Wingstop Gears Up for Increased UK Expansion
Wingstop, a highly esteemed American chicken chain, has recently revealed its ambition to launch 15 more outlets in the United Kingdom by the year 2024. This move is the most substantial phase of expansion the brand has seen since landing in the UK in 2018. The proposed launches are projected to create up to 750 new job opportunities, bringing a much-needed boost to the UK’s hospitality sector.
Details of Wingstop’s Expansion Plan
The UK branch of this popular American hospitality brand has pinpointed nine specific sites for the new outlets. These locations include sought after locations like Hounslow, Watford, Clapham High Street, Croydon Valley Retail Park, Lakeside Shopping Centre, Westfield Stratford City, Wood Green, Merry Hill Dudley and another wing in Leeds. What makes these locations noteworthy is that they run the gamut from high streets to retail parks, to shopping centres, solidly entrenching Wingstop’s presence across a range of settings.
Guiding the Expansion: Master Franchisee’s Contribution
Lemon Pepper Holdings, the master franchisee, has taken the centre stage in directing this expansion venture. Presently, they are in talks concerning six more unidentified locations, that are also expected to open their doors by 2024. With these forthcoming launches, Wingstop is making confident strides towards bolstering its status as a prominent leader in the UK’s quick-service dining industry.
The Expansion Trend: US-Based Franchises in UK
Wingstop’s expansion plan represents a broader pattern of US-origin franchises broadening their reach in the UK. For instance, Popeyes has recently announced intentions to open over 30 new restaurants within the coming year. This particular expansion drive is expected to generate nearly 2,000 job openings to further invigorate the hospitality employment landscape.
Tom Grogan, co-founder of Wingstop, conveyed his excitement over the brand’s growth projections and reaffirmed their commitment to delivering superior-quality wings and creating a distinctive dining experience for its customers. According to him, this widespread expansion forms a part of their ambitious drive to offer the UK a taste of the best wings.
Currently, with 39 operational sites in the UK and a 1,600 strong workforce, Wingstop’s impending expansion promises to significantly elevate its footprint in UK, while contributing meaningfully to the nation’s economic growth and employment sector.
