Wingstop To Open 6 More Stores in UK Amid Positive Q2 Results

Wingstop has announced its Q2 results, and it was nothing but positive all around.

Seeking Alpha reported that the chicken chain announced impressive Q2 results, with revenue and adjusted EBITDA rising 45.3% and 50.7% year over year, respectively. This growth was fueled by robust domestic same-store sales and average unit value (AUV) per restaurant.

In order to better engage its clients and encourage repeat business, Wingstop keeps expanding its brand awareness, innovating its menu, and developing a solid digital strategy, according to the outlet. In addition, the management increased its forecast for domestic same-store sales to increase 20% YoY while anticipating the opening of over 293 new locations in FY24.

On top of this positive outlook, Wingstop has announced that it will be expanding its presence abroad, with six more restaurants set to open in the United Kingdom.

According to The Evening Standard, Wingstop announced on Monday, Aug. 19, that it will build six more locations this year, creating 300 new jobs. Specifically, the company plans to open new restaurants in Crawley, Ealing, Manchester, Lakeside, Whitechapel, and Walthamstow.

Positioned as a high-end substitute for KFC, the fast-food fried chicken chain has drawn the attention of celebrities, such as the rapper Stormzy.

2018 saw the opening of the first Wingstop location in the United Kingdom by Lemon Pepper Holdings, the company’s master franchisee in the UK. It has already expanded to 50 restaurants, with the 50th one set to open in Bolton, England, on Monday.

In addition to adding 60 new jobs to the community of Bolton, Wingstop is giving away free chicken wings to the first 100 guests at this new location.

“Today is a significant day for Wingstop UK as we celebrate the incredible achievement of opening our 50th location in just under six years,” said Chris Sherriff, co-chief executive of Lemon Pepper Holdings. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to see so many individuals progress, taking on new challenges and advancing within the company.”

Antonio Swad, an entrepreneur, started Wingstop in 1994. The company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The chain claims to have served 2 million wings over the years and currently has more than 2,200 franchise sites globally. The U.S. business owns a small portion of Lemon Pepper Holdings.