If you haven’t heard of them until now, it is because they are big out East. With 36 locations in Ontario, one in Alberta, and the 38th here in East Vancouver WingsUp! Has officially reached the Westcoast.
They are one of Canada’s fastest-growing names in the quick-service restaurant space, focusing on wings. They started as 6 locations and have currently blossomed as a franchise opportunity, thanks to the new and current owner that capitalized on the popularity of take out and delivery during covid. At one point they had bids for up to 100 new restaurants, however location is important and not any space will do, so 38 is where they stand.
Given the lack of brand awareness in Vancouver, their first and only location on Kingsway is unexpected, and would certainly have to prove itself as a destination. Luckily they are throwing a party this Saturday, September 20th, 2025 and inviting the first 100 people in for a free pound of wing. This is their most popular combo that comes with potato wedges, a couple of carrot slices and celery chunks, plus you choice of dip to have with everything. All packed up in an easy to travel box.
What sets them apart from other restaurants specializing in chicken wings or any bar offering wings on their menu is the quality of ingredient. They pride themselves on only using fresh, and never frozen chicken. They get wing deliveries twice a week to ensure a quality product is what is being fried and tossed in either rubs or sauces.
They have 16 different wing flavours at all times, with it ballooning up to 20, given the season’s offerings and demands. In truth the wings are larger in Ontario and on average 8-9 equates to a pound. However, in Vancouver our wings are smaller due to the producer, and to compensate it is 10-11 wings per pound order.
I respected the care put into packing the wings. Each drumlet or wing is carefully placed in position, stacked neat. The owner reassured that this was not just for me or for show, that all the staff have been trained and directed to do the same. So you aren’t just get wings tossed haphazardly into a box. This made sense given their desire to set the standard for comfort food. Once again their chicken wings are 100% real, fresh, and never frozen, there are no fillers, no shortcuts, and they promise only unbeatable flavour.
The latter they did deliver on, each wing we had was incredibly saucy or seasoned with plenty to lick your finger clean of. I just wished the wings were larger and the meat juicier. On the smaller side, you get more jagged crunchy breading that juicy dark meat.
Their wing flavours are divided between classic, sweet, spicy, dry, bold and sweet and spicy categories. And you have the choice between bone-in or boneless.
How each tastes depends on your chosen flavour. Today that was honey garlic from the sweet list and Jamaican hot from the spicy. The two flavours were nice opposites. The hot was actually stick out your tongue, panting heat with a nice tang. And the sweet was brightening with citrus from lemons.
During our visit their full menu wasn’t ready yet, so we weren’t able to try any of their burgers or sandwiches. We did try all their appetizers via their Multi-zers platter. I found this a clever pun of a name.
Like most bar appetizer offerings there was mozzarella sticks, deep fried pickles, Mac and cheese bites, and jalapeño poppers. The mozzarella wasn’t as gooey as I had hoped, and I didn’t get much of a string pull. The breading easily flaked off the pickle. The Mac and cheese triangles could have been gooier with cheese or come with a pot for dipping into. The poppers were my favourite with sharp sweet pepper and a cream cheese centre that slightly oozed. Delicious as is, but also tasty with either the ranch, marinara, or sour cream that comes included with the set.
In short they make a fun stop for bar style share plates and appetizers. Not gourmet, these are your quick and easy flavours, but well done with quality ingredients and generous seasonings. The franchise is built for in-house delivery ensuring customers get their wings fast and hot late at night, without third-party markups. And for those planning events, the brand also offers catering for all occasions; advertising office lunches, birthdays, game nights, and casual get-togethers.
WingsUp! Vancouver – Kingsway
3003 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5R 5J6
(672) 888-8232
wingsup.com
