The Wing Guru Connects Family, Food and Basketball

Photo from thewingguru.com

The Wing Guru has won numerous awards for their exotic flavors, including the Santa Anita Hot Wing Cook-Off’s most creative sauce where Honey Suicide sauce won the top prize.

In the same year, The Wing Guru was named the sixth best wing restaurant by The Wing Experts, a respected group in the industry.

But before winning these prestigious awards, owner Billy Richmond put in long hours in the kitchen, perfecting recipes, serving customers and looking to build a brand.

People told him not to open a wing restaurant, that the market was over-saturated in the city and that his model would never translate.

Despite the notion that people would never take to his exotic flavors, through hard work and dedication, his work has paid off.

After seeing their business take off in the past few years, Richmond struck a deal to become the official hot wing of the Memphis Tigers athletic program. Marking a return to his alma mater.

In the 2018-2019 season, The Wing Guru set sales records in the FedExForum before a dispute removed their arena location.

“To get where I wanted, I needed to work with Tiger Nation,” said Richmond.

Growing up in Memphis, it had been his dream to play basketball for his hometown school. The same place that Penny Hardaway once played.

At the age of 13, Richmond was ranked the top prospect in the country and began playing varsity basketball during the eighth grade.

He was a part of one of the most successful AAU programs in the country, competing for the national title while dominating the high school circuit in his career.

Throughout his childhood, wings and basketball were at the center of everything he did, helping his dad and uncle with their restaurants when he was off the court.

Crumpy’s was the family’s first restaurant and it did exceedingly well and has become a staple of Memphis food. His dad later began work on his own project, Don Don’s which has also seen great success.

“It’s been in my DNA,” said Richmond.

He saw opportunities for growth in their wing empire, proposing unique, new flavors and innovative marketing ideas that were ultimately shut down thanks to what Billy calls a “generation gap.”

As college was approaching, he decided to play for Vanderbilt, just three hours away from home but ultimately finished his career at the University of Memphis under coach John Calipari.

“I’m a lifelong Memphian, I love Memphis,” said Richmond, “It’s the dream of these local kids to become a Tiger.”

That is what makes the partnership so special, not only with the school, but with the city. There is an undying love for the community that has embraced and supported The Wing Guru.

After his college playing days, Richmond traveled overseas where he spent time in Serbia followed by a stint in Mexico pursuing his dream of playing professional basketball.

When the time ran out on his professional playing career, Richmond moved to Dallas, Texas and started working full time at a more conventional job.

It was then that he opened a food truck, finding joy by serving the wings he had learned to make as a young child.

With incredible feedback, he moved the food truck with his company to Jacksonville, Florida and continued selling.

It was during his time in Jacksonville that Billy decided to “bring it home” and share his exotic flavors with his hometown.

The Wing Guru has a wide array of unique flavor combinations, but Billy gave a brief list of his favorites:

Memphis Dry Heat, Lemon Pepper Hot, Guru Dill, Spicy Taco (On Tuesday).

All these flavors are cooked in premium oil and made to order to ensure maximum freshness every time.

The Wing Guru is also anticipating the release of a NEW Alfredo Sauce that Richmond says will quickly become a fan favorite.

In addition to the many new flavors Billy has introduced to the market, he has brought all the innovative branding ideas he once pitched to his father in his restaurant.

“The Wing Guru seal lets you know that these wings are official,” said Richmond.

Surrounding the seal are various quotes from local and national celebrities, including:

John Calipari (Kentucky Basketball Head Coach)

“Billy, please keep these honey gold wings away from me. I can’t take anymore…...”

Mike Norvell with Billy Richmond

Mike Norvell (Memphis Football Head Coach)

“Billy is a game changer in the wing industry. Wing Guru is the new standard.”

DJ Stephens (Professional Basketball Player)

“Lawd Hammercy”

Richmond says that there are many quotes that have not yet made an appearance and that customers can expect to see those spread across multiple locations.

With growth, they have begun rapidly expanding and are currently working on locations in the following cities:

Southaven, Mississippi – 2-3 weeks (Jaren Jackson Jr. autograph signing.)

Hernando, Mississippi – Approximately one month

Collierville, Tennessee – March-April 2020

Dallas, Texas – Summer 2020

Updates on the progress of these locations can be found on The Wing Guru’s social media accounts.

Although Billy’s brand has grown past his father’s and his uncle’s, all three remain staples in the community and provide their own unique atmosphere and quality.

The Richmond family has taken the success during the “Wing Frenzy” of the 1990’s and brought it into the 21st century across two generations.