Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) shares jumped 15% in premarket trading Wednesday after the fast-casual chicken chain reported second-quarter earnings ahead of expectations and raised its global expansion guidance for the year.
Adjusted earnings per share reached $1.00, topping Wall Street’s forecast of $0.87. Revenue also edged past estimates, coming in at $174.3 million, compared to the expected $173.4 million.
The company now anticipates global unit growth of 17% to 18% in 2025, up from its previous projection of 16% to 17%, citing strong momentum in store openings.
“Our momentum in development continued in the second quarter, opening 129 net new units, delivering 19.8% unit growth, which marked our fourth consecutive quarter of opening more than 100 net new units,” said CEO Michael Skipworth.
“We continue to open new restaurants at a record pace, demonstrating our brand partners’ commitment to growing the Wingstop brand, furthering us towards our vision of becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand.”
In addition to the upbeat expansion outlook, the company revised its net interest expense forecast down slightly to around $39 million, from a prior estimate of $40 million.
Other 2025 targets remain unchanged, including approximately 1% domestic same-store sales growth, $140 million in SG&A expenses, which incorporates $4.5 million for system upgrades and $26 million in stock-based compensation.
Wingstop also reaffirmed its expectations for depreciation and amortization to fall between $28 million and $29 million.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.