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6 min read
Published On16 Aug 2025
June 30, 2025
When Bob and Corrine Frick cracked open the first Roosters on North Main Street back in 1988, they probably didn’t imagine their crispy-winged empire would sprawl across four states. Today, this feathered phenomenon has hatched more than 40 restaurants throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia — a testament to what happens when you nail the perfect marriage of sports, suds, and seriously good wings.
In our 2025 Best of Dayton contest, Roosters soared above the competition, claiming the top roost in both Best Sports Bar and Best Wings categories. And honestly? It’s not hard to see why this place has been drawing crowds for nearly four decades.
“We can not thank everyone enough who voted,” said Nicole Cox, vice president of marketing and public relations for Roosters. “It really means the world to us because we strive to provide great experiences for our guests.”
Best of Dayton 2025 winners
A passion for food and hospitality
The Fricks and Bob’s brother, Ray, were the original partners in Fricker’s in West Carrollton
“We consider Fricker’s as our’ going to college” in the restaurant business,” Corrine said in a 1993 interview with the Dayton Daily News. “That was our learning experience.”
By 1993, the founders owned five Roosters in Dayton, Springboro, Columbus and Lancaster.
“Bob’s passion for food has always been part of his make-up, although for years he thrived as a teacher, coach, and trainer. So, the countless hours of developing sauces, recipes and taste-testing foods were a labor of love for him,” the restaurant’s menu states.
“Corrine, who has never met a stranger, possesses a genuine hospitality and love toward people, which is the cornerstone of the Roosters culture,” the restaurant’s menu states. “An outgoing, friendly, positive attitude and a passion for guest service are essentials for any of our Roosters team members.”
The original location at 3501 N. Main St. closed in August 2021 — about a year before the region’s newest Roosters opened at 2430 N. Fairfield Road in Beavercreek.
Other locations in the Dayton region include: 5571 Merily Way in Huber Heights, 9400 Springboro Pike in Miamisburg, 257 West Central Ave. in Springboro and 400 W. Main St. in Xenia.
What to expect
Roosters is described as “a fun, casual joint.”
“We want to be your destination to watch the games… but we also like to make it very family friendly,” Cox said.
Customer favorites on the menu include boneless or traditional wings. The wings are fresh, never frozen, hand-breaded and cooked in 100% zero trans fat soy oil. They can be ordered naked —without the breading.
Favorites sauces include Hot, Carolina Gold, Korean BBQ and Donkey (a step above hot, but still flavorful).
Cox described their pizza as a “hidden gem” on the menu. A favorite is the Buffalo Chicken Pizza featuring a medium wing sauce layered with fried chicken, mozzarella and provolone cheeses, celery and blue cheese crumbles. Customers can customize this pizza with their choice of wing sauce.
Those looking for a healthier option should try the marinated grilled fingers or a salad.
Roosters strives to keep their prices as low as possible, while delivering quick service.
“We want to be an affordable place for families, an affordable place to watch the game, but also enjoy quality food with an award winning wait staff as well,” Cox said. “Our team members, they really add to the experience because they love their job and then that’s transferred to the guest.”
Team members are the heart of Roosters
When asked what has contributed to the company’s success, Cox said it’s their guests and team members.
“We’re a family. We focus on taking care of our guests and taking care of our team members,” Cox said. “We believe if you just stick to that, everything else will come.”
The company’s corporate team is comprised of several people who have been with Roosters from the beginning.
CEO Denise Carlisle and Vice President Amy Glanzman have been with Roosters for 35 years.
Other key team members in the Dayton region include:
- Dayton Director of Operations Danny Nader — 32.5 years
- Dayton Director of Kitchen Operations Mike Padilla — 30 years
- Beavercreek General Manager Ben Bateman — 24 years
“It’s a really special company because we all started at the bottom and worked our way up,” Cox said. “We’ve all been with this company and believe in this company, and that has helped it grow.”
Cox has been with the company for 21 years and in her current position for 12.
Giving back
“It’s so important to us to give back to those who have supported us,” Cox said. “We wouldn’t be where we are without the community.”
Roosters receives more than 700 donation requests for community events throughout the year. They’re able to give back through gift cards, Rooster Bucks and items for auctions.
Something special the company offers to organizations for fundraising events are 10% off Fun Cards. Each card can be sold for a $10 profit that goes back to the organization.
“We help give back over a million dollars a year to the local community,” Cox said.
Another way they give back is through $1 Cheryl’s Cookies — buttercream-frosted or chocolate chip. Customers can buy these at their local restaurant and 100% of proceeds go to the Roosters Foundation.
“Our mission is to partner with difference makers in the community and give back to those local charities, programs and organizations that directly support the growth and well-being of the community,” Cox said.
The future
Like a restless bird of prey, Roosters is always scouting new territory. The company recently spread its wings to 4850 Morse Road in Columbus, bringing their signature blend of game-day atmosphere and finger-licking goodness to another hungry neighborhood.
They’re also in the thick of some serious nest-rebuilding — reopening the Marysville location after the franchise owners hung up their aprons, plus breathing new life into a Columbus spot on Olentangy River Road that got a complete makeover following a fire. Sometimes the best phoenix rises from literal ashes.
“As far as Dayton, we do not have anything currently brewing, but we’re always keeping our eyes peeled for the right opportunity,” Cox said, the kind of measured optimism that suggests good things come to those who wait — and scout properly.
Most Dayton-area locations remain under the corporate wing, though the Xenia outpost flies under independent franchise colors. It’s this mix of corporate consistency and local flavor that keeps the Roosters brand both reliable and refreshingly adaptable.
“Our mission is the dedication to providing a fun, casual atmosphere for our employees and guests,” Cox said. “Honesty, integrity, dependability and personality are the cornerstones to the foundation of our business. We are committed to the service of our guests and to the growth of our employees.”
MORE DETAILS
Last year, Roosters took home first place in Best Wings and was a finalist for Best Sports Bar.
For more information about Roosters, visit roosterswings.com or the restaurant’s Facebook or Instagram (@roosterswings) pages.
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