Wingstop, Inc. (WING)

Wingstop's stock experienced several notable events in the past six months. The company reported its fiscal third-quarter 2025 earnings on November 4, 2025, with adjusted earnings per share surpassing analyst estimates, but revenue missing expectations. Domestic same-store sales decreased, marking its steepest decline in recent company history. Management attributed the slowdown to a broader softening of the macro environment and reduced spending by consumers, revising its full-year 2025 guidance for same-store sales to a decline. Despite these sales challenges, system-wide sales increased due to new restaurant openings. Analyst ratings have seen some adjustments.

Wingstop's demand can be influenced by macroeconomic conditions and weather. The company experienced a slowdown in sales in the first quarter of 2025, partly attributed to extreme weather events. A broader softening of the macro environment and reduced spending by consumers led to a decline in same-store sales in 2025. The company is shifting its focus to attract wealthier customers due to these market dynamics.

Wingstop, Inc. is an American international fast-food chain specializing in cooked-to-order chicken wings, boneless wings, tenders, and chicken sandwiches, operating within the fast-casual dining industry. The company focuses on its range of flavors and also features signature sides. Wingstop primarily operates on a franchised model, with most of its restaurants owned by independent franchisees.

Wingstop has a significant global presence, with over 3,000 restaurants worldwide as of November 2025, operating in 47 U.S. states and 15 countries. The company has expanded internationally, entering six new markets within two years and anticipates opening in Thailand, Italy, and Ireland. Approximately 50% of its domestic footprint is concentrated in Texas, California, Florida, and Illinois.

Wingstop has generally maintained a positive brand reputation, recognized for its flavorful wings and rapid growth. The company received recognition on Ad Age's 'Hottest Brands' list, QSR Magazine's "Best Brands to Work For," and Entrepreneur Magazine's 'Franchise 500'. The company rolled out a new brand and marketing campaign in late 2025. However, the brand's reputation has faced some challenges, with BWG Global revising its outlook on Wingstop from "Positive" to "Mixed" due to cautious consumer spending and increased competition. The decline in domestic same-store sales in Q3 2025 also reflects a challenging consumer environment.

Wingstop Inc. is a publicly traded company on NASDAQ under the ticker WING, with ownership distributed among various shareholders. Major institutional owners include BlackRock, Inc., Vanguard Group Inc, Price T Rowe Associates Inc /md/, Lone Pine Capital Llc, American Century Companies Inc, and Massachusetts Financial Services Co /ma/. The company was founded by Antonio Swad and Bernadette Fiaschetti in 1994. Tom Grogan sold most of his stake in the UK franchise in November 2025.