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Wingstop tests chicken sandwich in 60 restaurantsWingstop tests chicken sandwich in 60 restaurants

Four-market pilot started Monday and offers 11 flavor options

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

May 16, 2022

1 Min Read
Wingstop Tests Chicken Sandwich May 2022
Wingstop Inc. on Monday launched a 60-unit test of a new chicken sandwich across four markets. The suggested price is $5.49.Wingstop Inc.

Wingstop Inc. is testing a new chicken sandwich in 60 restaurants over four markets, the company said Monday.

The announcement came a day before the chicken wing concept was scheduled to hold an investors’ day Tuesday at its headquarters in Dallas.

The 60 restaurants offering the new sandwich for a limited time were in: Columbus, Ohio; Fresno, Calif.; Las Vegas, Nev.; and Orlando, Fla.

The suggested price for the sandwich alone is $5.49. As combo, with fries, drink and a dip, the suggested price is $7.99.

The wing chain was using its selection of flavors to distinguish the chicken-breast sandwich from competitors, offering the protein with 11 options. It was being served on a toasted bun and with a pickle.

The company also suggested dunking the sandwich in the brand’s signature ranch dressing.

“The Wingstop Chicken Sandwich can be hand sauced-and-tossed in fans’ favorite flavors, ranging from sweet to super spicy, and everything in between,” a spokesperson said.

The company in the four test markets was offering a limited-time promotion of a free sandwich for delivery orders via its website or on the Wingstop smartphone app.

For the first quarter ended March 26, Wingstop’s net income fell to $8.7 million, or 29 cents per share, from $13.2 million, or 44 cents per share, in the prior-year period. Sales increased to $630 million from $558.9 million in the same quarter last year.

Wingstop’s domestic same-store sales increased 1.2% in the quarter.

As of March 26, Wingstop had 1,791 restaurants systemwide. That included 1,588 restaurants in the United States, of which 1,551 were franchised and 37 were company-owned, and 203 franchised restaurants in international markets.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

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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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