The US chicken wing chain is expanding internationally despite a 5.4 per cent decline in domestic same-store sales in the third quarter, with India emerging as a key growth market
US-based chicken wing chain Wingstop plans to enter India by early 2027, identifying the country as a potential market for 1,000 restaurants. The proposed entry comes amid pressure on its domestic business, with same-store sales declining in the US during the third quarter, even as the company continues to expand internationally.
“India, which is a 1,000-restaurant opportunity, is our next market and is anticipated to open by early 2027,” Michael J. Skipworth, president and chief executive officer of Wingstop, said during the company’s third-quarter earnings call.
Wingstop has more than 2,300 restaurant commitments across international markets. It opened 21 restaurants internationally during the quarter, taking its international network to 544 outlets, an increase of more than 27 per cent year on year. The company has entered eight new markets over the past 18 months.
The chain has also opened flagship restaurants in Thailand, Spain and Italy, and marked the opening of its 100th restaurant in the UK in August.
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Wingstop specialises in made-to-order chicken wings tossed in a variety of sauces and flavours. The company reported a net profit of USD 174 million in 2025, up 60 per cent year on year, on revenue of USD 697 million, an increase of 11.4 per cent.
Weak US Sales Put Focus On Recovery
Wingstop’s India plans come at a time when the company is working to revive sales at established restaurants in its home market. Same-store sales at domestic restaurants fell 5.4 per cent in the third quarter, reflecting the challenges facing its US business.
Despite the decline, the company continued to add restaurants globally, opening 76 net new outlets during the quarter. System-wide sales rose 6 per cent to approximately USD 1.4 billion, while revenue from royalties, franchise fees and other sources increased 6.3 per cent to USD 86.3 million.
The company’s expansion strategy relies on restaurant-level economics, disciplined market planning and opportunities in markets where its presence remains limited. Wingstop said its current restaurant-level model supports unlevered cash-on-cash returns of approximately 60 per cent, helping sustain investment from franchise partners.
However, the company lowered its full-year 2026 forecast for domestic same-store sales to a decline of 6.5–7 per cent. It also revised its projection for global net restaurant openings to 440–450 outlets, implying unit growth of 14.4–14.7 per cent.
Wingstop plans to increase marketing investment to support its domestic sales recovery while continuing to expand its restaurant network and improve the customer experience.
