Hurricane Grill & Wings
Hurricane Grill & Wings is a Florida-founded American restaurant chain specializing in chicken wings, burgers, and related casual-dining fare.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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History
Hurricane Grill & Wings began in April 1995 when Chris Russo opened the first restaurant in Fort Pierce, Florida. The concept was built as a casual American restaurant with chicken wings as its defining product. Its menu and brand identity developed around customizable wings and sauces, complemented by burgers and other familiar grill and bar-food items. The chain's early growth was concentrated in the southeastern United States. By January 2008, it reportedly had 30 locations in Florida, Georgia, and Nevada. That year brought two ownership events: Fred Meltzer purchased the business, and on December 17, 2008, Hurricane AMT, LLC acquired the franchisor. Hurricane AMT was controlled by Gail Meyer Asarch and John C. Metz, who became the principal figures associated with the new ownership structure. Metz served as chairman and chief executive officer. On September 2, 2009, Martin O'Dowd was appointed president of Hurricane AMT. O'Dowd had previously held executive roles at several public restaurant companies and had most recently led Famous Dave's of America. His appointment reflected the owners' effort to apply experienced multi-unit restaurant management to the Hurricane Grill & Wings system. Under the Hurricane AMT structure, the brand expanded beyond its original Florida concentration. The locations identified in the available material included restaurants in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, and Texas, in addition to Florida and other previously reported markets. The chain was described as having 71 restaurants in 15 U.S. states, though the source does not provide a precise date for that total. The company also experimented with a distinct fast-casual format. On June 13, 2016, it opened the first Hurricane BTW restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The name represented Burgers-Tacos-Wings and signaled a broader menu and a faster service model than the traditional Hurricane Grill & Wings format. Management planned a further 24 BTW units for 2017, but the available source does not document how many were ultimately opened or whether the concept continued. The supplied reference material identifies FAT Brands as a later parent company. It further reports that FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on January 26, 2026, listing assets and liabilities between $1 billion and $10 billion, and that FBG Bid Co. acquired remaining assets, including Hurricane Grill & Wings, on June 18, 2026, for $595 million. These events are included as reported reference information, but the current operating status and post-transaction ownership of the individual brand are not independently established here. Accordingly, the brand's status remains unknown rather than being labeled active or defunct.
- 2016
First Hurricane BTW opens
[1]The first Hurricane BTW fast-casual restaurant opened in Fort Lauderdale on June 13.
- 2009
Martin O'Dowd becomes president
[1]Martin O'Dowd was appointed president of Hurricane AMT on September 2.
- 2008
Chain reaches approximately 30 locations
[1]By January, the chain had approximately 30 restaurants across Florida, Georgia, and Nevada.
- 2008
Hurricane AMT acquires the franchisor
[1]Hurricane AMT, LLC acquired the franchisor on December 17, 2008.
- 1995
First restaurant opens in Fort Pierce
[1]Chris Russo opened the first Hurricane Grill & Wings restaurant in Fort Pierce, Florida, in April 1995.
Products and positioning
A casual American restaurant brand built around chicken wings, sauce variety, burgers, and a broad sports-bar-style menu. Its later Hurricane BTW concept positioned the business toward a faster-casual format featuring burgers, tacos, and wings.
Casual dining · 1995
Hurricane Grill & Wings restaurant menu
The core Hurricane Grill & Wings offering centers on chicken wings prepared with selectable sauces and seasonings. The broader menu is associated with casual American restaurant fare, including burgers, appetizers, sandwiches, and other grill-oriented items. The brand's appeal is based on customization, an informal atmosphere, and a menu broad enough to serve guests seeking alternatives to wings.
Fast-casual restaurant concept · 2016
Hurricane BTW
Hurricane BTW, an abbreviation of Hurricane Burgers-Tacos-Wings, was introduced as a fast-casual extension of the brand. Its menu was designed around three principal categories—burgers, tacos, and wings—rather than the broader traditional restaurant format. The first unit opened in Fort Lauderdale in 2016, and management announced plans for additional locations in 2017. The available references do not establish the concept's eventual scale or current status.
Brand decisions
2026
FAT Brands Chapter 11 filingOtherBackground
The supplied reference material describes FAT Brands as the parent company and reports that it sought protection while carrying substantial debt.
Action taken
FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on January 26, 2026.
Aftermath
The material states that a court-approved asset sale later transferred remaining assets, including Hurricane Grill & Wings, to FBG Bid Co.
Reported assets and liabilities. $1 billion to $10 billion (At the January 26, 2026 Chapter 11 filing)
2016
Launch of Hurricane BTWProduct launchBackground
The company sought to extend its restaurant platform into a faster-casual format with a more focused menu.
Action taken
Hurricane AMT opened the first Hurricane BTW restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, featuring burgers, tacos, and wings.
Aftermath
Management announced an intention to open 24 additional BTW units in 2017, but the available material does not confirm the resulting number of locations.
2008
Hurricane AMT acquires the franchisorM&ABackground
After the chain had reached approximately 30 locations, the franchising business changed ownership during a broader period of expansion.
Action taken
Hurricane AMT, LLC purchased the Hurricane Grill & Wings franchisor on December 17, 2008.
Aftermath
The brand continued expanding under the ownership of investor partners Gail Meyer Asarch and John C. Metz.
Recent events
Hurricane Grill & Wings opens in California[2]
Reported:
FAT Brands is opening a Hurricane Grill & Wings location in Chula Vista, California; it is the brand's first location in California and its first fast-casual restaurant concept nationwide.
FAT Brands partners with Epic Kitchens in Chicago[3]
Reported:
FAT Brands expanded its ghost-kitchen operation through a partnership with Epic Kitchens in Chicago. Fatburger, Buffalo’s Express and Hurricane Grill & Wings menus would be prepared at an Epic Kitchens-operated facility for delivery in Chicago.
Sources3 sources
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