Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) is included in our record of the greatest restaurant shares to purchase now.
Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) kicked off 2026 with renewed bullish conviction, with Stephens naming the inventory its 2026 Greatest Thought on January 2, 2026. Every of the agency’s 23 business groups recognized one inventory they see outpacing the efficiency of their business, the Russell 2000, and the broader market. This replace got here following a difficult 2025 for the corporate.
Nonetheless, the funding agency believes Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) is rising from short-term pressures with a transparent runway to up its model attain and bolster buyer frequency. It expects the corporate to attain this via stepped-up advertising, sports activities partnerships, improved market placement, and technology-driven initiatives. Moreover, Stephens emphasised the increasing rollout of Wingstop Sensible Kitchen, the corporate’s excessive digital combine, its massive digital person base, and the deliberate launch of a loyalty program. These elements are anticipated to drive development in 2026, Stephens famous.
The agency’s outlook is strengthened by the corporate’s administration commentary in the course of the Q3 2025 earnings name. Throughout the quarter, Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) delivered 10% system-wide gross sales development, a 19% unit development, and almost 19% adjusted EBITDA development, because of the resilience of its asset-light, extremely franchised mannequin amid a shifting shopper atmosphere. In the meantime, CEO Michael Skipworth famous that Sensible Kitchen is stay in 2,000 eating places, leading to a 50% discount in service velocity, attaining constant 10-minute supply occasions. Important enhancements in visitor satisfaction have been additionally famous, alongside mid-single-digit same-store gross sales outperformance in early adopter areas. Skipworth additionally mentioned the upcoming “Wingstop Is Right here” advertising marketing campaign and the Membership Wingstop loyalty program, at present in pilot and monitoring forward of expectations. The brand new advertising push and loyalty program are anticipated to drive common unit volumes towards a $3 million goal in 2026.
Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING), headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a franchised, chicken-focused restaurant model.
Whereas we acknowledge the potential of WING as an funding, we consider sure AI shares supply larger upside potential and carry much less draw back danger. If you happen to’re in search of an especially undervalued AI inventory that additionally stands to learn considerably from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring development, see our free report on the greatest short-term AI inventory.
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