Wingstop, a chain that rarely adds new menu options, is doing just that.
The fast casual is debuting Orange Szechuan as a limited-time flavor option for its wings and things, adding it to its list of 11 varieties, Wingstop announced Wednesday.
“Orange Szechuan was a trending flavor request from our guests,” Chief Growth Officer Marisa Carona said in a statement. “Our unique Wingstop take on Orange Szechuan creates a sweet and spicy flavor profile inspired by the most authentic ingredients.”
Wingstop’s new flavor is a blend of spicy and sweet, made with mandarin orange, soy sauce and Szechuan peppers.
In July, Wingstop added Jamaican Jerk BBQ as a limited-time flavor to mark the addition of thighs via its Thighstop virtual brand. Bone-in thighs and boneless “thigh bites” were added to Wingstop’s regular menu in September.
Among Wingstop’s most popular flavors are Lemon Pepper, Original Hot and Hickory Smoked BBQ.
The chain often brings back limited-time flavors, but rarely adds new menu items to limit its operational complexity and labor needs.
In early November, Wingstop said it would raise its menu prices 4% to 5%, for a total of a 10% price hike this year, to account for soaring labor and food costs. The 1,461-unit fast casual typically bumps its prices 1% to 2% per year.
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