Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) is one of the 13 Best Fast Food Stocks to Buy. On December 15, Jefferies reiterated its Buy rating on Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) with a price target of $350 after meeting with the company’s CEO, Michael Skipworth, CFO Alex Kaleida, and President of International, Raj Kapoor, during investor meetings in Australia. The meetings included a visit to Wingstop Inc.’s (NASDAQ:WING) first location in Sydney. Jefferies pointed out that the location in Sydney is “performing very well” ...

Core Insights - Wingstop has achieved a significant milestone by opening its 3,000th restaurant globally, aiming to become a top 10 global restaurant brand with a long-term goal of over 10,000 locations [1][2] Expansion and Growth - The company has scaled from 2,000 to 3,000 restaurants in just over two years, with nearly 800 new locations opened since 2023 and a 50% increase in international presence [2] - Wingstop is now operating in 47 US states and 15 international markets, with plans for openings in Thailand, Italy, and Ireland [3] - The growth has been primarily driven by existing franchise operators, with over 70 brand partners expanding their number of outlets in Q3 2025 [3] Menu and Financial Performance - Wingstop's menu includes cooked-to-order classic and boneless wings, tenders, chicken sandwiches, sides, and housemade dips [4] - For fiscal 2024, the company reported system-wide sales of $5 billion [4] Future Plans - The company plans to expand its presence in Canada with three new restaurants in Calgary by 2026, following its entry into Ontario in 2022 [5] - Wingstop is testing an AI-driven kitchen operations platform to enhance service efficiency and simplify tasks for back-of-house staff [5]

Core Insights - Wingstop has achieved a significant milestone by opening its 3,000th restaurant globally, marking a step towards its goal of becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand with over 10,000 locations worldwide [1][4]. Expansion and Growth - The company opened nearly 800 restaurants and expanded its global footprint by 50% in just two years, entering six new markets: Australia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, and The Netherlands [2]. - Wingstop operates in 47 U.S. states and 15 countries, with plans to open in Thailand, Italy, and Ireland soon [2]. Business Performance - Wingstop's President & CEO, Michael Skipworth, highlighted the company's rapid growth from 2,000 to 3,000 restaurants in just over two years, indicating strong domestic and international business potential [3]. - The company has a record pipeline of sold restaurant commitments and has seen strong interest from existing franchisees, with over 70 brand partners expanding their footprint in the last quarter [3]. Financial Overview - Wingstop reported approximately $5 billion in system-wide sales for fiscal 2024 and has achieved 21 consecutive years of same-store sales growth [4].

Core Insights - Wingstop Inc. reported strong financial results for the fiscal second quarter of 2025, showcasing significant growth in unit openings and sales metrics [1][2][3] Financial Performance - Total revenue increased to $174.3 million, up from $155.7 million in the prior year, representing a 12.0% growth [5][7] - System-wide sales rose by 13.9% to $1.34 billion, driven by new restaurant openings and increased sales [7][16] - Net income decreased by 2.6% to $26.8 million, with adjusted net income increasing by 1.6% to $27.9 million [7][29] - Adjusted EBITDA grew by 14.3% to $59.2 million, reflecting improved operational efficiency [7][34] Operational Highlights - The company opened 129 net new restaurants, achieving a 19.8% growth in units, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of over 100 net openings [3][11] - The total number of system-wide restaurants reached 2,818, with 2,357 domestic franchise locations and 407 international franchise locations [4][11] - Domestic average unit volume (AUV) increased to $2.1 million, while domestic same-store sales decreased by 1.9% [4][7] Cost Management - Cost of sales was $24.4 million, with a decrease in the cost of sales as a percentage of company-owned restaurant sales to 75.2% from 75.9% [6][31] - Selling, general & administrative expenses rose to $32.9 million, primarily due to increased headcount and system implementation costs [8][29] Dividend Announcement - The board of directors approved an increase in the quarterly dividend from $0.27 to $0.30 per share, totaling approximately $8.4 million to be paid on September 5, 2025 [12]

Group 1 - Wingstop Inc. is expanding its support for communities affected by natural disasters in Texas, matching contributions up to $1 million for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund [1][2] - The company will launch Family Flavor Day on July 15, donating 15% of sales from all Texas locations to the American Red Cross, and will match donations made through the Round-Up campaign and Family Flavor Day, up to $500,000 [2] - Wingstop's President & CEO, Michael Skipworth, expressed the company's commitment to supporting Texas communities and first responders during these challenging times [3] Group 2 - In fiscal year 2024, Wingstop's system-wide sales increased by 36.8% to approximately $4.8 billion, marking the 21st consecutive year of same-store sales growth [5] - The company aims to become a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand and operates over 2,650 locations worldwide, with independent franchisees accounting for approximately 98% of its total restaurant count [5] - Wingstop has received multiple accolades, including a spot on Ad Age's 'Hottest Brands' list and recognition as one of QSR Magazine's "Best Brands to Work For" [6]

Company Overview - Wingstop Inc. operates and franchises over 2,650 locations globally, focusing on providing a unique guest experience with a technology-driven platform and a diverse menu featuring wings, tenders, and chicken sandwiches [4] - The company aims to become a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand, with approximately 98% of its restaurants being operated by independent franchisees [5] Financial Performance - In fiscal year 2024, Wingstop's system-wide sales rose by 36.8% to around $4.8 billion, marking the 21st consecutive year of same-store sales growth [5] Recognition and Awards - Wingstop was listed on Ad Age's 'Hottest Brands' list in 2024 and recognized by QSR Magazine as one of the "Best Brands to Work For" [6] - The company was also acknowledged by Fast Company as one of the "Most Innovative Companies" and ranked 14 on Entrepreneur Magazine's 'Franchise 500' [6]

Core Insights - Wingstop Inc. reported a record 126 net new openings in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, achieving an 18% net new unit growth compared to the same period in fiscal 2024 [1][3] - The company demonstrated resilience in its business model despite macroeconomic challenges, with a strong pipeline of franchise development and industry-leading returns for brand partners [3][4] Financial Performance - Total revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased to $171.1 million, up from $145.8 million in the prior year, representing a 17.4% growth [5][8] - System-wide sales rose by 15.7% to $1.3 billion, driven by new restaurant openings and same-store sales growth [8][22] - Net income surged 221% to $92.3 million, or $3.24 per diluted share, compared to $28.7 million in the same quarter last year [8][38] Operational Metrics - The number of system-wide restaurants increased to 2,689, with 2,250 domestic franchise restaurants and 388 international franchise restaurants [4][14] - Domestic average unit volume (AUV) rose to $2.1 million, reflecting strong sales performance [8][18] - Digital sales accounted for 72% of system-wide sales, indicating a significant shift towards online ordering [8] Cost and Expenses - Cost of sales increased to $22.8 million, with a margin of 76.0% of company-owned restaurant sales, up from 74.5% in the prior year [6][40] - Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses rose to $31.4 million, driven by increased headcount and system implementation costs [7][8] Shareholder Returns - The board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share, totaling approximately $7.5 million, to be paid on June 6, 2025 [15] - The company repurchased a total of 868,527 shares under an accelerated share repurchase agreement at an average price of $287.84 per share [16][17] Future Outlook - The company provided updated guidance for fiscal 2025, indicating expectations for continued growth in same-store sales and unit expansion, while acknowledging the unpredictable macro-environment [13][19]

Core Insights - Wingstop is launching its house-made ranch dressing for sale, responding to customer demand for bottled ranch [2] - The company is celebrating National Ranch Day by offering free ranch to customers and hosting an auction for a year's worth of ranch refills [2][3] - Proceeds from the auction will benefit Wingstop Charities, which focuses on community service [3] Company Overview - Wingstop was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Dallas, TX, operating over 2,500 locations globally [5] - The company specializes in wings, tenders, and chicken sandwiches, offering 12 distinct flavors and signature sides [5] Financial Performance - In fiscal year 2024, Wingstop's system-wide sales increased by 36.8% to approximately $4.8 billion, marking 21 consecutive years of same-store sales growth [6] Industry Recognition - Wingstop was recognized on Ad Age's 'Hottest Brands' list and ranked 14 on Entrepreneur Magazine's 'Franchise 500' [7] - The company also received accolades as one of QSR Magazine's "Best Brands to Work For" and earned a "Best Places to Work" certification in 2023 [7]