CHAIN CHAMPIONS 2025: Wingstop spreads wings across the UK

Wingstop UK is planning its biggest rollout of new sites yet this year, with 16 new locations confirmed so far, following the appointment of Adrian Saunders as its new head of acquisitions in September last year.

So far this year, dine-in restaurants have opened in Swansea and Newcastle, with Lakeside, Streatham and Leeds Cardigan Fields, as well a further delivery kitchen in Brighton, set to open soon.

Following a landmark year of openings in 2024, having opened 18 new locations, Wingstop UK currently operates 59 sites in the UK and employs over 2,500 people.

The new sites are expected to create hundreds of additional jobs.

Adrian Saunders has considerable experience in restaurant site expansions, having led the acquisition of approximately 90 restaurants for The Restaurant Group, including Frankie & Benny’s and Chiquito locations.

He also oversaw Wagamama’s acquisition of 45 prime high street and shopping centre sites, including its first New York City location. In 2024, the brand also held its number one spot for the most ordered dish on Deliveroo across the country.

Chris Sherriff, Wingstop UK CEO, also noted that “2024 has been a landmark year for Wingstop UK, marked by record site openings, a new flagship location in Westfield Stratford in London, and industry accolades.”

Wingstop UK has also seen continued expansion and popularity in London, where it has 27 restaurants and delivery kitchens. The brand recently revealed plans to open its first store in Liverpool this spring.

Marking the first F&B signing of the year at Liverpool One, the 3,000 square foot unit on Lord Street will have space for more than 50 covers.

The business also opened its first store of the year and second store in Wales recently in Swansea.

The brand’s UK franchise operation was recently sold to US investment company, Sixth Street, as the rapidly-growing QSR chain aims to continue its rollout across the country.

A statement confirmed the US firm will invest more than £400 million in Lemon Pepper Holdings, the operator of the Wingstop franchise in the UK and Ireland, Bloomberg reported.