Fast-Casual Chain Wingstop Plans First Steps Into Europe With 100-Store Expansion
Fast-casual chicken wing eatery Wingstop announced plans to expand its growing empire into Europe by opening 100 locations in the UK over the next 12 years.
The chain operates more than 1,000 restaurants worldwide and plans to open its first UK shop by the end of the year, CNBC reports. International expansion is nothing new to Wingstop; the company already has a presence in Mexico, Singapore, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines.
But experts said European markets can be especially difficult to expand into, due to high labor and building costs, and slower population growth. Wingstop president of international Larry Kruguer said the European expansion is designed to fit local culture, and said that contrary to Wingstop’s U.S. locations, the new restaurants will focus less on takeout and more on the in-house dining experience.
