Wingstop

Wingstop Inc.

File:Wingstop logo.svg Wingstop logo
Company type	Public
Industry	Fast casual dining, restaurant
Founded	January 1, 1994 (1994-01-01) in Garland, Texas, U.S.
Founder	Antonio Swad, Bernadette Fiaschetti
Headquarters	Addison, Texas , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Michael J. Skipworth (CEO)
Products	Chicken wings, boneless wings, tenders, fries, soft beverages
Owner	Roark Capital Group (majority owner since 2010)
Website	wingstop.com

Wingstop Inc. is a U.S.-based global dining franchise known for its buffalo-style chicken wings, with restaurants designed around an aviation motif reminiscent of the 1930s and 1940s.

Established in 1994 in Garland, Texas, Wingstop began franchising three years later in 1997. By 2025, the chain operates more than 2,500 outlets worldwide. Its corporate headquarters are located in Addison, Texas. Ownership transitioned in 2003 when Gemini Investors acquired the business, which was later sold to Roark Capital Group in 2010. Wingstop became a publicly traded company following its initial public offering in 2015.

Michael J. Skipworth serves as the company's CEO. The menu primarily consists of chicken wings, tenders, fries, and soft beverages. For fiscal year 2021, Wingstop reported revenues of US$282.5 million, with operating income reaching US$73.7 million and net income at US$42.6 million, indicating robust expansion and increased market presence within the fast-casual dining sector.

History

Wingstop was created in 1994 by Antonio Swad and Bernadette Fiaschetti in Garland, Texas. The brand’s first franchise location debuted in 1997, and by 2002, it had sold two million wings. Expansion of the menu included launching lunch service in 2005 and adding boneless wings by 2009.

From 2014 through 2016, Wingstop ranked as the third fastest-growing restaurant chain across the United States based on system-wide sales and unit growth. The company went public in 2015 with an IPO priced at $19 per share; that year saw profits more than double, underscoring strong financial momentum.

In 2019, Wingstop introduced the slogan Where Flavor Gets Its Wings and initiated nationwide delivery through DoorDash starting in Dallas, Texas. Additionally, that year marked the creation of the Wingstop Team Member Foundation—a nonprofit funded by employees to assist team members experiencing financial hardship.

On June 21, 2021, Wingstop launched ThighStop, a digital-only brand focusing exclusively on chicken thighs rather than wings as a strategic response to supply chain challenges aiming to reduce costs.

International operations

Wingstop opened its first international restaurant in Mexico in 2010. Subsequently, it expanded into London, UK, where franchises began opening from 2018 onward; there are currently 20 locations throughout Greater London. The UK franchise was initially introduced by Lemon Pepper Holdings; presently, Sixth Street—an investment firm also owning Far West Services franchises on the U.S. West Coast—holds the majority stake.

In 2021, Wingstop formed a partnership with JPK Capital to establish 100 outlets across Canada, with the first Canadian location launching in June 2022. The brand entered the Australian market with its first restaurant opening on May 17, 2025.

Menu

Wingstop’s offerings include various chicken items such as bone-in wings, boneless wings, tenders, and sandwiches. Accompanying sides feature fries, fried corn nuggets, and vegetable sticks. Customers can choose from thirteen wing sauces—including some limited-time options tied to marketing promotions—and classic dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard, and cheese sauce.

See also

• List of chicken restaurants