Wingstop invests in UK franchisee
The group claimed that the investment follows the UK’s strong performance, and represents the firm’s confidence in the market as a lever for global expansion
US-based chicken wing restaurant group Wingstop has announced a minority investment into its UK franchisee-owned Lemon Pepper Holdings (LPH).
The group claimed that the investment follows the UK’s strong performance, and represents the firm’s confidence in the market as a lever for global expansion.
Wingstop made a 100-restaurant sole UK franchisee deal with LPH in 2017, and the portfolio has since spread to a mix of high street, shopping centre, ghost kitchen sites.
Michael Skipworth, CEO at Wingstop, said: “We are thrilled to partner with the Lemon Pepper team as they grow their brand presence in the UK, a market with tremendous long-term potential.
“We believe this strategic use of our capital will strengthen the development pipeline in that market and I am excited to join the Lemon Pepper Holdings board of directors and play a role in helping achieve the potential for the Wingstop brand in the UK.”
Wingstop added to its 1,500-strong global portfolio of sites with an opening in Reading last month, and plans for further launches in Manchester, Kingston-upon-Thames, Birmingham Bullring, and Bristol this year.
Tom Grogan, co-founder of LPH, said that the group is looking forward to “bringing our brand to more regions of the UK in coming years”.
