Barriers come down in Liverpool ONE ahead of Wingstop opening

The newly-transformed unit was revealed this morning

American fast food giant Wingstop has unveiled its first ever Liverpool restaurant after months in the works. The Dallas-born franchise specialises in spicy buffalo wings, with a broader menu of crispy chicken burgers, loaded fries, tenders, and boneless wings in a choice of 10 distinct flavours.

Barriers were set up around the 3,000-square-foot unit on Lord Street, between Caffe Nero and Tortilla, last month. Formerly Laser Clinics UK, the newly-transformed unit was revealed this morning, illuminated in Wingstop's signature green. Renovation work remains ongoing inside, where screens advertising the restaurant's menu are already running.

The restaurant will have capacity for around 50 customers, and will operate between 10am and midnight Sunday to Thursday, and 10am to 2am Friday to Saturday, according to Liverpool City Council.

Preparations began in October last year, when a number of local Wingstop job advertisements appeared on the online recruitment website Indeed. The news was officially announced in February, with an opening date listed for spring 2024.

Chris Sherriff, CEO at Wingstop UK, said: “Wingstop UK has expanded significantly over the last year, and our new Liverpool One restaurant will be a crucial continuation of that growth.

"We’re excited to bring our iconic wing flavours to a new city, and with its leading mix of F&B operators, Liverpool One is the perfect home.”

Rob Deacon, asset management director at Liverpool ONE, said: "Having celebrated a phenomenal festive period, we are now looking ahead to the year of firsts that will be 2025. Wingstop’s city debut is a great example of the sustained demand among leading brands to share in Liverpool ONE’s continued success."

It follows a period of significant growth for the brand, which opened 18 new sites across the UK in 2024. There are plans for further expansion this year, as bosses announced aims to open 20 new sites. Confirmed sites including Swansea, Newcastle, Lakeside, Streatham and a kitchen delivery site in Brighton.

Mr Sherriff said: "This year, we are poised for even greater growth, with plans to expand into new regions and create hundreds of jobs. Thank you to the brilliant work of all our employees who drive us to keep growing, whilst providing a personalised and authentic experience to wing-lovers up and down the country.

"There is huge momentum, and we can’t wait to bring our flavours to more areas across the UK.”