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Americans can't seem to get enough Wingstop.
The Texas-based chicken chain opened more new restaurants than any other U.S. chain in 2025, adding 382 locations and beating out major brands including Chipotle, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell, according to a new ranking from QSR Magazine.
Wingstop's first-place ranking comes as the chicken chain continues its rapid expansion. According to QSR Magazine, Wingstop had 785 locations when it went public in 2015.
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By the end of fiscal 2025, the company operated 3,056 restaurants worldwide.
What are the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the US?
Wingstop topped QSR Magazine's list of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in America based on the number of new locations opened in 2025.
The chicken-wing chain finished ahead of Chipotle, 7 Brew, Jersey Mike's and Dunkin', underscoring the brand's continued momentum as it expands across the country.
Top five fastest-growing restaurant chains in 2025, according to QSR Magazine:
- Wingstop – 382 new locations
- Chipotle – 294
- 7 Brew – 281
- Jersey Mike's – 238
- Dunkin' – 231
How big is Wingstop now?
Founded in 1994 in Garland, Texas, by Antonio Swad and Bernadette Fiaschetti, Wingstop has evolved from a regional wing chain into one of the restaurant industry's biggest growth stories.
Its growth has accelerated in recent years:
- 2023: 205 new locations
- 2024: 278 new locations
- 2025: 382 new locations
The jump is significant because Wingstop ranked fourth on QSR Magazine's 2024 list with 278 openings. That year, Starbucks led the ranking after opening 589 locations.
Now, Wingstop sits at the top of the list, suggesting Americans' appetite for chicken wings remains strong.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wingstop added more restaurants than any US chain in 2025, report says
