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TAMPA — For about three months after his son died, Randy Prince tried to keep his Wing-Stop franchise open.
But the economy was too much to overcome, and just before Thanksgiving, he closed the business he had built for his son six years ago.
"It's been a tough few months for me, but I have lots of faith in God and know I'll be okay," he said Friday.
In 1995, Prince gave up his job managing business accounts to open a Wing-Stop at 1155 S Dale Mabry Highway so his mentally disabled son would have a safe place to work for the rest of his life.
Wing-Stop offered military members a 10 percent discount and soon became a popular hangout for MacDill Air Force Base personnel. Every time they came in, Will Prince, Randy's son, was usually behind the counter.
In August, Will, 24, who had worked side-by-side with his father taking orders, frying wings and chatting up customers, died of heart failure.
Wing-Stop, which had been as much of a cause as a business to Randy, became just a job once his son died, but he hoped to keep it running since he had no other options. He blamed the recession and the increasing price of chicken for his decision to shutter the store — not the loss of his son.
He's not sure what he'll do next, though he's considering returning to accounting.
"I just couldn't make it work," he said.
Last month, a group of military members surprised Randy with an American flag flown over a camp in Afghanistan in honor of Will. The story of that gift and how Randy had sacrificed his career for his son was featured in the St. Petersburg Times on Nov. 12.
"I'm glad we did it before he shut down," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Adam H. McConnaughy, one of several people who presented the flag to Prince.
McConnaughy said he and his friends ate at Wing-Stop about three or four times a month. He discovered it closed during a visit Friday.
"Randy was great," Air Force Staff Sgt. Frank Castro said. "Will was great."
When Randy Prince learned Air Force Technical Sgt. Amanda Hendrix was deploying early last year, he handed her a $20 gift certificate before she left.
"He told me to return safely and said lunch was on him when I returned," she said.
While Prince's story touched many who e-mailed and called the Times, he said he didn't want any additional attention or assistance.
"It's not that I don't appreciate people's support," he said. "But it's not unlike what a lot of people are going through. … A lot of restaurants are closing and people are struggling. That's no different from lots of other people."
Justin George can be reached at (813) 226-3368 or jgeorge@tampabay.com.
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