Wingstop Upgraded to Overweight by Piper Sandler
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy WING?
Source: seekingalpha
Wingstop Inc. shares rose by 7.10% as it crossed above the 5-day SMA, reflecting positive investor sentiment.
Piper Sandler analyst Brian Mullan upgraded Wingstop from Neutral to Overweight, citing an attractive risk/reward ratio despite expected downgrades in earnings expectations. The upgrade follows a market perception that has overly pessimistic pricing for the stock, and Mullan believes that Wingstop's Smart Kitchen and loyalty program could stabilize declining trends. The stock's rise indicates Wall Street's approval of this rating, especially with the upcoming Q1 earnings report expected on April 29, projecting earnings of $1.06 per share on $190.3 million in sales.
This upgrade may enhance investor confidence in Wingstop, potentially leading to further stock appreciation as the company continues to innovate and adapt to market demands.
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Analyst Views on WING
Wall Street analysts forecast WING stock price to rise
22 Analyst Rating
19 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 166.040
Low
268.69
Averages
330.13
High
400.00
Current: 166.040
Low
268.69
Averages
330.13
High
400.00
About WING
Wingstop Inc. is a fast casual chicken wings-focused restaurant chain in the world, with more than 2,550 locations worldwide. The Company is in the business of franchising and operating Wingstop restaurants. The Company is primarily a franchisor, with approximately 98% of its restaurants owned and operated by independent franchisees. The Company offers classic wings, boneless wings, tenders, and chicken sandwiches, always cooked to order, and hand-sauced-and-tossed in 12 bold, distinctive flavors. It also complements its wings, tenders, and chicken sandwiches with fresh-cut, seasoned fries and fresh, hand-cut carrots and celery. It offers various order options, including dine-in / carryout / delivery; individual / combo meals / family packs. Its menu also features signature sides, including fresh-cut, seasoned fries and freshly made ranch and bleu cheese dips. The Company operates approximately a total of 2,513 restaurants in 45 states and 12 countries and United States territories.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Analyst Upgrade: Citi has provided a bullish upgrade for the fast-casual chicken-wing company.
See More
Wingstop Shares Present Buying Opportunity Amid Sales Concerns
- Sales Challenges: Wingstop (WING) has seen its shares decline over 30% in the past six months due to soft same-store sales, raising investor concerns about the brand's positioning among consumers and franchisees, reflecting market apprehension regarding future growth.
- Investment Opportunity: Citi Research analyst Jon Tower believes that despite the challenges in same-store sales, healthy franchisee profitability and a 70% return on new stores last year indicate strong franchisee demand for new locations, potentially providing a buying opportunity for investors.
- Technology Integration: Wingstop is further integrating its Smart Kitchen technology and product innovation, which is expected to improve consumer scores on order accuracy and service quality, potentially leading to a same-store sales rebound in the second half of 2026 and boosting brand confidence.
- Rating Adjustment: Tower upgraded Wingstop's rating from Neutral to Buy, although he lowered the price target to $230, which still represents a 40% upside from Monday's closing price, indicating a positive outlook for the company's future performance.
See More
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See More
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- Sales Challenges: Wingstop reported a 5.8% decline in same-store sales for 2025 and forecasts flat to low-single-digit growth for 2026, indicating that tightening consumer spending has negatively impacted its business and raised investor concerns about brand positioning.
- Strong New Store Performance: Despite the sales decline, Wingstop's new store returns remain robust at over 70% in 2025, indicating strong franchisee demand for new locations and supporting future expansion potential.
- Brand Awareness Growth: Wingstop has made encouraging strides in brand awareness and guest conversion rates, and despite intensified competition, its footprint and brand influence in the U.S. continue to expand, suggesting growth potential even in challenging times.
See More
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Citigroup's Recommendation: Citigroup Group has praised the decision to buy from Neutral, indicating a positive outlook on the investment.
Target Price Adjustment: The target price for the stock has been cut to $230 from $286, reflecting a more conservative valuation.
See More
