Twitter Paves the Way for Local Business

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - One local restaurant is taking advantage of free advertising. It's using social media to connect with its customers and to lure in more.

If you follow a Memphis Tiger basketball player on twitter, chances are you've heard of Chings Hot Wings. The restaurant is a regular topic among current and former players in their tweets, and Chings is cashing in big time.

Even before you walk in the door, its evident Chings Hot Wings is proud of its customers. But customer appreciation at this Memphis-based restaurant, isn't limited to posted pictures. An internet-friendly business, Chings Hot Wings is constantly thanking its patrons on Twitter.

"I just thought it would be a good idea to get the business on there and acknowledge customers that come through and give them a personal shout out," said Joshua Williams, the nighttime manager of Chings Hot Wings.

Williams and Chings PR-extraordinaire, Reba Sanford are constantly tweeting about who's at Chings and thanking them for their business.

"We get a lot of feed back from it. People come in and say "I'm at Chings Hot Wings right now eating, and I'll go in and re-tweet it," Sanford said.

Chings, which is located on Getwell, has seen a major increase in business since giving out customer salutes on Twitter.

"It's always crowded. There's never really a dead moment. We're always up at the counter working and running food back and forth," said Christin Arnold, a waitress at Chings.

Many of the restaurant's customers are current and former Tiger basketball and football players. No matter who's your favorite, chances are you'll catch evidence of a trip to Chings, especially local Tigers.

"Jeremy Hunt-he comes in here a lot," said Williams.

Even those who admire Chings from afar, like Chris Douglas-Roberts, still show the restaurant love.

"Even though he is out of town, he always tweets about when he comes back, he's gonna get some," Williams said.

According to Williams, Tweets from Tigers have attracted customers for Chings from all over.

"He came like 200 miles to come up here and get some wings because he heard Will Barton come up here and that was crazy."

Not crazy to Chings Hot Wings followers.

"Follow us @CHINGSHOTWINGS...I Salute you," he said.

Chings Hot Wings is collecting school supplies until September 5th for the children of Sherwood Middle School.

If you donate something like a new binder, or paper and pencils, they'll give you a buy one get one free coupon.

The restaurant is located at 1264 Getwell Road in Memphis.