Wingstop Introduces a Bold Barbeque Dry Rub With Smoke 9

DALLAS, Feb. 29, 2016 -- Wingstop, Inc. (NASDAQ:WING), the award-winning wing concept with 845 locations worldwide, today announced it is now saucing and tossing a new, craveable wing flavor: Smoke 9, or #Smoke9 on social media.

Wingstop's New Smoke 9

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/337938a7-3278-452a-b645-fed745a40ce1

The new flavor is described as a mesquite dry rub with sweet garlic and spices that come together for a bold smoky flavor. Smoke 9 falls between Hickory Smoked BBQ and Lemon Pepper on Wingstop’s heat flavor scale.

“Smoke 9 is named for the nine iterations we went through in order to perfect this flavor,” explained Larry Bellah, Wingstop’s Director of Flavor Innovation. “Our fans love the Wingstop brand because of the bold, unique flavors we offer. So when we create a new sauce we work hard to ensure it’s authentic and different from anything else on our menu.”

To support the launch of Smoke 9, Wingstop is unveiling new TV and radio spots that celebrate their fans. Based on the concept of hard work and hustle, the new spots highlight the passion with which Wingstop fans pursue life.

“Who says success doesn’t happen overnight?” asks the narrator in the aptly-named ‘Overnight’ TV spot. “That’s exactly when it happens. Night after night, after night.”

“Wingstop fans are passionate about the things they love, whether that’s art, music or chicken wings,” said Flynn Dekker, Wingstop’s Chief Marketing Officer. “They don’t back down from their ambition, and we at Wingstop relate to that attitude. Smoke 9 took us some time to perfect, but the moment we got the flavor right we knew the effort was well worth it.”

New Smoke 9 is a limited time offering available until May 28 on classic and boneless wings, which are always cooked-to-order and sauced and tossed to perfection by the Wing Experts. The Wingstop menu also features 11 more original flavors, including fan favorites Mango Habanero, Lemon Pepper, Garlic Parmesan and Original Hot. Sides are made fresh daily including hand-cut, seasoned fries, crafted from carefully-selected whole Russet potatoes.

Fans can also get in on the action by sharing their #Smoke9 experience on Twitter or Facebook. Fans can order online now to be one of the first to try this one-of-a-kind Smoke 9 flavor.

About Wingstop:
Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Wingstop Inc. (Nasdaq:WING) operates and franchises 845 restaurants across the United States, Mexico, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates as of the end of the fourth quarter 2015. The Wing Experts menu features bone-in and boneless wings with 11 bold, distinctive flavors including Original Hot, Cajun, Atomic, Mild, Teriyaki, Lemon Pepper, Hawaiian, Garlic Parmesan, Hickory Smoked BBQ, Louisiana Rub and Mango Habanero. Wingstop's wings are always cooked-to-order, hand-sauced and tossed and served with a variety of freshly-prepared sides including Wingstop's hand-cut, seasoned fries. Wingstop has grown domestic same store sales for 12 consecutive years through 2015, was named the “Best Franchise Deal in North America” by QSR magazine in 2014, was ranked the 2015 #5 Top Growth Chain by Nation’s Restaurant News and was recognized as “Best Wings” by Food and Wine in 2014. For more information visit www.wingstop.com or www.wingstopfranchise.com. Become a fan of Wingstop by visiting facebook.com/Wingstop or twitter.com/wingstop.

Imbedded Content: https://youtu.be/YNYLmSeCZB8

Contact: Kimberly Balega
214-208-1751
[email protected]