July 1, 2021: Wingstop Opens Virtual Brand Thighstop During Chicken Wing Shortage
Description
Nearly everyone loves a good chicken wing. Well, it seems like too many people are enjoying wings, creating a national chicken wing shortage.
To combat the shortage and increasing chicken wing prices, Wingstop has looked at the rest of the chicken. Wingstop partnered with delivery app Doordash to create the virtual brand Thighstop as a ghost kitchen -- serving thigh versions of their famous chicken wings.
Listen as restaurateur Philip Camino and chef Nyesha Arrington break down the chicken wing shortage, Wingstop’s ingenuity, and what this could mean for the brand and their competitors.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss chicken wings:
Demand for chicken wings has been up 7% during the pandemic
Despite increased demand, chicken and labor shortage are creating supply issues
In 2020, Wingstop exceeded $1 billion in digital sales, 60% of the company’s $2 billion in total sales
Wingstop’s digital sales increased 25% from 2019 to 2020 thanks in part to a new delivery system being introduced
CFO Michael Skipworth said Wingstop saw a 25.8% increase in wing prices in one year, even after forming a price-mitigation strategy with their biggest poultry suppliers
Wingstop partnered with the delivery app to open the virtual restaurant Thighstop as a ghost kitchen at 1,400 locations
While Wingstop has created Thighstop, they won’t be putting thighs on their regular menu, choosing to build the brand separately
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
Associated Press - Chicken wing shortage forces restaurants to adapt
Restaurant Dive - Wingstop surpasses $1B in digital sales in 2020
Restaurant Dive - Wingstop debuts virtual brand focused on chicken thighs
Newsweek - Chicken wings shortage sees prices rise in restaurants across U.S.
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
Los Angeles is getting yet another top restaurant as Seoul’s top BBQ restaurant Daedo is coming to town and they’re bringing a lot of their amazing ingredients with them.
On this episode of the Happy Mouth podcast, chef Nyesha Arrington and restaurateur talk about Daedo’s history -- starting...
Published 07/29/21
Airports aren’t often known for their high-class food and luxurious accommodations. But one company is looking to change that, bringing world-class food and even a way to expedite your TSA screening.
On this episode of the Happy Mouth podcast, restaurateur Philip Camino and chef Nyesha Arrington...
Published 07/28/21