Wiener's Circle Is Taking The Insults And Hot Dogs To A Bigger Audience
By Kate Shepherd in Food on Sep 18, 2015 5:58PM
Entertaining verbal abuse has made the Wiener's Circle famous enough to have a short-lived reality show, and now there are plans to use that infamy for even more business growth.
The Lincoln Park hotdog stand has been sold to five local investors who want to expand the brand beyond its original Clark Street location and Las Vegas outpost, according to the Tribune. A larger menu and franchising outside of Chicago are under consideration but there won’t be many noticeable changes for customers for a while.
If you’ve never experience the Wiener’s Circle in person, it’s hard to describe the scene in words. Check out comic Jack McBrayer and Triumph the Comic Insult Dog’s visit for Conan:
Stopping by for a hot dog and getting insulted has become a tradition for people (especially former fraternity bros in their 20s) who’ve had one too many drinks at nearby bars.
"We're very aware of what makes the place special, and people who come to the restaurant will continue to expect that," Matt Brewer, one of the new owners, told the Tribune. "There will be some changes over time, but it'll still look and feel like the restaurant they know and love."
The new owners also hope to capitalize on the stand's reputation for comedy and enlist the help of more famous comedians.