Wingstop reports end-of-year sales and growth figures

Wingstop announced today 2005 year-end sales and growth figures. The chicken-wing-only chain’s comp store sales increased 4.8 percent in 2005 on top of a 14.1 percent increase from 2004. Fourth quarter of 2005 marked Wingstop’s 10th consecutive quarter of comp store sales increases. Wingstop’s system-wide sales increased 32.3 percent from $89.5 million in 2004 to $118.5 million in 2005. The company’s new store openings grew by 29.3 percent from 208 units that were opened by year end 2004 to 269 units opened by year end 2005.

In 2005, 120 development agreements were signed and the rapidly-growing chain expects to open an additional 80 stores in 2006.

Wingstop offers restaurants with a nostalgic, aviation-themed atmosphere where the sole focus is on chicken wings. The chain now serves boneless wings that are made from 100 percent all-white meat chicken breast coated with a proprietary batter and breading. Wingstop features nine wing flavors, including Original Hot, Cajun, Atomic, Mild, Teriyaki, Lemon Pepper, Hawaiian, Garlic Parmesan, and 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 450 restaurants either open or under development in 26 states and consistently tops industry growth rankings. Wingstop was chosen Festival Favorite Restaurant at the 2005 National Buffalo Wing Festival and their Cajun sauce took first place honors for the Best Creative Spicy Sauce in the festival’s blind taste test. In July 2005, Wingstop ranked number 13 in Restaurant Business’ Top 50 Growth Chains (ranked by percentage increase in units) and was ranked the number one chicken wing chain by Entrepreneur magazine in 2005. Troy Aikman, former Dallas Cowboy and three-time Super Bowl champion, signed on as the chain’s national spokesman in 2003.