Wingerz Co-Owner Jaci Therrien on Running a Rockin’ Chicken Wing Food Truck

Chicken wings and rock n’ roll tend to be a potent combination. They are often best enjoyed together, and if you’re a fan of one, you’re likely a fan of the other. That’s particularly the case with Wingerz, a glorious food truck business that has caused quite a stir in the Abbotsford, British Columbia area. A family-run business, you’ll find Wingerz winging around the Abbotsford, Mission, and Chilliwack area most days, serving customers with a smile with some of the best chicken wings you’ll ever taste. Their fresh, never-frozen, special recipe wings have really caught on with the public, with the truck in a different spot practically every single day of the week. (See where they will be each day on the official Wingerz website).

The best types of business are ones that care, and the owners of Wingerz, including Jaci Therrien, really, really care. That’s why they are supremely focused on their customers, and they also try to give back. All tips and donations each month are given to a local charity, and in an attempt to not decimate the environment, all of their packaging containers are compostable.

We recently spoke with Therrien to learn more about Wingerz, their history, their charitable causes, and of course, her go-to wing preparing playlist.

The Wingerz Food Truck logo

Ok, let’s dive in. When and why was the Wingerz food truck born?

Jaci Therrien: “Cory was a mechanic for almost 30 years, and it was about time to move on to something new. The body was wearing down, and the passion for it was lost. We began pondering opening a pizza restaurant. We got as close as almost signing a lease agreement the day before the COVID lockdown in March 2020 (something said, ‘don’t do it,’ and we didn’t, thank goodness!) People have always loved Cory’s chicken wings, and so I suggested a wing food truck. Allows all the joys of a restaurant, but the freedom to choose the location rather than one spot.”

Who’s the crew manning this metallic food-purveying beast?

“Cory is the face and the voice of the truck and the lover of rock and heavy metal. I do all things in the background (accounting/HR/Marketing/Purchasing, etc…). We have two employees; Meg, in grade 12, has been working with us for nine months and is great with the customers. Kole just started with us. He is learning the important part of cooking and prepping food. So far, he is really enjoying himself and learning a lot.”

Your website says, “Métis owned and operated.” We’d love to hear more.

“Cory is full Metis and proud of it. We do as much with Indigenous events as possible. There are very few Indigenous food trucks around, and we take pride in telling and showing people of his heritage.”

Of all things, why did you opt to go with wings?

“For years, Cory would prepare wings when we would go to parties, or we would have Superbowl parties, and people rave about them. Our friends in Winnipeg were the first to mention many years ago he should open a wing food truck… many years later, he did!”

Other than the obvious (the band name Winger), was there a reason you went with the name Wingerz?

“The band name never actually played a part in the name choice (a fun coincidence, really). We played around with a few names, but Jaci said, ‘What about Wingerz?,’ designed the logo, and Wingerz was born.”

What’s your usual cooking playlist look like?

“After playing many songs on Spotify over the years, they created some great playlists. From Metallica to Iron Maiden, Ratt, and Korn, to Queen, Poison, Judas Priest, and so many more. Cory has always been a lover of rock, and Metallica has always been at the top. The ’80s is his genre for sure but also appreciates other types of music from many eras.”

Is there a best music to cook wings to?

“’80s rock, for sure.”

So, what’s the secret recipe? Fine, don’t tell us. But, give us some details on the wings and why they’re so good.

“All our products are fresh and locally sourced. That’s the main secret (ok, not a secret, as it’s on the website). But it’s true. We won best fries in Abbotsford last year, and for good reason. They are cut fresh every day. We don’t buy frozen bags from stores, as many others do, so they are also gluten-free, which so many people appreciate. Fresh, never frozen. Homemade batter and sauces. Fresh-cut fries and locally sourced potatoes. Compostable packaging.”

Talk to us about why these decisions were important to you.

“We want people to be able to enjoy food that is fresh and delicious with the least amount of preservatives as possible, so we make it all fresh and in the kitchen. The chilli and honey sauce is made from scratch, and the gravy (that is a mix) is brown gravy, so our vegetarian customers have something they can enjoy as well.

“Having as many compostable materials for packaging is important because we all need to do what we can to reduce waste and our carbon footprint. Although the packaging doesn’t go in the compost bin (doesn’t decompose at the same rate), it goes in the garbage but decomposes much faster than other garbage. It may cost a bit more, but in the end, the cost is much less to the environment.”

Tell us something about Wingerz that no one knows yet.

“It’s not easy to find something people don’t know because Cory loves to talk and tell people things like upcoming renovations or menu changes. We are always trying to think of expanding or just improving.”

Give us more insight into your “keep the change” campaign. Also, how do you select the receiving charity?

“From the moment we decided to have a business, giving back was always at the top of our list. We don’t ask people for tips or even suggest it, but we do let them know where it is going, back into their community, one way or another. Most people leave a little something, and it all adds up. We have given to the SPCA (we are animal lovers), Sara for Women, Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation, and Yarrow Food Hub.

“When we do any school events, we also contribute to them. We use the donations, tips, keep the change, and then top it up with our funding to make the donations. Making the choice of ‘who’ should get the donation isn’t easy, but that is why we donate to a variety, so the money is spread around to all that need it.”

Over to you to wrap things up… open mic!

“We are just a family-owned and operated business that tries to keep the costs as low as possible for people to be able to enjoy our food and not break the bank. It’s not easy with continuing costs, but we keep the costs lower by reducing costs in other ways. We are mainly based in the Fraser Valley but tend to wander out occasionally for the right gig.”

The Wingerz Food Truck menu