Thinking of diving into the fast-casual food space? If you’re serious about investing in a restaurant franchise with proven success, the Wingstop franchise should be high on your radar. With its mouth-watering wings, signature flavors, and highly optimized operations, the Wingstop franchise offers one of the best ROI opportunities in today’s food business.
Whether you’re new to the restaurant world or an experienced entrepreneur looking to add a strong QSR brand to your portfolio, this guide will break down everything you need to know about the Wingstop franchise – from costs and revenue to support and FAQs.
Franchise Brand Details
| Brand Name: Wingstop Franchise Founder: Antonio Swad Founded: 1994, Garland, Texas, United States President: Michael J. Skipworth Number of locations: 2,500+ as of May 2025 Number of employees: 4,000 (2021) Headquarters: Dallas, Texas, United States |
What is the Wingstop Franchise?
The Wingstop franchise is a fast-casual chicken restaurant known for its made-to-order wings, tenders, crispy fries, and flavorful sauces. Founded in 1994 in Garland, Texas, Wingstop has grown into a global brand with over 2,500 locations and a reputation for consistent growth, digital innovation, and loyal customer base.
What makes the Wingstop franchise unique is its simple menu, focus on delivery/digital sales, and extremely efficient operations.
In fact, Wingstop has embraced digital orders faster than many of its competitors, with more than 65% of its orders now coming through digital channels.
Wingstop Franchise Formats
There is a single restaurant model offered for the Wingstop franchise, focusing on:
- Chicken wings and boneless tenders
- Signature sides like Voodoo Fries, Cajun Fried Corn
- House-made ranch and signature sauces
- Small-format stores (1,300–2,000 sq. ft.)
Some international markets (like the UK) offer dine-in and expanded menus, but the U.S. model stays lean and delivery-forward.
Wingstop Franchise Investment Breakdown
Investing in a Wingstop franchise is affordable compared to many full-service restaurants but requires a strong financial base.
| Category | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee (per store) | $20,000 |
| Development Fee (multi-unit) | $10,000/store |
| Total Initial Investment Range | $315,000 – $775,000 |
| Required Net Worth | $1.2 million |
| Required Liquid Capital | $600,000 |
Note: Wingstop requires new franchisees to commit to opening at least 3 locations.
Royalty and Ongoing Fees
As a Wingstop franchise partner, you’ll be expected to pay the following ongoing fees:
- Royalty Fee: 6% of gross sales (staggered lower in early years)
- Advertising Fund: 4% of gross sales
- Local Store Marketing: ~1% (encouraged, sometimes required)
These fees go toward national marketing, app support, tech infrastructure, and more.
Earnings and Profit Potential
One of the biggest selling points of the Wingstop franchise is its profitability.
According to Wingstop’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD):
- Average Unit Volume (AUV): $1.8 million
- Top 25% performing stores: $2.3 million+
- Bottom 25%: $550,000 – $800,000
- EBITDA margin (average): ~15–20%
If managed well, a single Wingstop franchise can deliver $250,000–$350,000 in net profit annually. For multi-unit operators, this scales quickly.
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Global Growth and Expansion
Wingstop is on fire.
- 2,500+ total restaurants globally
- Targeting 7,000+ global restaurants in the next 7 years
- Same-store sales growth: 20%+ in Q1 2024
- International markets: UK, Mexico, Indonesia, UAE, Saudi Arabia
The Wingstop franchise is rapidly expanding in the U.S. and globally due to the simplicity of its model and rising demand for flavored wings.
Wingstop Franchise Support
Franchisees are backed with one of the strongest support programs in the industry.
Site Selection & Build-Out
- Real estate and site research
- Lease negotiation assistance
- Architectural guidance
Training
- 32+ hours of classroom training
- 139+ hours of in-store/on-site training
- Ongoing franchise webinars, conventions, and LMS tools
Marketing & Tech
- Access to national TV, radio, and digital campaigns
- Social media, email marketing, and loyalty programs
- Integrated POS & delivery systems
Operational Support
- Dedicated franchise business consultant
- Analytics dashboards
- Weekly performance coaching
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Ideal Franchisee Profile
Wondering if the Wingstop franchise is right for you?
Here’s what the company looks for:
- Strong business or operations background
- Minimum capital of $600K (liquid)
- Net worth of $1.2M+
- Passion for hospitality and operations
- Commitment to opening 3+ units
- Ability to hire and manage a high-performing team
Advantages of Owning a Wingstop Franchise
1. Brand Power
Wingstop is a recognized global brand with loyal customers, social media buzz, and a craveable product.
2. High AUVs
Most QSR brands average $1M/store. Wingstop blows that away with $1.8M+ AUV.
3. Streamlined Operations
No grills, no fryers for burgers. Simple kitchen = faster output, easier training.
4. Digital-First Model
Wingstop’s digital sales exceeded 65%, driving lower labor costs and higher throughput.
5. Support
From site selection to marketing, the Wingstop team supports franchisees at every step.
Challenges of a Wingstop Franchise
No business is perfect. Here are a few things to consider:
- High financial requirements (net worth & multi-unit)
- Competitive food space (Popeyes, KFC, Buffalo Wild Wings)
- Requires strong operational execution to meet margins
- Supply chain dependency on fresh chicken wings
Still, the brand’s success rate and franchisee satisfaction remain extremely high.
Final Thoughts
The Wingstop franchise is one of the most exciting fast-casual brands of the last decade. With a hyper-focused menu, incredible average unit volumes, a strong digital backbone, and a franchisee-first support model, it stands out in a sea of crowded QSR options.
If you have the financial strength, business acumen, and passion for food entrepreneurship, owning a Wingstop franchise could be your next big success story.
Whether you’re an experienced operator or a first-time multi-unit investor, Wingstop has the tools, team, and track record to help you fly.
FAQs: Wingstop Franchise
Between $315,000 to $775,000 per location. You must open a minimum of 3 units.
It’s $20,000 per store + $10,000 development fee per store.
On average, franchisees earn $250K–$350K/year per unit, depending on performance.
Preferred but not mandatory. Strong business skills, financial stability, and team-building ability are key.
Yes. Wingstop is expanding globally. You’ll need to meet different capital and development criteria depending on the country.
