauses I should make sure are in there?"
Attributed: Lisa M. · Restaurant Attorney
Lease negotiation3h ago · $7.00 to you
"My landlord wants to add a clause that lets them terminate my lease if the property is sold. Is this standard and should I push back?"
Business structure1d ago · $7.00 to you
"If I bring in a partner who takes 25% equity, do I need to restructure my LLC? What's the cleanest way?"
Lead alerts
Owners who viewed your profile or asked about your services.
Partnership agreement inquiry
Hot lead
An owner in New Braunfels, TX is in active franchise development conversations and asked about attorney services. Viewed your listing twice today.
New Braunfels, TX · 2h ago
Lease review needed
New
An owner in Austin, TX viewed your Q&A answer on lease termination and clicked your contact link.
Austin, TX · 1d ago
Profile view from owner
An owner in San Antonio, TX viewed your directory listing. No action taken yet.
San Antonio, TX · 3d ago
Earnings
Your Q&A revenue share — 70% of every question answered.
$161
This month
23
Questions answered
$847
All time
Transaction history
Partnership agreement Q&A
Today, 1h ago
+$7.00
Lease negotiation Q&A
Today, 3h ago
+$7.00
LLC structure Q&A
Yesterday
+$7.00
Ghost equity Q&A
2d ago
+$7.00
Directory listing
How you appear in the Wingman service provider directory.
One verified client from Wingman typically pays for 3–5 years of your membership. Your Q&A earnings this month alone offset $161 of your subscription cost.
Platform
Wingman HQ
Platform overview.
7
Total listings
34
Registered users
12
Active pitches
3
Intros revealed
Action needed
Platform health
Owners18
Partners11
Service providers5
Live listings5
Pitches this week7
Listings review
Review and approve owner listings before they go live.
Tex-Mex Social
Modern Tex-Mex · Houston, TX · 6h ago
Pending
Revenue: $650K–$1M
Open: 4 years
Seats: 75
"We've built a loyal neighborhood following in Montrose. Looking for a growth partner to help us open a second location in the Heights or Midtown..."
Pecan Street Diner
Classic American Diner · Austin, TX · 1d ago
Pending
Revenue: $500K–$750K
Open: 11 years
Seats: 55
"An Austin institution that's been feeding this neighborhood for 11 years. I'm ready to step back from day-to-day and need a managing partner..."
Introductions monitor
All platform introductions and their current status.
Listing
Partner
Type
Status
Date
The Birdhouse
Marcus T.
Franchise dev
Owner reviewing
Today
The Birdhouse
Sarah K.
Equity investor
Owner reviewing
Yesterday
Casa Verde Kitchen
Marcus T.
Growth partner
Revealed
5d ago
Lost Pines BBQ
James W.
Silent investor
Pending
3d ago
Mariposa Cantina
David R.
Operator
Revealed
1w ago
Users
All registered users on the platform.
RW
Ross Wilkinson
ross@thebirdhousetx.com · New Braunfels, TX
OwnerFree
MT
Marcus T.
marcus@txfranchise.com · Dallas, TX
PartnerMonthly $99
SK
Sarah K.
sarah@kfoodventures.com · Austin, TX
PartnerMonthly $99
LM
Lisa M.
lisa@lisam-law.com · Austin, TX
ProviderFeatured $299
Revenue
Platform revenue summary.
$1,457
This month
11
Subscriptions
$69
Q&A fees (30%)
$8,940
All time
Revenue breakdown
Partner subscriptions (11 × $99)$1,089
Provider subscriptions (1 × $299)$299
Q&A platform fees (30%)$69
Gross this month$1,457
Provider Q&A payouts (70%)−$161
Flagged items
Content flagged by owners or the system.
Pitch flagged by owner
The Birdhouse · Flagged 3h ago
Needs review
Owner's flag reason
"This person seems to be a broker trying to use the platform to source deals for commission. Their pitch mentions 'finder's fee' multiple times."
Partner: John D. · john@restbroker.com · Submitted pitch to 4 listings in 2 days