Wingstop Sales Up 2.5 Percent in First Quarter

International wing chain to reach 500 locations this year

News provided by

Apr 05, 2011, 01:24 ET

RICHARDSON, Texas, April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Wingstop announced today that same store sales for the first quarter are up 2.5 percent over the same quarter last year.

The fast-growing 480-unit chain hit the ground running this year, selling more than 5 million wings on Super Bowl Sunday – a record for the company – opening six new stores and awarding development agreements for 31 new locations since January. Additionally, the company's international spokesman, Troy Aikman, joined the Wingstop Board of Directors in February.

Wingstop will continue to break new ground in the coming months. The company will introduce a new, limited-time-only menu item in mid-April, launch its first iPhone application this summer and open its 500th location this fall.

"Last year was definitely one for the books, and 2011 is off to an even stronger start," said Jim Flynn, Wingstop CEO. "We have so many milestones on the horizon, especially opening our 500th location. I give all credit to the corporate team, our hard-working franchise system of Brand Partners and our guests for appreciating the quality of a fresh, made-to-order product."

With a sole focus on cooked-to-order chicken wings, Wingstop features traditional and boneless wings sauced and tossed in nine proprietary flavors including Original Hot, Lemon Pepper and Garlic Parmesan, and side dishes like fresh-cut, seasoned fries. The company has experienced same store sales growth for seven consecutive years and 30 of the past 31 quarters.

About Wingstop

Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Richardson, Texas, Wingstop has 480 restaurants open across the United States and Mexico. With a sole focus on chicken wings, the Wingstop menu features nine wing flavors including Original Hot, Cajun, Atomic, Mild, Teriyaki, Lemon Pepper, Hawaiian, Garlic Parmesan, and Hickory Smoked BBQ. Wings are made fresh, cooked-to-order and customers can also choose from homemade side dishes including Wingstop's award winning fresh-cut seasoned fries. Wingstop has experienced more than seven consecutive years of positive sales increases, received multiple American Business Awards, was crowned Wing King at the National Buffalo Wing Festival and has been voted 'best wings' in markets across the country. Troy Aikman, three-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame quarterback, has served as the chain's national spokesman since 2003 and recently joined the Wingstop Board of Directors. Wingstop was acquired in 2010 by Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based private equity firm that specializes in business and consumer service companies with attractive growth prospects and revenues ranging from $20 million to $1.0 billion. For more information visit wingstop.com or wingstopfranchise.com.

SOURCE Wingstop