American chicken wing franchise Wingstop continues its rapid global expansion, celebrating the opening of its 3,000th restaurant worldwide while building momentum in Australia following positive demand for its first outlets. The milestone reinforces Wingstop’s position as one of the fastest-growing quick-service franchise brands globally and signals strong franchise interest across markets.

The company has added nearly 800 restaurants in just two years, boosting its footprint by about 50% during that period. Wingstop now operates in 47 U.S. states and 15 countries, including recent entries into Australia, the Middle East and Europe, with further plans to enter additional markets.

Australian Expansion: Second Sydney Store Opens

Wingstop’s Australian rollout began in May 2025 with the first Sydney store at Kings Cross, which attracted long queues and strong initial consumer interest. Building on that enthusiasm, the brand has now opened its second Australian location in Penrith, Western Sydney, with promotional offers including free wings and merchandise to celebrate the launch.

Michael Skipworth, President & CEO, Wingstop:

“With a record pipeline of sold restaurant commitments, Wingstop shows no sign of slowing down… This milestone demonstrates the strength of our brand, the whitespace ahead and the global craving for Wingstop’s bold flavour.”

Wingstop Australia Country Manager, Steve Kehl, said the decision to open in Penrith followed robust demand from surrounding suburbs such as Blacktown and Parramatta, and that the company is listening to local feedback about future national rollout opportunities.

“We have a real passion to bring flavour and wings to every suburb that we possibly can… and so we’re really excited to bring it out west,” Kehl told local media about the Penrith opening.

Global Franchise Growth Strategy

Wingstop’s global growth strategy hinges on several key pillars:

• Franchise-led expansion: Over 98% of Wingstop’s restaurants globally are franchisee-owned, driving strong brand buy-in and rapid network development.

• Pipeline and market entry: With a record pipeline of restaurant commitments, Wingstop has entered multiple new international markets in recent years and continues to seek qualified franchise partners for further development.

• Brand differentiation: Wingstop’s focus on cooked-to-order wings with bold flavours and quality ingredients sets it apart from traditional fast food, resonating with customers seeking higher-quality quick-service options abroad.

• Tech-enabled growth: Digital ordering and delivery channels bolster sales and franchise performance, while supporting marketing and operational efficiency across regions including Australia, the U.S. and beyond.

Wingstop’s rapid international expansion echoes broader trends in the global fast-casual franchise landscape, where brands that blend quality, convenience and local market adaptability often see strong uptake from both consumers and franchise investors.

Wingstop’s Global Expansion Outlook

Globally, Wingstop aims to become a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand, with ambitious long-term goals of tens of thousands of restaurants worldwide — part of a vision underlined by strong franchise economics and a growing international footprint.