Baton Rouge favorite Empire Wingz is spreading its wings to Lafayette, taking over the storefront at 1521 Ambassador Caffery Parkway in one of the city’s busiest retail stretches. The expansion will bring the chain’s spicy wing flavors and its signature VJ Fries to local diners. As of this report, the restaurant still has not announced a firm opening date.
From nightclub snack to regional brand
Empire Wingz traces back to owner Vic Smith, who started selling hot wings out of his nightclub in 2012, then graduated to a permanent spot across from Southern University, according to WBRZ. The station reported that Smith built the following through pop-up events before turning the concept into a franchised operation that feeds students and locals on football weekends.
Where in Lafayette it will land
Local site Developing Lafayette first pinned the incoming spot at 1521 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, placing it near La Chapina and La Catraccha. WhatNow later noted that the space was previously occupied by a Subway, giving a clearer picture of exactly which unit Empire Wingz is set to flip.
What to expect from the menu
Empire Wingz promotes a long list of house sauces and stacked fry options, with its BBQ-Ranch “VJ Fries” billed as a signature item on the brand’s site, according to Empire Wingz. Delivery listings on platforms like DoorDash also feature VJ Fries alongside wing combos, which suggests the Lafayette lineup will closely mirror what Baton Rouge regulars are already ordering.
Timing and expansion plans
WhatNow reported in a March 6 story that the Lafayette location did not yet have an announced opening date and described the brand as operating multiple Baton Rouge locations plus two food trucks. WBRZ has previously detailed the chain’s growth and called it a franchised operation with several East Baton Rouge sites. Lafayette diners can expect more specifics once the company finishes the buildout and officially posts an opening date.
