Highlights

  • Fiscal third quarter 2026 total revenue was $185.1 million, compared with $175.7 million, and domestic same store sales decreased 5.4%.
  • Net income was $29,104 thousand, or $1.07 per diluted share, and adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was $63,999 thousand.
  • Updated 2026 guidance includes domestic same store sales down approximately 6.5% to 7% and 440 to 450 net new units.
  • The board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share, payable on December 4, 2026 to stockholders on November 13.

Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) shares were trading at USD 138.90 on October 28, 2026, up 12.45%, with a relative volume at time of 4.27. The restaurant franchisor declared a quarterly dividend on October 27, 2026 and, on October 28, 2026, reported fiscal third quarter results for the period ended September 26, 2026 together with updated 2026 guidance.

Wingstop is incorporated in Delaware and lists its principal executive offices in Dallas, Texas. The company operates and franchises restaurants worldwide, with approximately 98% of the total restaurant count owned by brand partners. Founded in 1994, it serves wings, tenders and chicken sandwiches. At September 26, 2026, there were 3,331 system-wide restaurants, including 2,787 in the United States, of which 2,716 were franchised and 71 were company-owned, and 544 franchised restaurants in international markets, including U.S. territories.

Fiscal Third Quarter 2026 Results

Total revenue for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2026 was $185.1 million, compared with $175.7 million in the prior third quarter. System-wide sales were $1,437 million, compared with $1,356 million, an increase of 6.0%. Domestic same store sales decreased 5.4%, compared with a decrease of 5.6% a year earlier. The company said lower transaction volumes reflected continued pressure on consumer spending. Domestic average unit volume was $1,848 thousand, compared with $2,061 thousand.

The system had 76 net new openings in the quarter. Company-owned restaurant sales increased $2.2 million, which the company attributed primarily to sixteen corporate stores opened or acquired since the prior year period, including thirteen acquired during the quarter. Cost of sales as a percentage of company-owned restaurant sales increased to 78.2% from 74.8%.

Net income was $29,104 thousand, compared with $28,478 thousand. Diluted earnings per share were $1.07. Adjusted net income, a non-GAAP measure, was $29.3 million, or $1.08 per diluted share, a decrease of 3.5%. Adjusted EBITDA was $63,999 thousand, compared with $63,658 thousand. Selling, general and administrative expense was $30.5 million, compared with $30.7 million. Depreciation and amortization was $9.0 million, compared with $6.2 million, which the company tied to technology investments.

Balance Sheet and Capital Returns

At September 26, 2026, cash and cash equivalents were $104,787 thousand, restricted cash was $25,994 thousand and long-term debt, net, was $1,211,349 thousand. Total stockholders' deficit was $772,548 thousand.

On October 27, 2026, the board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share, a total of approximately $9.0 million, payable on December 4, 2026 to stockholders as of November 13, 2026. During the third quarter, Wingstop repurchased and retired 190,688 shares at an average price of $131.12 per share. At September 26, 2026, $288.4 million remained available under the share repurchase program.

2026 Outlook

The company provided updated guidance for 2026. It expects a decline of approximately 6.5% to 7% in domestic same store sales and global net new units of 440 to 450, or 14.4% to 14.7% unit growth. It expects selling, general and administrative expense of $138 million to $140 million, which includes $3 million of restructuring charges related to corporate realignment.

Wingstop also expects stock-based compensation expense of approximately $21 million and net interest expense of approximately $41 million.

On the earnings call, management said the SG&A guidance includes additional marketing investment that was not part of its prior outlook. Management said the guidance implies higher SG&A spending in the fourth quarter, which would translate to adjusted EBITDA below its prior expectations. It said the revised unit outlook reflects the timing of openings, including ground-up shopping center locations with longer construction timelines. President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Skipworth said in the release that the company is not satisfied with its third quarter results and is focused on same store sales growth through marketing execution, restaurant operations and Club Wingstop.