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Attributed the first same-store sales decline in 22 years to persistent macro pressures on lower-income core consumers, despite 12% system-wide sales growth.
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Completed the national rollout of Wingstop Smart Kitchen across all domestic restaurants in under 10 months, shifting focus from installation to operational execution.
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Identified a significant ‘demand space’ gap, currently capturing only 2% of a potential 20% share of off-premise occasions involving high-quality, made-to-order meals.
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Leveraged corporate-owned restaurants as a proof of concept, achieving $2.5 million AUVs and mid-20% margins by consistently delivering 10-minute service times.
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Restructured the leadership team, including reinstating the COO role and creating a Commercial Team, to streamline decision-making for the next phase of global scaling.
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Reported record-breaking Super Bowl performance with 100,000 new guest acquisitions in one day, signaling brand health despite a choppy consumer environment.
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Expanded the international footprint with six new markets in 2025, utilizing a proven entry playbook that yields AUVs higher than the U.S. average.
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Projecting a return to positive same-store sales growth in 2026, guided at flat to low single digits as strategic initiatives gain traction.
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Anticipating 15% to 16% global unit growth, supported by a pipeline of 2,300 restaurant commitments and a long-term goal of 10,000 units.
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Scheduled the national launch of ‘Club Wingstop’ loyalty program for the end of Q2 2026, targeting a 7% frequency lift based on pilot data.
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Planning entry into the Indian market in 2026, which management views as a long-term opportunity for over 1,000 restaurants.
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Expects the first half of 2026 unit openings to be lighter due to brand partners voluntarily retooling construction plans for a new restaurant refresh design.
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Acknowledged a disconnect between internal kitchen speed improvements and external delivery times, requiring closer collaboration with third-party aggregators.
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Noted that winter storms in early 2026 caused temporary closures of over 700 restaurants, creating a headwind for Q1 performance.
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Included $3 million in restructuring charges in the 2026 SG&A guidance related to organizational leadership changes.
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Reported a 40 basis point increase in cannibalization during 2025, though management characterized this as a strategic ‘fortressing’ of mature markets.
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