Cult-US restaurant chain announces it’s opening in Australia
A cult-US restaurant chain has confirmed it is opening its first ever store Down Under – and Aussies are “buzzing”.
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A cult-US restaurant chain has confirmed it is opening its first ever store in Australia.
Wingstop is a popular chicken wing franchise that first opened its doors in Texas back in 1994, and now has over 2000 venues across America.
In more recent years the restaurant chain has been expanding internationally, with stores opening in a number of different markets, including the UK, Singapore, Indonesia, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.
Now Wingstop has revealed it is finally launching into Australia and New Zealand, with the first ANZ restaurant set to open in Sydney’s Kings Cross.
“There’s never been a better time to bring Wingstop to Australia,” Steve Kehl, Country Manager at Wingstop Australia, told news.com.au.
“The response so far has been phenomenal, Aussies are already buzzing about what’s coming. “We’ve tapped into a massive appetite for bold, flavour-first food and an experience that’s anything but ordinary.”
Eagle-eyed Sydneysiders have been sharing the news on social media after spotting a sign in the window at the vacant venue soon to be occupied by Wingstop.
“Flavour landing soon in Wings Cross,” it reads in the brand’s signature green and white colours.
Reaction to the news has been mixed, with some expressing delight as others complained “Sydney always gets everything”.
“Perth will get it in the next 10 years,” one scoffed, as another lamented: “I don’t get it? Melbourne is Australia’s food capital.”
“Should have been Brisbane or the Gold Coast,” added someone else.
Popular food vlogger Nectro Vlangos, best known for his reviews as @nectoriouspapi on social media, said Aussies “love US food chains” and would undoubtedly get behind Wingstop Down Under.
“Who doesn’t love a good chicken wing? The reason people rave about Wingstop is the different variety of flavours and seasonings available,” he told news.com.au.
“My favourite is the lemon chicken, but there are 9 different flavours. They also have great dipping options too.”
The well-known foodie added that Aussies love it when an international chain opening here as it’s something people grow-up seeing on social media, TV shows and movies.
“I would definitely travel to Sydney from Melbourne to check it out once the crowds settle,” he added.
He’s not alone, fellow Melbourne foodies Nick Vavitis and Ange Eats also declared they will travel to get a Wingstop fix.
“I love the idea of a dedicated wing bar that has staple flavours like their lemon pepper and for me their absolute best standard menu flavour the garlic Parmesan wing,” Mr Vavitis told news.com.au.
“When I went to America and tried it the wide range of flavour profiles that is what stood out for me. Plus Wingstop’s limited edition flavours keep you coming back.”
Meanwhile Ange said declared in a TikTok video: “I will fly Melbourne to Sydney and wait in line for 4 days if I have to.”
Others on social media also agreed the chicken was worth an interstate trip.
“Fine, I’ll move to Sydney then,” one said.
“So dammm excited. Time to fly from Brisbane,” concluded another.
While one declared: “No way, best news ever.”
It’s not clear exactly when the new Sydney Wingstop will open, but Mr Kehl hinted Aussies won’t have to wait too long.
“We’re building something big here, and we can’t wait to share it with Australia very soon,” he said.
It’s not the first time Wingstop has tried to open in ANZ. The chicken wing experts announced in August 2017 it would be opening its first franchise in Brisbane in “the first half of 2018” as part of an expansion that would see “110 locations open in Australia and New Zealand over 10 years”.
However, the project – a collaboration with John Bridgeman Limited – didn’t come to fruition.
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