WingsUp! is a single-category chicken-wing concept offering takeout, delivery, and catering across a modest, long-running Canadian network — a narrower menu than a combined pizza-and-wings concept, but a deep-fry-heavy kitchen means the exhaust hood and fire-suppression system get as much attention on resale as the fryer line itself.
WingsUp! resales follow the franchisor's own approval process on top of the usual purchase mechanics — here's how the two run together.
Getting approved
The offer sets price and structure, conditioned on franchisor consent, an assignable lease, and confirming the fryer line, exhaust hood, and fire-suppression system are in good standing.
1–2 weeks†WingsUp!'s head office reviews the proposed buyer and deal terms, and may exercise a right of first refusal before the sale can proceed.
several weeks, typically†A franchise disclosure document may still be required for this resale — Ontario courts read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, so franchisor involvement in the sale can trigger it even where it's framed as a private deal.
assessed early†Getting to closing
The landlord's written consent to assign the lease is pursued alongside confirming the kitchen exhaust and fire-suppression system's inspection and maintenance records are current.
2–6 weeks†The incoming owner typically completes WingsUp!'s fryer-operations and food-safety training before or shortly after taking over.
1–3 weeks†Funds and keys change hands, wing-product and sauce inventory is counted and settled at cost, and the franchisor confirms the transfer is complete.
1 day, once conditions are met†CFA Look For A Franchise listing confirms an established Canadian franchise network, CFA member since 2010, operating since 1988
Chicken wing takeout/delivery/catering chain with Ontario locations
This is the first real decision in a WingsUp! resale — and it changes what you're buying, what you're taking on, and how the franchise agreement moves.
| Question | Asset purchase | Share purchase |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | The unit's fryer and kitchen equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory, and the franchise agreement's benefit, subject to franchisor consent. | The shares of the operating company — everything it owns, and everything it owes. |
| Franchisor consent & ROFR | Required for the specific unit, often paired with a current-form agreement. | Required for the change of control itself. |
| Kitchen ventilation & fire-suppression equipment | A deep-fry-heavy format means the exhaust hood and fire-suppression system's certification and maintenance records are reviewed as a standard part of diligence. | Historical maintenance records attach to the corporation, so past compliance matters even more on a share sale. |
| The lease | Needs the landlord's written consent to assign. | Usually stays in place, unless the lease has its own change-of-control clause. |
| Tax angle | Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased. | Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares. |
| Typical use | The default for most single-unit resales. | Less common — occasionally used where an operator holds several units under one company. |
The unit's fryer and kitchen equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory, and the franchise agreement's benefit, subject to franchisor consent.
The shares of the operating company — everything it owns, and everything it owes.
Required for the specific unit, often paired with a current-form agreement.
Required for the change of control itself.
A deep-fry-heavy format means the exhaust hood and fire-suppression system's certification and maintenance records are reviewed as a standard part of diligence.
Historical maintenance records attach to the corporation, so past compliance matters even more on a share sale.
Needs the landlord's written consent to assign.
Usually stays in place, unless the lease has its own change-of-control clause.
Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased.
Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares.
The default for most single-unit resales.
Less common — occasionally used where an operator holds several units under one company.
We tell you which structure fits — before you sign anything.
No open-ended hourly surprises — the cost is confirmed in writing before any work begins.
| Type of work | Fee | How it's confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward purchase or sale | Starting from $3,388.87 Our charges · taxes included | Confirmed in writing once we see the agreement. |
| Larger or more complex deal | Quoted to scope | Short call → fixed written quote before any work begins. |
| Searches, filings & third-party fees | At cost | Itemized on your invoice, not marked up. |
A single WingsUp! location changing hands between one buyer and one seller, with current fire-code and health-unit standing.
Start my file →A multi-unit operator adding a WingsUp! location to an existing portfolio, or a resale where lapsed ventilation or fire-suppression certification needs to be resolved before terms are final.
Book a consultation →Not sure which you are? That's our job to figure out, not yours. As a rough guide, most deals under a couple of million dollars are the first kind — above that, you're usually in Mergers & Acquisitions territory.
It can draw closer attention — a deep-fry-heavy format means the exhaust hood and fire-suppression system's certification and maintenance history are typically reviewed as their own diligence item, separate from the general health-unit inspection.
Often, yes — off-site delivery of prepared food for catering can fall outside a standard location's base insurance, so confirming coverage extends to catering accounts is a standard part of diligence.
Yes — standalone units, strip-plaza locations, and delivery/takeout-only formats all exist within the network, so the premises step of a resale looks different depending on which format the specific unit uses.
Possibly. Ontario courts have read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, and franchisor involvement in matching a buyer to a seller can be enough to trigger a full disclosure requirement even where the deal is framed as a private resale.
That's identified during diligence and addressed in the purchase agreement — typically as a condition the seller remedies before closing, or as an adjustment to price rather than something the buyer discovers after taking over.
Related
Where we close franchise resale deals
Treadstone Law is an independent law firm. We act for buyers and sellers of franchise businesses. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or retained by WingsUp! or its franchisor.
Tell us about your WingsUp! resale — we'll point you the right way and confirm the cost in writing before any work begins.