ATL Wings: Success Built on Passion and Resourcefulness

Published: 09/12/2025

Mike and Cianna Kirksey opened the first ATL Wings location in Chandler, Ariz. in 2012 with the mission to redefine how wings are made and served. The duo recognized most restaurants treated wings as an afterthought and designed their concept to showcase wings as the centerpiece. With recipes rooted in flavor, culture and love, ATL Wings quickly stood out in the Greater Phoenix food scene.

Fast forward to today, ATL Wings has grown into a thriving Black-owned franchise with 15 locations across Arizona. With ATL as shorthand for “All The Luv,” the brand is known both for its crave-worthy wings and the sense of community it creates, two driving forces that have guided them through challenges and fueled their success.

Winging Through Financial Challenges

Like many minority-owned businesses, ATL Wings confronted barriers early on. Financial literacy resources, mentorship and expansion guidance weren’t readily available, slowing their ability to establish and scale.

“It was hard because the information was not readily available to people of color or minority entrepreneurs,” Cianna said. “Development, pricing and location expansion progressed at a much slower rate than what we initially anticipated.”

Access to credit is often identified as one of the largest barriers for minority-owned businesses, and ATL Wings’ story reinforces that reality. Despite building a loyal customer base and a proven concept, traditional financial institutions denied them the credit lines that could have accelerated their growth.

“We faced major barriers and setbacks when it came to acquiring credit to support our operations and expansions,” Cianna said. “We had access to funds, but no bank, private nor public, would issue us credit.”

Instead of following a well-worn playbook, the Kirkseys learned by trial and error. Every decision, from cost structures to new store openings, was a product of persistence and self-education rather than institutional guidance. This lack of financial support meant ATL Wings had to grow more slowly and carefully than its peers. While their expansion to 15 locations is impressive, it also points to the untapped growth that could have been achieved with better access to capital.

Despite the initial roadblocks, ATL Wings pressed forward. “We literally winged it,” said Cianna. “We learned as we moved along. We learned by trial and error.”

Creating a Legacy of Ownership

Beyond great food, ATL Wings is about building something lasting. The Kirkseys see their business as both a family legacy and a community anchor.

“ATL Wings has built a family amongst our franchise,” Cianna said. “We are building a legacy that can be passed down to our children and future generations to come. In addition, ATL Wings supports the communities in which we serve. We are ALL about THE LUV for our family and community, and our brand speaks for itself.”

Their growth has created opportunities for other entrepreneurs to own and operate franchises, multiplying the impact across Greater Phoenix and redefining what ownership and intergenerational wealth look like for minority entrepreneurs.

For the region, their journey is a clear signal: when entrepreneurs with proven concepts face unnecessary barriers to capital, valuable opportunities for economic expansion and job creation are delayed or lost. By improving access to credit, mentorship and targeted resources, Greater Phoenix can help more businesses like ATL Wings reach their full potential.

To learn more about ATL Wings, visit atlwings.com.