Wingstop

Leadership

Wingstop’s CEO took a small pay cut in 2020

Charlie Morrison’s $6 million pay package included $2 million in bonuses, thanks to the wing chain’s strong pandemic performance.

Financing

These are the 10 fastest growing chains in the U.S.

Large chains dominated the list of the quickest growing concepts, according to the Technomic Top 500, as the pandemic favored big chains over small chains.

The chain’s same-store sales rose 21% in the first quarter, completing a remarkable year. But its performance was improving long before quarantine, says RB's The Bottom Line.

RB’s The Bottom Line examines which fast-food restaurants won, and which ones lost, during a pandemic-laden year. Pizza chains like Domino's and Papa John's, and chicken wing chains like Wingstop, did best in 2020.

The fast casual is feeling the heat from greater demand for chicken wings. But the chain is putting stock in its belief the uptick is pandemic-fueled and temporary, rather than a long-term concern.

Despite (or because of) the pandemic, the chicken wing brand saw record growth, reporting $2 billion in systemwide sales for the year.

The fast-casual wing brand put the pieces in place for digital transformation just before crisis landed at its doorstep.

Long cast aside for chicken breasts and wings, operators are suddenly shining a spotlight on the dark meat.

The move is designed to protect the chain from the volatility of the chicken wing market.

The wing chain reported same-store sales up more than 25% for the latest quarter, according to preliminary financial results.

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