Wingstop Inc. Reports Fiscal First Quarter Financial Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Wingstop reported strong fiscal first quarter 2025 results with system-wide sales increasing 15.7% to $1.3 billion. The company achieved record 126 net new restaurant openings, delivering 18% unit growth. Digital sales reached 72% of system-wide sales, while domestic same-store sales grew 0.5%.
Key financial highlights include:
- Total revenue up 17.4% to $171.1 million
- Net income surged 221% to $92.3 million
- Domestic restaurant AUV increased to $2.1 million
- Adjusted EBITDA grew 18.4% to $59.5 million
The company updated its 2025 guidance, projecting approximately 1% domestic same-store sales growth and 16-17% global unit growth. Wingstop declared a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share and completed share repurchases through an accelerated program, retiring 868,527 shares at an average price of $287.84.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Positive
- Record 126 net new restaurant openings in Q1, achieving 18% unit growth
- System-wide sales increased 15.7% to $1.3 billion
- Net income surged 221% to $92.3 million
- Digital sales reached 72% of system-wide sales
- Domestic restaurant AUV increased to $2.1 million
- $191.3 million remains available for share repurchases
- International expansion continues with 388 franchised restaurants
Negative
- Domestic same-store sales growth slowed to just 0.5% vs 21.6% in prior year
- Cost of sales increased to 76% from 74.5% due to higher chicken wing prices
- SG&A expenses increased by $6.3 million due to higher headcount
- Company lowered 2025 same-store sales guidance to 1% from previous low-to-mid single digits
News Market Reaction – WING
On the day this news was published, WING gained 14.48%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Record 126 Net New Openings in First Quarter,
Highlights for the fiscal first quarter 2025 compared to the fiscal first quarter 2024:
- System-wide sales increased
15.7% to$1.3 billion - 126 net new openings in the fiscal first quarter 2025
- Domestic restaurant AUV increased to
$2.1 million - Domestic same store sales increased
0.5% - Digital sales increased to
72.0% of system-wide sales - Total revenue increased
17.4% to$171.1 million - Net income increased
221.0% to$92.3 million $3.24 - Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share, both non-GAAP measures, were
$28.3 million $0.99 - Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, increased
18.4% to$59.5 million
Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted earnings per diluted share are non-GAAP measures. A reconciliation of each of adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted earnings per diluted share to the most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
"Despite the challenging and unpredictable macro-environment, our first quarter results demonstrate the staying power of our strategies and resiliency in our model," said Michael Skipworth, President & Chief Executive Officer. "We opened a record 126 net new units in the first quarter, delivering
Key operating metrics for the fiscal first quarter 2025 compared to the fiscal first quarter 2024:
Thirteen Weeks Ended | |||
March 29, 2025 | March 30, 2024 | ||
Number of system-wide restaurants open at end of period | 2,689 | 2,279 | |
Number of domestic franchise restaurants open at end of period | 2,250 | 1,924 | |
Number of international franchise restaurants open at end of period (1) | 388 | 305 | |
System-wide sales (in millions) | $ 1,300 | $ 1,124 | |
Domestic AUV (in thousands) | $ 2,135 | $ 1,918 | |
Domestic same store sales growth | 0.5 % | 21.6 % | |
Company-owned domestic same store sales growth | 1.4 % | 6.2 % | |
Net income (in thousands) | $ 92,265 | $ 28,747 | |
Adjusted net income (in thousands) | $ 28,316 | $ 28,747 | |
Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands) | $ 59,497 | $ 50,263 | |
________________________ | |
(1) | Including |
Fiscal first quarter 2025 financial results
Total revenue for the fiscal first quarter 2025 increased to
Cost of sales was
Selling, general & administrative ("SG&A") expense increased
Depreciation and amortization increased
Interest expense, net increased
Investment income, net increased
Income tax expense was
Financial Outlook
Based on year-to-date results, the Company is providing updated guidance for 2025. The Company's outlook is dependent on the macro-environment which is inherently difficult to predict given current high levels of uncertainty.
- Approximately
1% domestic same store sales growth, previously low- to mid- single digits; - Global unit growth rate of
16% to17% , previously14% to15% ; - SG&A of approximately
$140 million $4.5 million - Stock-based compensation expense of approximately
$26 million - Interest expense, net of approximately
$40 million $46 million - Depreciation and amortization of between
$28 $29 million $29 $30 million
Restaurant Development
As of March 29, 2025, there were 2,689 Wingstop restaurants system-wide. This included 2,301 restaurants in
Quarterly Dividend
In recognition of the Company's strong cash flow generation and our commitment to returning value to stockholders, on April 29, 2025, our board of directors authorized and declared a quarterly dividend of
Share Repurchases
On December 9, 2024, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (the "ASR Agreement") with a third-party financial institution to repurchase
During the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2025, in addition to the settlement of the ASR Agreement, the Company repurchased and retired 512,810 shares of its common stock at an average price of
Since the inception of the Company's share repurchase program in August 2023, the Company has repurchased and retired 2,196,768 shares of its common stock at an average price of
The following definitions apply to these terms as used in this release:
Domestic average unit volume ("AUV") consists of the average annual sales of all restaurants that have been open for a trailing 52-week period or longer. This measure is calculated by dividing sales during the applicable period for all restaurants being measured by the number of restaurants being measured. Domestic AUV includes revenue from both company-owned and franchised restaurants. Domestic AUV allows management to assess our domestic company-owned and franchised restaurant economics. Changes in domestic AUV are primarily driven by increases in same store sales and are also influenced by opening new restaurants.
Domestic same store sales reflects the change in year-over-year sales for the same store restaurant base. We define the same store restaurant base to include those restaurants open for at least 52 full weeks. This measure highlights the performance of existing restaurants, while excluding the impact of new restaurant openings and permanent closures. We review same store sales for domestic company-owned restaurants as well as system-wide domestic restaurants. Domestic same store sales growth is driven by increases in transactions and average transaction size. Transaction size increases are driven by price increases or favorable mix shift from either an increase in items purchased or shifts into higher priced items.
System-wide sales represents net sales for all of our company-owned and franchised restaurants, as reported by franchisees. This measure allows management to better assess changes in our royalty revenue, our overall store performance, the health of our brand and the strength of our market position relative to competitors. Our system-wide sales growth is driven by new restaurant openings as well as increases in same store sales.
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income before interest expense, net, income tax expense (benefit), and depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), further adjusted for losses on debt extinguishment and financing transactions, transaction costs, costs and fees associated with investments in our strategic initiatives, gains and losses on non-recurring transactions, certain system implementation costs, and stock-based compensation expense.
Adjusted net income is defined as net income adjusted for losses on debt extinguishment and financing transactions, transaction costs, costs and fees associated with investments in our strategic initiatives, gains and losses on non-recurring transactions, certain system implementation costs, and related tax adjustments.
Adjusted earnings per diluted share is defined as adjusted net income divided by weighted average diluted share count.
We caution investors that amounts presented in accordance with our definitions above may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by our competitors because not all companies and analysts calculate certain non-GAAP measurements in the same manner.
Conference Call and Webcast
The Company will host a conference call today to discuss the fiscal first quarter 2025 financial results at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. The conference call can be joined telephonically by dialing 1-877-259-5243 or 1-412-317-5176 (international) and asking for the Wingstop conference call. A replay will be available two hours after the call and can be accessed by dialing 1-877-344-7529 or 1-412-317-0088 (international), then entering the replay code 4143622. The replay will be available through Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
The conference call will also be webcast live and later archived on the investor relations section of Wingstop's corporate website at ir.wingstop.com under the 'News & Events' section.
About Wingstop
Founded in 1994 and headquartered in
In fiscal year 2024, Wingstop's system-wide sales increased
In 2024, Wingstop secured a place on Ad Age's 'Hottest Brands' list. The Company also earned a spot as one of QSR Magazine's "Best Brands to Work For," was recognized by Fast Company as one of the "Most Innovative Companies" and ranked #14 on Entrepreneur Magazine's 'Franchise 500' as one of the fastest-growing franchises. In 2023, Wingstop earned its "Best Places to Work" certification.
For more information, visit www.wingstop.com or www.wingstop.com/own-a-wingstop and follow @Wingstop on X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Learn more about Wingstop's involvement in its local communities at www.wingstopcharities.org. Unless specifically noted otherwise, references to our website addresses, the website addresses of third parties or other references to online content in this press release do not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on such website and should not be considered part of this release.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use non-GAAP financial measures, including those indicated above. By providing non-GAAP financial measures, together with a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure, we believe we are enhancing investors' understanding of our business and our results of operations, as well as assisting investors in evaluating how well we are executing our strategic initiatives. These measures are not intended to be considered in isolation or as substitutes for, or superior to, financial measures prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measures used in this press release may be different from the measures used by other companies. A reconciliation of each measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is available in this news release. In addition, the Current Report on Form 8-K furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") concurrent with the issuance of this press release includes a more detailed description of each of these non-GAAP financial measures, together with a discussion of the usefulness and purpose of such measures.
Forward-looking Statements
This news release includes statements of our expectations, intentions, plans and beliefs that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are intended to come within the safe harbor protection provided by those sections. These statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, relate to the discussion of our business strategies and our expectations concerning future operations, margins, profitability, trends, liquidity and capital resources and to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "may," "will," "should," "expect," "intend," "plan," "outlook," "guidance," "anticipate," "believe," "think," "estimate," "seek," "predict," "can," "could," "project," "potential" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements are accompanied by such terms. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, our 2025 fiscal year outlook for domestic same store sales growth, global unit growth, SG&A expense, stock-based compensation expense, interest expense, net and depreciation and amortization. These forward-looking statements are made based on expectations and beliefs concerning future events affecting us and are subject to uncertainties, risks, and factors relating to our operations and business environments, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Please refer to the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which can be found at the SEC's website www.sec.gov. The discussion of these risks is specifically incorporated by reference into this news release.
When considering forward-looking statements in this news release or that we make in other reports or statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements in this news release and future reports we file with the SEC. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and we cannot predict when they may arise or how they may affect us. Any forward-looking statement in this news release speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
Media Contact
Maddie Lupori
Media@wingstop.com
Investor Contact
Kristen Thomas
IR@wingstop.com
WINGSTOP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Balance Sheets (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) | |||
March 29, | December 28, | ||
Assets | |||
Current assets | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 251,382 | $ 315,910 | |
Restricted cash | 25,994 | 20,868 | |
Accounts receivable, net | 18,452 | 19,661 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 6,688 | 6,520 | |
Advertising fund assets, restricted | 21,740 | 32,659 | |
Total current assets | 324,256 | 395,618 | |
Property and equipment, net | 107,554 | 125,953 | |
Operating lease assets | 47,879 | 49,046 | |
Goodwill | 74,718 | 74,718 | |
Trademarks | 32,700 | 32,700 | |
Investments | 76,116 | 8,511 | |
Other non-current assets | 33,581 | 29,700 | |
Total assets | $ 696,804 | $ 716,246 | |
Liabilities and stockholders' deficit | |||
Current liabilities | |||
Accounts payable | $ 7,904 | $ 6,943 | |
Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 2,988 | 1,059 | |
Other current liabilities | 58,374 | 46,782 | |
Advertising fund liabilities | 21,740 | 32,659 | |
Total current liabilities | 91,006 | 87,443 | |
Long-term debt, net | 1,206,911 | 1,206,201 | |
Operating lease liabilities | 57,897 | 58,169 | |
Deferred revenues, net of current | 41,505 | 38,877 | |
Deferred income tax liabilities, net | 14,405 | 1,085 | |
Other non-current liabilities | 62 | 57 | |
Total liabilities | 1,411,786 | 1,391,832 | |
Commitments and contingencies | |||
Stockholders' deficit | |||
Common stock, | 279 | 287 | |
Additional paid-in-capital | 1,291 | 1,568 | |
Retained deficit | (719,310) | (676,940) | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | 2,758 | (501) | |
Total stockholders' deficit | (714,982) | (675,586) | |
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit | $ 696,804 | $ 716,246 | |
WINGSTOP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Operations (amounts in thousands, except per share data) | |||
Thirteen Weeks Ended | |||
March 29, | March 30, | ||
(Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | ||
Revenue: | |||
Royalty revenue, franchise fees and other | $ 78,775 | $ 67,097 | |
Advertising fees | 62,272 | 50,149 | |
Company-owned restaurant sales | 30,047 | 28,543 | |
Total revenue | 171,094 | 145,789 | |
Costs and expenses: | |||
Cost of sales (1) | 22,835 | 21,271 | |
Advertising expenses | 65,795 | 53,192 | |
Selling, general and administrative | 31,440 | 25,178 | |
Depreciation and amortization | 6,228 | 3,410 | |
Loss on disposal of assets | 6,535 | — | |
Total costs and expenses | 132,833 | 103,051 | |
Operating income | 38,261 | 42,738 | |
Interest expense, net | 8,910 | 4,544 | |
Investment income, net | (93,839) | (303) | |
Income before income tax expense | 123,190 | 38,497 | |
Income tax expense | 30,925 | 9,750 | |
Net income | $ 92,265 | $ 28,747 | |
Earnings per share | |||
Basic | $ 3.25 | $ 0.98 | |
Diluted | $ 3.24 | $ 0.98 | |
Weighted average shares outstanding | |||
Basic | 28,385 | 29,349 | |
Diluted | 28,509 | 29,478 | |
Dividends per share | $ 0.27 | $ 0.22 | |
________________________ | |
(1) | Cost of sales includes all operating expenses of company-owned restaurants, including advertising expenses, but excludes |
WINGSTOP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Unaudited Supplemental Information Cost of Sales Margin Analysis (amounts in thousands) | |||||||
Thirteen Weeks Ended | |||||||
March 29, 2025 | March 30, 2024 | ||||||
In dollars | As a % of | In dollars | As a % of | ||||
Cost of sales: | |||||||
Food, beverage and packaging costs | $ 11,241 | 37.4 % | $ 9,903 | 34.7 % | |||
Labor costs | 7,153 | 23.8 % | 6,675 | 23.4 % | |||
Other restaurant operating expenses | 5,191 | 17.3 % | 5,410 | 19.0 % | |||
Vendor rebates | (750) | (2.5) % | (717) | (2.5) % | |||
Total cost of sales | $ 22,835 | 76.0 % | $ 21,271 | 74.5 % | |||
WINGSTOP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Unaudited Supplemental Information Restaurant Count | |||
Thirteen Weeks Ended | |||
March 29, | March 30, | ||
Domestic Franchised Activity | |||
Beginning of period | 2,154 | 1,877 | |
Openings | 96 | 47 | |
Closures | — | — | |
Restaurants end of period | 2,250 | 1,924 | |
Domestic Company-Owned Activity | |||
Beginning of period | 50 | 49 | |
Openings | 1 | 1 | |
Closures | — | — | |
Restaurants end of period | 51 | 50 | |
Total Domestic Restaurants | 2,301 | 1,974 | |
International Franchised Activity(1) | |||
Beginning of period | 359 | 288 | |
Openings | 30 | 17 | |
Closures | (1) | — | |
Restaurants end of period | 388 | 305 | |
Total System-wide Restaurants | 2,689 | 2,279 | |
________________________ | |
(1) | Includes |
WINGSTOP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Non-GAAP Financial Measures - EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited) (amounts in thousands) | |||
Thirteen Weeks Ended | |||
March 29, | March 30, | ||
Net income | $ 92,265 | $ 28,747 | |
Interest expense, net | 8,910 | 4,544 | |
Income tax expense | 30,925 | 9,750 | |
Depreciation and amortization | 6,228 | 3,410 | |
EBITDA | $ 138,328 | $ 46,451 | |
Additional adjustments: | |||
Transaction costs (a) | 497 | — | |
Loss on sale of building (b) | 6,534 | — | |
Gain on sale of investment (c) | (92,485) | — | |
System implementation costs (d) | 1,311 | — | |
Stock-based compensation expense (e) | 5,312 | 3,812 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ 59,497 | $ 50,263 | |
________________________ | |
(a) | Represents non-recurring transaction costs that are not part of our ongoing operations and were incurred to execute the sale |
(b) | Represents a non-recurring loss on sale of an office building during the fiscal first quarter 2025, which was included in Loss |
(c) | Represents a non-recurring gain related to the sale of the Company's unconsolidated equity method investment in LPH during |
(d) | System implementation costs represent non-recurring expenses incurred related to the development and implementation of |
(e) | Includes non-cash, stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures. |
WINGSTOP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS (Unaudited) (amounts in thousands, except per share data) | |||
Thirteen Weeks Ended | |||
March 29, | March 30, | ||
Numerator: | |||
Net income | $ 92,265 | $ 28,747 | |
Adjustments: | |||
Transaction costs (a) | 497 | — | |
Loss on disposal of building (b) | 6,534 | — | |
Gain on sale of investment (c) | (92,485) | — | |
System implementation costs (d) | 1,311 | — | |
Tax effect of adjustments (e) | 20,194 | — | |
Adjusted net income | $ 28,316 | $ 28,747 | |
Denominator: | |||
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted | 28,509 | 29,478 | |
Adjusted earnings per diluted share | $ 0.99 | $ 0.98 | |
________________________ | |
(a) | Represents non-recurring transaction costs that are not part of our ongoing operations and were incurred to execute the sale |
(b) | Represents a non-recurring loss on sale of an office building during the fiscal first quarter 2025, which was included in Loss |
(c) | Represents a non-recurring gain related to the sale of the Company's unconsolidated equity method investment in LPH during |
(d) | System implementation costs represent non-recurring expenses incurred related to the development and implementation of |
(e) | Represents the tax effect of the aforementioned adjustments to reflect corporate income taxes at an assumed effective tax rate |
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SOURCE Wingstop Restaurants Inc.