Wings, fries and family: How this small business opened in Hanna City
HANNA CITY − It was gloomy when KP’s Wings and Fries held its ribbon cutting on July 14, and the same for its grand opening the next day. Still, the family-owned business sold over 1250 pounds of chicken wings on its first day.
“If it was sunny, I'm afraid of what would have happened,” Kelly Petersen Sr. said.
He co-owns KP’s Wings and Fries with two of his sons, Kelly Petersen Jr. and Kyle Petersen. The restaurant, which is open seven days a week, is working to offer delivery.
For Petersen Sr., KP’s Wings and Fries offered the opportunity for his children to create a business of their own. Eventually, he wants to step back and let them take over fully.
Petersen said they initially considered making Philly Cheesesteaks the staple of the business. Eventually, however, the family settled on offering chicken wings as the restaurant’s main item.
At KP’s Wings and Fries, 12521 W. Farmington Road in Hanna City, customers can find bone-in, boneless and breaded wings. The restaurant also offers a variety of sauces, including buffalo ranch, Caribbean jerk, citrus chipotle, garlic parmesan and more. Petersen said his favorite sauce is the honey sriracha.
For guests looking for a challenge, KP’s offers the Reaper Challenge. If a customer eats 10 wings in 10 minutes, they get a free meal, t-shirt and photo on the wall.
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What’s the catch?
The wings, Petersen said, are coated in a sauce made from the world’s hottest peppers. He said one customer has already completed the challenge.
“He was sweating through the whole thing,” Petersen said with a laugh.
KP’s also offers ice cream and many of the foods that can be found at an ice cream stand.
“Our burgers are char-broiled, which is a little different,” Petersen said. “So, we've got a really good cheeseburger.”
Prior to becoming KP’s, Angie and Steve Mullens operated the building as Hannah's Parlor for over 25 years. Petersen said he used to eat at the small shop nearly every day and got to know the owners.
Petersen said he told the Mullenses they could contact him if they ever wanted to sell the building. Years later, they were ready to retire.
“One thing led to another and I bought it and decided to create something for the family, you know, the kids to fall into,” Petersen said, “and that’s really the Genesis of how KP’s got started. All the boys in the family’s name − their initials are KP. So, hence the name KP’s, and it just worked out really good.”
After purchasing the space, Petersen said he spent a year getting it ready. He said the layout inside was alright overall, but he redecorated both the interior and exterior of the building.
Petersen also said he renovated the restrooms, added a bar area with seating and replaced the old dining area with new tables and booths. Petersen, who is a commercial property developer, also found wood, metal and other knickknacks from older buildings to help decorate the space.
At the restaurant, Petersen said his whole family has been involved with helping. He said KP’s Wings and Fries has also been able to employ 23 people.
Angie Mullens continued to come in and help out after KP’s opened.
“She's been really, really phenomenal − her and her husband both − in helping us get going,” Petersen said, “and she really wants us to be successful and we've got a million thanks to her.”
For Mullens, helping KP’s is also about helping preserve the ice cream parlor's legacy and pass it down to the new owners.
“I wish them all the best and I hope that they have a huge success,” she said. “And like I said, I hope that they in turn they love it as much as I did and, so far, I think I think they're doing good.”
On opening day, KP’s sold 350 pounds of boneless wings, along with the 900 pounds of bone-in wings. The restaurant had to close early on July 16 after depleting its stock and had to remain closed the following day to restock.
At one point during the first few days, Petersen said there were so many people at KP’s that there was a two-hour wait time. He said the community has been very supportive.
“Very grateful,” Petersen said. “You know, this could have went one of two ways. It could have been a hit or could have been a flop. I'm invested up to my ears in this emotionally, financially and physically over the last year, and it's really satisfying when your dream works out.”
KP's Wings and Fries
Address: 12521 W. Farmington Road, Hanna City
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Phone: 309-565-1064
Website: https://www.facebook.com/KPs-Wings-and-Fries-108485548596453
Connect with Cassidy Waigand by emailing her at CWaigand@gannett.com or by following her on Twitter at @justxaxwriter.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: KP's Wings and Fries opens in Hanna City, Illinois