A US fried chicken chain that’s ‘more popular than KFC‘ will open another 20 branches in the UK this year.
The fast food outlet is known for its buffalo chicken wings and cheesy fries – even Stormzy is a fan.
Wingstop currently has 57 sites across the UK and has revealed the location of six of the 20 branches to open this year.
These will include dine-in restaurants in Swansea, Newcastle, Lakeside shopping centre in Essex, Streatham in south London and Cardigan Fields in Leeds.
The fast food chain will also open a kitchen in Brighton that will be used for takeaway deliveries.
Wingstop first came to the UK in 2018 after British entrepreneurs Tom Grogan, Herman Sahota and Saul Lewin opened their first store in central London.
They recently sold their business to California-based private equity firm Sixth Street for £400 million in one of the biggest take-overs deals for a restaurant brand in Britain.
The company currently employs 2,500 staff and is the fastest-growing restaurant brand in the UK.
Wingstop first came to the UK in 2018 after British entrepreneurs Tom Grogan, Herman Sahota and Saul Lewin opened their first store in central London
In a TripAdvisor review, one customer said: ‘Wingstop is so much better than most ordinary KFC because it’s more than a meal, it’s a flavour experience’
The company currently employs 2,500 staff and is the fastest-growing restaurant brand in the UK. The Cardiff branch is pictured
The US chain of restaurants was founded in Texas in 1994 with restaurants decorated with an aviation theme.
The US chain of restaurants was founded in Texas in 1994 with restaurants decorated with an aviation theme.
Recent figures released by Deliveroo revealed that Wingstop has become one of the UK’s most popular fast food providers – with its option of eight boneless wings the nation’s bestselling dish and ranked second worldwide.
In a TripAdvisor review, one customer said: ‘Wingstop is so much better than most ordinary KFC, because it’s more than a meal, it’s a flavour experience.’
As well as chicken wings, the chain’s menu also includes chicken tenders, boneless chicken, burgers, churros, loaded fries, combos and platters.
And for each chicken option, there’s a choice of flavours — Ranch, Blue Cheese, Lemon Pepper, Mango Habanero, Louisiana Rub, Atomic, Brazilian Citrus Pepper, Hickory Smoked BBQ, Hawaiian, Garlic Parmesean, Spicy Korean Q, or Honey-Mustard.
The chicken wars have been simmering for years and flared up in 2019 after Popeyes launched a fried chicken sandwich.
Its popularity grew after Chick-fil-A claimed the sandwich was originally its idea.
By 2020, fast food chains like Fatburger and Wendy’s joined the war with their own chicken sandwiches.
As well as chicken wings, the chain’s menu also includes chicken tenders, boneless chicken, burgers, churros, loaded fries, combos and platters
The boom in Wingstop UK has coincided with the popularity of YouTube shows, such as Hot Ones where celebrities eat spicy wings while being interviewed
Wingstop currently has 57 sites across the UK and has revealed the location of six of the 20 branches to open this year. Bradford Wingstop is pictured
Other chains to add chicken sandwiches to their menus included Shake Shack, McDonald’s and Burger King.
This comes as British high streets have seen an influx of American fast food restaurants opening.
The Sun first reported that US chain Chick-fil-a will launch in Leeds, Liverpool and London this year.
The boom in Wingstop UK has coincided with the popularity of YouTube shows, such as Hot Ones where celebrities eat spicy wings while being interviewed.
The rapid expansion of the chain is set to continue and Sixth Street aim to have 200 sites by 2029 and will acquire a majority stake in Lemon Pepper Holdings, which operates Wingstop in the UK and Ireland.
