BY STEPHEN H. COWLES/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Playback58@gmail.com

FRANKLIN—Despite Internet chatter about an expected shortage of wings for Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday, that’s not the case in Western Tidewater.

“We’ll definitely have enough,” said Larry Goodman, manager of the KFC in Franklin. “We’re required to order plenty.”

The National Chicken Council estimates Americans will eat 1.23 billion wings during the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

“The good news for consumers is that restaurants plan well in advance to ensure they have plenty of wings for the big game,” said Bill Roenigk, chief economist and market analyst at the Washington, D.C.-based organization. “But if you’re planning to cook your own wings, I wouldn’t advise being in line at the supermarket two hours before kickoff.”

The Armory Drive KFC has 3,000 wings for game day. Orders usually come in as early as two days ahead of time, Goodman said.

A Baltimore Ravens fan, he says wings are so popular because they’re finger food and take no time – nine minutes — to cook.

Pizza Hut Manager Julia Ridley and crew are also ready. She’s worked every Super Bowl Sunday since 1987, and the Franklin restaurant has never ran short of wings. Ridley figures to sell 2,000-plus wings this weekend.

“They’re the greatest. We sell the best wings in the area,” the fellow Ravens fans said. “This is a WingStreet store.”

Tony Zachary, general manager of the Applebee’s in Franklin, said Sunday will be “business as usual.” Zachary assures customers there’ll be plenty of wings. If planning to order take-out, he advises allowing two hours in advance.

Donald Sumblin of Mr. D’s Southern Kitchen and Catering said he’s got about 180-plus wings for game day. They can be prepared mild, hot, plain, fried or barbecued.

“We’ll sell until there are no more,” said Sumblin, who plans to close the restaurant at 4:30 so that his staff watch the game.