Wingstop Lowers Sales Guidance After Six Quarters of Decline

Wingstop revised its full-year guidance to a decrease of 6.5% to 7% in same-store sales after reporting a 5.4% decline in the third quarter. This represents the sixth consecutive quarter of negative same-store sales for the restaurant chain.

CEO Michael Skipworth attributed the slump to intensified macroeconomic pressures affecting lower-income consumers, specifically in urban markets where 55% of the company's domestic locations are located. To address the decline, the company is implementing marketing adjustments to emphasize value, leveraging its Club Wingstop loyalty program, and deploying a new AI assistant for field teams.

Despite the sales trend, the company reported third-quarter systemwide sales of $1.4 billion and a net income increase of 2.2% to $29.1 million. Wingstop also adjusted its 2026 unit-growth guidance to between 440 and 450 net new locations.