Wingstop

WING · EST. 1994 · Dallas, Texas

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US UNITS2,4002025 record · QSR Pro estimates

GLOBAL UNITS2,3002025 record · QSR Pro estimates

FRANCHISED %98%2025 record · QSR Pro estimates

FRANCHISE REQUIREMENTSView source notes ↓Figures, scope and source dates

01Our Coverage

12 STORIES

Latest

Wingstop retrains restaurants as its sales outlook weakens

Wingstop describes systemwide training and coaching, while acquired restaurants add costs to its company-owned portfolio.

Oct 29, 2026

Wingstop’s Franchise Revenue Gain Shows What New Stores OffsetSep 15, 2026 Wingstop's Digital-First Playbook: Can 70% Digital Sales Reshape QSR Unit Economics?Mar 28, 2026 Restaurant Growth Stocks Hit a Wall: Inside the Late-February 2026 SelloffMar 24, 2026 KFC's American Decline: How the Original Chicken Chain Fell to Fifth PlaceMar 24, 2026 The Great Restaurant Stock Divergence: Why CAVA and Wingstop Trade at Premium Multiples While Legacy Chains StallMar 24, 2026 Dave's Hot Chicken and Roark Capital: A Billion-Dollar Bet on Becoming the Next WingstopMar 24, 2026 Wingstop's Growth Paradox: Record Unit Openings Meet the Brand's First Same-Store Sales Decline in 22 YearsMar 24, 2026 Wingstop Beat Q4 Estimates by 20%. Now It's Betting on Smart Kitchens and a Loyalty Program.Mar 24, 2026 Wingstop's 10,000-Unit Vision: Inside the Fastest-Growing Wing Chain's Global PlaybookMar 24, 2026 The Fried Chicken Boom: Why Chicken Chains Are Adding 750+ New Locations in 2026Mar 24, 2026 How to Open a Wingstop FranchiseMar 21, 2026

02About the Brand

Chicken wing restaurant specializing in various wing flavors

FIG 1 — US UNIT COUNT, 2019–2025

1,193

2019

1,344

2020

1,483

2021

1,719

2022

1,917

2023

2,086

2024

2,400

2025

RECORD YEARS AND SOURCE LABELS BELOW

Records can refer to different reporting dates within a year. Estimates are identified in the source labels; these records are not a like-for-like growth calculation.

2019: QSR Pro estimates
2020: QSR Pro estimates
2021: QSR Pro estimates
2022: QSR Pro estimates
2023: QSR Pro estimates
2024: QSR Pro estimates
2025: QSR Pro estimates

Franchise Requirements

Availability and model

Territories are limited and market-dependent. Capital requirements can exceed the stated minimums.

United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor

Wingstop US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).

Operating commitment

Wingstop requires multi-unit restaurant ownership and development experience, plus hands-on involvement and required training.

United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor

Wingstop US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).

Initial investment / development estimate: $298,200–$1,013,500
US franchise-page initial investment estimate
The page’s March 2025 FDD footnote describes sales-performance evidence; it does not date this investment estimate.
Wingstop US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Initial franchise fee: $25,000
US published franchise fee
Wingstop US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Separate development fee: $25,000
US published development fee; separate from franchise fee
Wingstop US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Liquid capital / personal funds: $2,100,000
Minimum total liquid assets
May rise with market evaluation and ownership level.
Wingstop US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Net worth: $5,000,000
Minimum total net worth
May rise with market evaluation and ownership level.
Wingstop US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Royalty / service fee: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
Wingstop US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Advertising / marketing contribution: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
Wingstop US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).

Full cost guide and sources →Official Wingstop website

Segment Peers

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