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Wingstop sees advantage in commodity deflationWingstop sees advantage in commodity deflation

Prices of bone-in wings nearly half of last year’s record highs, CEO Michael Skipworth says

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

May 4, 2022

4 Min Read
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While many restaurant brands wrestled with commodity inflation in the first quarter, Wingstop Inc. benefited from lower chicken wing price in the period, executives said Wednesday.

The Dallas-based fast-casual brand, which released earnings for the first quarter ended March 26, saw prices for bone-in wings at nearly half the level of last year, said Michael Skipworth, who assumed the Wingstop CEO and president positions in March.

“We find ourselves in a unique position in 2022,” Skipworth told analysts on an earnings call. “While most in our industry are facing inflationary headwinds and margin pressures, we anticipate significant deflation in our core commodity – bone-in wings.”

The spot market for bone-in wings is now at $1.64 a pound, he...

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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