Wingstop was the fastest-growing restaurant in the US in 2025: Report

(NewsNation) — Wingstop was the fastest-growing restaurant chain in the United States in 2025 by net new locations, according to QSR Magazine.

The Texas-based chicken wing chain outpaced every other major restaurant in the country, adding 384 new locations last year while closing only four, bringing its global total to 3,056, the outlet reported.

Wingstop was nearly 100 locations ahead of the next four chains on the list, after placing fourth in 2024:

• Chipotle: +294
• 7 Brew: +281
• Jersey Mike’s: +238
• Dunkin’: +231

Wingstop’s growth has surged over the past few years, with 278 openings in 2024 and 205 in 2023, the outlet reported. Between 2023 and 2025, the chain opened 868 franchised restaurants and closed just five.

The brand’s goal is to eventually reach 10,000 locations and to join the top 10 global chains, the outlet reported. It currently sits at number 15 by system-wide sales at $5.34 billion, just behind Raising Cane’s, Popeyes and Panera.

L’Express Franchise reported that Wingstop’s franchise model, with around 98% of its restaurants owned by franchisees, has helped drive the rapid expansion.

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