Wingstop Wins National Award For 'Licking' Commercial

Troy Aikman commercial to take top honors at upcoming restaurant-industry conference

Nation’s Restaurant News announced that Wingstop will be awarded top honors among campaigns for companies with sales under $100 million, for their “Licking” commercial featuring Troy Aikman, Wingstop’s national spokesperson. The NRN awards for Excellence in Advertising on Television and Radio, the EAT & EAR awards, are the only honors specifically recognizing advertising excellence in the restaurant industry.

“We are excited that our campaign has been recognized on a national level,” said Andy Howard, Wingstop’s executive vice president of marketing. “Troy Aikman has been a huge asset to our organization. Since he’s become our spokesperson we’ve experienced immediate recognition in new markets and greater brand awareness in our established markets.”

The “Licking” commercial features three football aficionados watching a game at Wingstop and pondering the question, “Why do quarterbacks lick their fingers?” After spotting three-time Super Bowl champion, Troy Aikman, at the table next to them tearing into a batch of wings and licking his fingers when finished – the answer is clear.

The award categories were ranked by total system-wide sales and winners were selected on the basis of creativity, originality and effective use of the advertising medium by a panel of advertising, production, media and creative executives.

The EAT & EAR Awards presentation is scheduled for Monday, September 19th from 2 to 2:30 p.m. during the 46th Annual Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators Conference to be held in Orlando, Fla. at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. More than 800 foodservice operator executive attend MUFSO every year.

The chain offers restaurants with a nostalgic, aviation-themed atmosphere where the sole focus is on chicken wings. Wingstop features nine proprietary wing flavors, including Original Hot, Cajun, Atomic, Mild, Teriyaki, Lemon Pepper, Hawaiian, Garlic Parmesan, and our brand new Hickory Smoked BBQ. The wings are always made-to-order and served steaming-hot. Customers also choose from homemade side dishes: fresh-cut seasoned fries, bourbon baked beans, pearl potato salad, creamy cole slaw, vegetable sticks, rolls and assorted dipping sauces.

Wingstop has more than 400 restaurants either open or under development in 25 states and consistently tops industry growth rankings. This July, Wingstop was ranked number four in Restaurants & Institutions’ ‘Top 400 Sales-Growth Leaders’ (the only wing chain in the top ten). Also in July, Wingstop ranked number seven in Restaurant Business’ ‘Top 50 Growth Chains’ (ranked by percentage increase in units) and number three in their list of chains by increase in average unit volume. Troy Aikman, former Dallas Cowboy and three-time Super Bowl champion, signed on as the chain’s national spokesman in 2003.