Wingstop (WING) Fell Along with the Broader Restaurant Industry

Core Insights - Artisan Partners' "Artisan Small Cap Fund" reported strong performance in Q3 2025, with major US indices reaching record highs and the fund's Investor Class returning 8.69% [1] - Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) was highlighted as a detractor in the fund's performance, with a one-month return of -8.55% and a 52-week decline of 28.93% [2][3] - Despite challenges, Wingstop's quarterly results exceeded expectations, and the company is optimistic about growth initiatives, including smart kitchen technology and a loyalty program set to launch in 2026 [3] Fund Performance - The Artisan Small Cap Fund's Investor Class fund ARTSX returned 8.69%, Advisor Class fund APDSX returned 8.75%, and Institutional Class fund APHSX returned 8.73% in Q3 2025 [1] - The Russell 2000 Growth Index outperformed the fund with a return of 12.19% during the same period [1] Wingstop Inc. Overview - Wingstop's stock closed at $232.89 on November 14, 2025, with a market capitalization of $6.482 billion [2] - The company's total revenue in Q3 increased by 8.1% year-over-year to $175.7 million [4] - Wingstop is not among the top 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 47 hedge fund portfolios holding its stock at the end of Q2 2025, up from 39 in the previous quarter [4] Growth Initiatives - Wingstop is implementing smart kitchen technology that has reportedly reduced customer service wait times by 40%, enhancing operational efficiency [3] - The planned loyalty program for 2026 aims to improve customer engagement and encourage repeat business [3]