Wingstop signs 100-restaurant agreement for Canada

Dallas, Texas – Wingstop plans to expand into Canada through an agreement with JPK Capital to develop 100 locations across Canada in the next 10 years, with the first set to open in Toronto.

The concept, which specializes in cooked-to-order wings available in 11 signature flavours, has more than 1,500 locations worldwide.

“As technology entrepreneurs and investors, we have been impressed with Wingstop’s investment in innovation and look forward to capitalizing on its proprietary tech stack to offer a best-in-class digital and in-restaurant experience to Canadians,” said Joe Poulin, founder and chief executive officer of JPK Capital.

In 2020 the brand experienced its 17th consecutive year of positive same-store sales growth, rounding out the year with 153 net new units, 21.4 per cent U.S. same-store sales growth, and total digital sales of more than 60 per cent.

Wingstop targeted Canada for its international expansion because of the country’s nearness to the brand’s home market in the U.S. as well as similarities in Canadian customers’ digital engagement and off-premise dining behaviour, the company said in a news release.

The Toronto location is expected to open in 2022 pending any unexpected or additional Canadian border regulations and closures stemming from COVID-19.