Wingstop Appoints First Chief People Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Wingstop has appointed Donnie Upshaw as its first Chief People Officer, effective December 16, 2021. Upshaw, who has been with the company since 2018 and previously served as Senior Vice President of People, is recognized for his significant contributions to the company's talent framework and culture. Wingstop's Chairman and CEO Charlie Morrison praised Upshaw's role in leading culture and strategy for talent management. The company continues to experience strong growth, achieving record sales and expansion during recent quarters, underscoring the importance of its people-centric approach.

Positive

• Appointment of Donnie Upshaw as Chief People Officer expected to strengthen leadership and talent management.
• Wingstop has seen a 28.8% year-over-year increase in system-wide sales to approximately $2.0 billion in fiscal year 2020.

Negative

• Possible concerns regarding continuity and experience gaps as leadership evolves.

DALLAS, Dec. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Wingstop (NASDAQ: WING) today announced the appointment of Donnie Upshaw to Chief People Officer. Donnie joined Wingstop in 2018 and most recently served as Senior Vice President of People.

"After nearly 4 years of transformational leadership and growth, I'm thrilled to congratulate Donnie on this wonderful achievement," said Wingstop Chairman and CEO Charlie Morrison. "People are the foundation of our strategy and Donnie has made a tremendous impact on our talent framework and culture, which has propelled us forward with industry-leading growth."

Donnie has been instrumental in instilling The Wingstop Way – Wingstop's differentiating cultural values defined by Service-Minded, Authentic, Entrepreneurial and Fun. He also led the process for the purchase and complete renovation of Wingstop's Global Support Center (GSC) in Addison, TX. Fully wind-powered and spanning more than 75,000 square feet, the building features areas that promote collaboration and deliver an enhanced office environment while supporting Wingstop's mission to Serve the World Flavor.

As CPO, Donnie will continue leading culture and the talent management strategy for Wingstop's GSC and corporate restaurants, focused on building and retaining top talent.

About Wingstop

Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Dallas, TX, Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ: WING) operates and franchises over 1,650 locations worldwide. The Wing Experts are dedicated to Serving the World Flavor through an unparalleled guest experience and offering of classic wings, boneless wings, tenders, thighs and Thigh Bites, always cooked to order and hand-sauced-and-tossed in fans' choice of 11 bold, distinctive flavors. Wingstop's menu also features signature sides including fresh-cut, seasoned fries and freshly-made ranch and bleu cheese dips.

In fiscal year 2020, Wingstop's system-wide sales increased 28.8% year-over-year to approximately $2.0 billion, marking the 17th consecutive year of same store sales growth, and Wingstop achieved over 700% stockholder return since its 2015 initial public offering. With a vision of becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand, its system is comprised of independent franchisees, or brand partners, who account for approximately 98% of Wingstop's total restaurant count of 1,673 as of September 25, 2021. During the fiscal quarter ended September 25, 2021, Wingstop opened 49 net new restaurants, an increase of 13.1%, and announced domestic same-store sales increased 3.9%. During the fiscal quarter ended September 25, 2021, Wingstop generated 61.6% of sales via digital channels including Wingstop.com and the Wingstop app.

A key to Wingstop's success is The Wingstop Way, which includes a core value system of being Authentic, Entrepreneurial, Service-minded, and Fun. This value system extends to its environmental, social, governance platform as Wingstop seeks to provide value to all stakeholders.

The Company has been ranked on Entrepreneur Magazine's "150 Strongest-Growing Franchises" and "The World's Best Franchises" (2020), Franchise Business Review's "Top Food Franchises" (2020), Nation's Restaurant News' "Top 200 Restaurant Chains" (2020), Fast Casual's "Top 100 Movers & Shakers" (2020), and named to The Stevie Awards for Great Employers (2020).

For more information visit www.wingstop.com or www.wingstop.com/own-a-wingstop and follow @Wingstop on Twitter and Instagram and at Facebook.com/Wingstop. Learn more about Wingstop's involvement in its local communities at www.wingstopcharities.org. 

Media Contact
Megan Sprague
Media@wingstop.com
Click here for media assets

Investor Contact
Susana Arevalo
972-331-8484
IR@wingstop.com

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SOURCE Wingstop Restaurants Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of Donnie Upshaw's appointment as Chief People Officer for Wingstop?

Donnie Upshaw's appointment as Chief People Officer is significant as it highlights Wingstop's commitment to its people-first culture and effective talent management strategy, which are crucial for its continued growth.

How has Wingstop performed financially leading up to the appointment of Donnie Upshaw?

Leading up to Donnie Upshaw's appointment, Wingstop reported a 28.8% increase in system-wide sales year-over-year, reaching approximately $2.0 billion in fiscal year 2020.

What initiatives has Donnie Upshaw led at Wingstop prior to becoming Chief People Officer?

Before becoming Chief People Officer, Donnie Upshaw led the development of Wingstop's cultural values known as The Wingstop Way and oversaw the renovation of the Global Support Center.

What growth has Wingstop achieved recently in terms of restaurant openings?

In the fiscal quarter ended September 25, 2021, Wingstop opened 49 net new restaurants, representing a 13.1% increase.