Bucky Irving joins Tampa Bay’s Sugar Wing as investor and ambassador

Sugar Wing has tapped Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving as a strategic investor and brand ambassador, aiming to expand the chicken concept’s reach through community events, social media and local appearances. The partnership leans on Irving’s hometown ties and Sugar Wing’s fast-casual push in Tampa Bay. Why it matters: - Sugar Wing is using a high-profile Tampa Bay athlete to deepen local brand awareness and drive community connection. - Bucky Irving’s role gives the fast-casual chicken chain a recognizable face as it competes for attention in a crowded restaurant market. - The partnership links a hometown sports figure with a local food concept built around Tampa Bay identity. What happened: - Sugar Wing announced a partnership with Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving. - Irving is joining Sugar Wing as a strategic investor and brand ambassador. - The partnership will include fan engagement events, community initiatives and social media content. - Sugar Wing said Irving was an early fan of the brand and will use his platform and community ties to help build awareness. The details: - Sugar Wing is a Tampa Bay-based fast-casual chicken concept. - The menu centers on fresh, never-frozen chicken with scratch-made sauces. - Sugar Wing sells wings, sandwiches, strips, salads and desserts. - Menu formats include Combos, Family Meals, Kid’s Meals and Catering. - Sugar Wing offers dine-in, drive-thru, takeout and delivery through the Sugar Wing App, Uber Eats and DoorDash. - Irving said he was drawn to the brand’s food and Tampa Bay roots. - Carlos Pasquotto, Sugar Wing CEO, said the company views Irving as a strong fit because of his authenticity and community appeal. - Sugar Wing directed customers to follow @MySugarWing on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for updates on restaurant appearances and events. - The source text also lists Sugar Wing social accounts on Instagram , TikTok , Facebook and YouTube . Between the lines: - The deal is as much about locality as marketing. - Sugar Wing is pairing product positioning, Tampa Bay identity and athlete credibility to strengthen brand loyalty. - Irving’s community-first image can help the restaurant reach fans beyond traditional food advertising. What’s next: - Sugar Wing plans to roll out more restaurant appearances and events with Irving. - The partnership is likely to show up across fan activations, local outreach and digital content. - Sugar Wing will use social media to publicize Irving-related updates as the relationship develops. The bottom line: - Sugar Wing is betting that a homegrown NFL star can turn local pride into customer traffic and broader brand recognition.