Wingstop Wins Fast Casual Restaurant Growth Rankings in 2024

Restaurant sales growth slowed significantly in 2024, falling from 5.3% in 2023 to only 1.8%, according to Earnest credit card data. This deceleration was caused by multiple factors, including rising costs, new wage laws, and a consumer emphasis on value. Despite these challenges, several restaurant brands achieved growth and increased market share in 2024. They adapted by managing to grow their footprint while also focusing on increasing return rates.

Fast Casual: Wingstop and CAVA pulled ahead in 2024

Wingstop (WING) and CAVA (CAVA) topped Fast Casual growth, growing 25.4% and 20.7% YoY, respectively. The broader category saw mixed results, with winners excelling at retention while also successfully attracting new customers. Sweetgreen (SG), Shake Shack (SHAK), and Freddy’s rounded out the top five fastest growing brands. Wingstop, however, was the only brand in the top 5 with accelerating growth from 2023 to 2024.

Wingstop added new customers while bringing old customers back

Sales at Wingstop grew 15.3% YoY among new customers and 10.2% among existing customers on a trailing 12-month basis from January 2024 to January 2025. In 3Q24, the Fast Casual restaurant opened over 100 locations, achieving a record 17% YoY unit growth rate. Wingstop has also expanded its domestic store count by 27% over the past two years, reaching 2,120 locations.

Recent earnings calls reported record new guest acquisition and increased purchase frequency across all customer cohorts. Wingstop’s sales growth shows its ability to scale while maintaining strong customer demand and engagement.

CAVA also outperformed, likely due to a focus on value… download report to continue reading.