Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) released its fiscal third quarter 2026 financial results on October 28, 2026, reporting total revenue of $185.1 million and a domestic same store sales decline of 5.4% versus the prior year period.

Key Highlights

  • System-wide sales of $1.4 billion increased 6.0% versus Q3 2025, driven by net new restaurant openings.
  • Domestic same store sales decreased 5.4% versus Q3 2025, reflecting lower transaction volumes amid continued pressure on consumer spending, according to the filing.
  • Net income increased 2.2% to $29.1 million, or $1.07 per diluted share.
  • 76 net new system-wide restaurant openings during the quarter, bringing total system-wide count to 3,331.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $64.0 million increased 0.5% versus Q3 2025 (a non-GAAP measure).
  • Quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share declared on October 27, 2026, payable December 4, 2026.
  • Updated 2026 guidance calls for a domestic same store sales decline of approximately 6.5% to 7%.

Wingstop Q3 2026 Revenue, Cost Pressures, and Revised Full-Year Outlook

According to the filing, total revenue for the third quarter of 2026 increased to $185.1 million from $175.7 million in the prior third quarter, a gain of 5.3%. Royalty revenue, franchise fees and other increased $5.1 million, of which $8.6 million was primarily attributable to net new franchise development, partially offset by a decrease of $3.6 million tied to the 5.4% decline in domestic same store sales. Digital sales represented 73.7% of system-wide sales. The domestic restaurant average unit volume (AUV) stood at $1,848 thousand for the period, compared with $2,061 thousand in the same period of 2025.

The filing reported that cost of sales rose to $27.2 million from $24.3 million in the prior third quarter. As a percentage of company-owned restaurant sales, cost of sales increased to 78.2% from 74.8%, driven by higher food, beverage and packaging costs, increased rent, repair and maintenance expenses, and higher labor costs associated with acquired restaurants. Selling, general and administrative expense decreased $0.2 million to $30.5 million, with $2.0 million in reduced stock compensation expense from forfeitures partly offset by a $1.5 million increase in headcount-related expenses. Depreciation and amortization increased $2.8 million to $9.0 million, primarily due to technology-related capital expenditures placed in service after the comparable 2025 period.

For full-year 2026, the company disclosed updated guidance projecting a domestic same store sales decline of approximately 6.5% to 7%, global net new units of 440 to 450, SG&A of between $138 million and $140 million (including $3 million of restructuring charges), and interest expense net of approximately $41 million. The filing also disclosed that during Q3 2026, the company repurchased and retired 190,688 shares at an average price of $131.12 per share, leaving $288.4 million available under the existing repurchase program as of September 26, 2026.

What Was Disclosed

Wingstop reported Q3 2026 results showing revenue growth of 5.3% to $185.1 million alongside a 5.4% domestic same store sales decline. The company updated its full-year 2026 guidance and declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.33 per share payable December 4, 2026.