Wings and Tacos make the perfect pair in this newly established fast food outlet. Wings and Tacos has spiced up the food scene with it’s amazing flavors and a pairing that many have not come across. Founder of the Wings and Tacos fast food outlet, Wakhile Kunene dishes out the juicy details of Wings and Tacos.
By Tshegofatso Tube
At the age of 21, Wakhile Kunene ventured into the food industry and never looked back. While taking a gap year, she enrolled in the International Hotel School in Pretoria where she studied culinary arts for a year and received a double certificate. Shortly after that, she worked in the industry where she realized that she wanted to start her own food business. Wakhile is professional chef as well as a culinary school graduate. Wings and Tacos was merely an idea in 2022 and it is finally spreading it’s wings. Let’s hear about Wakhile’s journey with Wings and Tacos.
What inspired you to start Wings and Tacos?
I identified that there was something missing in the South African market. Knowing that tacos are a normal cuisine found in Mexican restaurants but are not necessarily that popular , I had the idea of putting wings and tacos together. We know that a lot of brands do not have a variety of flavors so that is why I wanted to bring something to to the market that has a wide variety of flavors.
What makes Wings and Tacos different from other fast food establishments?
Our packaging is definitely what makes us stand out. As a home based business, Wings and Tacos does not shy away from making sure that they represent themselves well. The fact that i am part of the youth is also another factor. Wakhile expresses that society tends to see the youth as lazy and unable to work hard. Being able to create something as an African person is a great achievement especially when you consider how factors such as unemployment are negatively affecting the youth.
Read more: https://www.sibizimagazine.co.za/2024/05/31/6-essentials-to-pack-when-travelling-in-winter/
What is your menu concept and how do you ensure consistent quality?
The menu consists of wings and tacos as well as sweet treats and beverages. There are a range of flavors with regards to the wings. We have buffalo wings, sweet and spicy garlic wings and barbecue wings. The barbecue wings have a topping of sesame seed as well as spring onions. It’s basically me adding my culinary expression to the dishes. Wakhile’s culinary experience has proven to be very helpful in her journey and it plays a big role in the way that she conducts her business. During culinary school I learnt about the different procedures required in the kitchen. When working in the restaurants and hotels you are able to observe how they stock ingredients and how they maintain the quality of the food. I make the sauces in batches to preserve the consistency of the sauces. Making sure that the customers receive quality food is a priority for Wings and Tacos. I think with running a small business, consistency is important because it proves that you are professional and people will take your brand seriously.
What are the highlights of running Wings and Tacos?
As a shy individual , learning how to express myself and really put myself out there has changed the way I view myself. Although it does get a bit challenging, it has really been a highlight for me. At times you want the business to grow fast but you realize that it takes time. One step at a time will lead to a bigger result states Wakhile. Coming out of her comfort zone and doing what she loves has been a great highlight for Wakhile.
What keeps you going when things get hard?
What keeps me going is the vision of where i want Wings and Tacos to be. People’s reactions towards Wings and Tacos also help me stay positive and focused on the bigger picture. A video from the Wings and Tacos TikTok page blew up and the comments from the video were very positive .People see the vision of Wings and Tacos despite the fact that we haven’t been open for a long time. Wings and Tacos has just started revving up the engine but the passengers on the flight are already desperate for takeoff.
What challenges have you faced in the business?
At first i struggled with the audience because i was receiving a lot of orders at the same time. I had approached two influencers and once they posted about Wings and Tacos, i gained more clients. I had to come up with a strategy that could help me manage orders. Making sure that the orders were correct was also a bit challenging in the beginning. In addition to this, Wakhile runs Wings and Tacos by herself so every business task is fulfilled by her. With Wings and Tacos being home based and run solely by Wakhile, it is fair to say that she is the Wonder Woman of the fast food industry.
What advice can you give aspiring fast food owners?
I would advise going to school if you can. Culinary school is helpful because you can learn about the business side of the food industry. Tasks like costing a menu, stock taking and making profits are essential things that you can learn at culinary school. I would also advise people to read books. Wakhile expresses that she loves reading books and she gains a lot of knowledge in the process. I would also suggest doing your research on different fast food outlets because it can help you. Do not be scared to put yourself and your business out into the world. Even if there are two people buying from you and reposting your work, it does still make an impact. It is important to keep in mind that it is a lot of hard work especially in the beginning stages. You have to push yourself and stay disciplined because motivation will not always be there. Lastly, make sure that you care about what you are doing.
What does the future for Wings and Tacos look like?
I am focused on growing my customer base and familiarizing people with the menu. Once I launch my food trailer, I want to have a good sense of who my customers are. I want the trailer to be like a fast food restaurant but it must be in the form of a trailer. From there, I aim to open a physical store for Wings and Tacos. I am taking small steps but the goal remains the same. Wakhile conveys that she works hard everyday to spread the word and grow Wings and Tacos.
To learn more about Wings and Tacos visit https://www.instagram.com/wings_tacos/