How Much Does a Wingstop Franchise Owner Make?
Wingstop franchise owners earn approximately $240,000–$320,000 annually per location based on a 2025 FDD average AUV of $2.13M and industry-leading operating margins of 15–18% after Wingstop’s 11.5% combined royalty and advertising fee. Wingstop is one of the best-performing franchise investments in QSR — rated BUY STRONG by independent analysts, with a 0.5% SBA loan default rate, 81/100 FutureScore, and 19%+ annual unit growth through 2025. The brand’s digital-first model (60%+ digital orders), small footprint (1,200–2,000 sq ft), and delivery dominance create best-in-class unit economics.
Key Takeaways
- Wingstop franchise owners earn $240K–$320K per year based on $2.13M avg AUV (FDD Item 19)
- 0.5% SBA default rate — among the lowest in the QSR segment
- 11.5% total fee burden (6% royalty + 5.5% ad fund)
- $298K–$1.01M total investment; 3-unit minimum commitment required
- FY2025 domestic SSS declined 5.8% — monitor before committing capital
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Wingstop Quick Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average AUV (FDD Item 19, 2024) | $2,128,349 |
| Median AUV | $2,001,753 |
| Item 19 Disclosure | Yes — avg, median, high, low |
| Domestic AUV Peak (FY2024) | $2.1M (per Wingstop 10-K) |
| Estimated Owner Income | $240K–$320K per store |
| Royalty Rate | 6% of gross sales |
| Ad Fund | 5.5% of gross sales |
| Total Fee Burden | 11.5% |
| Initial Investment | $298K–$1.01M |
| Franchise Fee | $25,000 |
| SBA Default Rate | 0.5% (exceptional) |
| Digital Sales Mix | 60%+ (industry leading) |
| US Locations | ~2,586 |
| Avg Payback Period | 3–5 years |
How Much Does a Wingstop Franchise Owner Make Per Year?
Wingstop’s 2025 FDD Item 19 discloses AUV data for 1,759 franchised Wingstop Restaurants operating during the full 2024 fiscal year. The average AUV was $2,128,349 and the median was $2,001,753. Wingstop’s FY2024 10-K confirmed domestic AUV reached $2.1M — a record high supported by 19.9% domestic SSS growth in 2024 (though domestic SSS moderated to -5.8% in FY2025).
| AUV Tier | Est. Net Margin (15–18%) | Est. Owner Income |
|---|---|---|
| $1.5M (lower quartile) | 13–15% | $195K–$225K |
| $2.0M (median) | 15–17% | $300K–$340K |
| $2.13M (FDD average) | 15–18% | $320K–$383K |
| $2.5M+ (top performers) | 17–20% | $425K–$500K |
Methodology: Wingstop 2025 FDD Item 19 AUV of $2,128,349 (average) and $2,001,753 (median) for 1,759 qualifying franchised restaurants in fiscal 2024. VettedBiz estimates annual earnings of $240,211–$300,263. FranchiseInvestorData estimates 17% net margins at median AUV. Note: domestic SSS declined 5.8% in FY2025 — 2025 AUV likely moderated from the 2024 peak. FDD Item 19 data is FY2024 and may overstate current-year performance. Validate with current franchisees. Always consult the current FDD.
How Much Does a Wingstop Franchise Owner Make Per Month?
At the FDD median AUV of $2.0M and estimated annual income of $300K–$340K, a Wingstop franchise owner earns approximately $25,000–$28,300 per month before taxes and debt service. High-volume locations at $2.5M+ AUV can exceed $35,000–$40,000 monthly.
What Makes Wingstop’s Unit Economics Exceptional?
- Small footprint, high revenue: 1,200–2,000 sq ft generates $2.1M AUV — revenue per square foot rivals Chick-fil-A at a fraction of the build cost
- Digital-first model: 60%+ digital order mix reduces labor cost per transaction, eliminates order errors, and drives loyalty program repeat — digital operators outperform analog peers by measurable AUV margin
- Delivery dominance: Wingstop’s delivery infrastructure (DoorDash partnership, ghost kitchen compatibility) means delivery revenue adds AUV with minimal incremental occupancy cost
- 0.5% SBA default rate: Among the lowest in the QSR segment — lenders actively compete for Wingstop franchise loans
- No dine-in requirement: Carry-out and delivery only format eliminates table service labor and maximizes kitchen throughput
Wingstop vs. SSS Headwind: What Investors Need to Know
After an exceptional 19.9% domestic SSS growth in FY2024, Wingstop’s domestic SSS declined 5.8% in FY2025 — a meaningful deceleration that brought the 2024 AUV peak back down modestly. The FDD Item 19 AUV of $2.13M reflects the 2024 peak year; 2025 AUV is likely lower. Management attributed the 2025 softness to value-tier consumer pressure (Wingstop’s $14–$18 average order is premium for QSR delivery) and wing commodity cost increases. The brand’s 19%+ unit growth rate in 2025 — opening 114+ net new units per quarter — reflects franchisee confidence in long-term demand despite near-term SSS pressure.
How Does Wingstop Compare to Similar Franchises?
| Brand | AUV | Total Fees | Investment | Est. Owner Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wingstop | $2.13M (avg) | 11.5% | $298K–$1.01M | $240K–$320K |
| McDonald’s | $3.84M | 8% | $1.47M–$2.73M | $150K–$550K |
| Jersey Mike’s | $1.367M | 11.5% | $182K–$1.41M | $120K–$200K |
| Domino’s | $1.34M | 10.5–13.5% | $156K–$743K | $64K–$200K |
Wingstop’s $2.13M AUV at $298K–$1.01M investment represents one of the best AUV-to-investment ratios in QSR franchising. The 11.5% fee burden is real but the margin structure absorbs it better than lower-AUV peers. For full FDD cost and disclosure data on Wingstop, visit FranchisePayback.com.
How to Fund a Wingstop Franchise
Wingstop’s $298K–$1.01M investment range and 0.5% SBA default rate make it a lender favorite. SBA 7(a) loans are the most common vehicle; lenders actively compete for Wingstop franchise paper. Wingstop requires operators to commit to 3+ units — total development capital is typically $900K–$3M+ for a 3-unit area agreement. See SharpSheets’ financial model hub for SBA templates.
→ Download the SBA Franchise Business Plan Template →
Frequently Asked Questions About Wingstop Franchise Owner Income
What is a Wingstop franchise owner’s average income?
Based on Wingstop’s 2025 FDD Item 19 average AUV of $2,128,349 and estimated net margins of 15–17%, a Wingstop franchise owner earns approximately $240,000–$320,000 annually per location. VettedBiz estimates $240,211–$300,263. Note that FY2025 domestic SSS declined 5.8% from the 2024 peak — current-year AUV may be modestly lower than the FDD figure.
Does Wingstop disclose Item 19 earnings?
Yes — Wingstop’s 2025 FDD Item 19 discloses average ($2,128,349) and median ($2,001,753) AUV for 1,759 franchised restaurants in fiscal 2024, plus high and low unit volumes. Wingstop also discloses combined (company + franchisee) domestic AUV in quarterly earnings releases, with FY2024 domestic AUV reaching $2.1M.
What is the payback period for a Wingstop franchise?
At $298K–$1.01M investment and $240K–$320K in estimated annual income, the payback period for a Wingstop franchise is approximately 3–5 years — among the best in QSR franchising. The 0.5% SBA default rate reflects the strong unit economics and franchisee financial stability.
Is Wingstop a good franchise investment despite the 2025 SSS decline?
Yes — the 5.8% domestic SSS decline in FY2025 is the brand’s first meaningful deceleration after years of strong growth. It’s worth monitoring, but the underlying unit economics remain strong: $2.1M AUV in a 1,200–2,000 sq ft footprint, 0.5% SBA default rate, and 19%+ unit growth rate from franchisees who are still opening locations at record pace despite the SSS softness. The SSS dip reflects value-tier consumer pressure affecting the whole QSR sector — not a Wingstop-specific problem.
Where can I find Wingstop’s FDD and full cost data?
Full FDD data, investment breakdowns, and franchise disclosure details for Wingstop are available at FranchisePayback.com.
Bottom Line: Is a Wingstop Franchise Worth It?
Wingstop is one of the strongest QSR franchise opportunities available today — $2.1M AUV in a sub-1,000 sq ft footprint, 0.5% SBA default rate, best-in-class digital infrastructure, and a 3–5 year payback at median unit performance. The 11.5% total fee burden and 3-unit minimum commitment are the key constraints. The FY2025 SSS deceleration warrants a validation call with current franchisees before committing — but the fundamental unit economics and brand trajectory remain among the best risk-adjusted entries in QSR franchising.
→ Download the SBA Franchise Business Plan Template →
→ Research Wingstop FDD data at FranchisePayback.com →
— SharpSheets Editorial Team | sharpsheets.io | Last Updated: July 2026