If you walked into a small, unassuming storefront in Garland, Texas, back in the summer of 1994, you wouldn’t have seen a global powerhouse. You would’ve seen a guy named Antonio Swad. Honestly, he was probably covered in wing sauce. Most people asking when was wingstop founded usually expect a corporate origin story involving a boardroom and a massive budget, but it actually started on June 6, 1994, with a single fryer and a very specific obsession.
Swad wasn't a newbie. He already had skin in the game with a pizza chain called Pizza Patrón, which he started in 1986. But he had this hunch. He noticed people were ordering wings as a side dish at pizza joints and thought, "Why can't this be the main event?" It was a weird idea at the time. Wings were bar food. They were the thing you ate while watching a game at a pub, not something you took home to the family in a dedicated bucket.
The Garland Roots and the 1994 Launch
Garland is basically a suburb of Dallas, and that’s where the first Wingstop set up shop. The vibe from day one was "nostalgic aviation." We’re talking 1930s and 40s pre-jet era. Think propellers, olive green colors, and a sort of "victory garden" aesthetic. Antonio Swad and his partner, Bernadette Fiaschetti, didn't just want to sell chicken; they wanted to sell an era.
The menu was tiny. It was almost aggressively simple. You had wings, a few sides, and that was about it. They didn't even serve lunch at first! For the first decade, they didn't open their doors until 4:00 PM. It was strictly a dinner and late-night play. They didn’t start serving lunch until 2005, which feels like a lifetime ago in the fast-food world.
By 1997, the brand was ready to grow. They started franchising, and that’s when the "little wing shop that could" really started to take off. The first franchised location opened that year, and suddenly, the Dallas-Fort Worth area was crawling with these aviation-themed spots.
Turning Points: From 1994 to a Global Empire
The timeline of Wingstop is kind of a wild ride of ownership changes and massive growth spurts. After building the brand to about 90 or 100 locations, Swad decided it was time to move on to the next thing. In 2003, he sold the company to Gemini Investors.
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Here is how the expansion actually looked over the years:
- 1994: The first doors open in Garland.
- 1997: Franchising begins, changing everything.
- 2002: They hit a massive milestone—one billion wings served.
- 2003: Antonio Swad sells the brand to Gemini Investors.
- 2009: Boneless wings finally hit the menu (a controversial move for purists, but a goldmine for sales).
- 2010: Roark Capital Group buys the company. This is the same firm that owns Arby's and Buffalo Wild Wings.
- 2015: Wingstop goes public on the NASDAQ under the ticker WING.
Going public was a massive deal. The IPO price was $19 a share, and it basically tripled their visibility overnight. It turned the "cult favorite" into a legitimate Wall Street darling.
Why the Aviation Theme?
People always ask why a wing place looks like a 1940s hangar. It wasn't just a random choice. Swad wanted a brand that felt established and "classic" from the moment it opened. By picking a pre-jet aviation theme, he tapped into a sense of American reliability. It made the brand feel older and more "trusted" than a brand-new startup from 1994.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Early Days
There's a common myth that Wingstop was always this tech-heavy, digital-first company. Nope. Not even close. In the beginning, it was all about the "toss and sauce." The proprietary recipes—especially the Original Hot and the Lemon Pepper—were developed in a kitchen, not a lab.
Another misconception? That they always had a huge menu. If you look at the menu today, you see chicken sandwiches, tenders, and a dozen sides. Back in '94, it was basically bone-in wings or bust. They didn't even have boneless wings until fifteen years after they were founded!
The Rick Ross Connection
You can’t talk about Wingstop’s history without mentioning Rick Ross. While he didn’t found the company (obviously), he’s arguably the most famous franchisee in history. He bought his first location in Memphis around 2011 and now owns dozens. He didn't just buy them for the investment; he talked about them in his music. That "boss" energy brought a level of cool to the brand that you just can't buy with traditional advertising.
Where Is Wingstop Now?
As of early 2026, the company has officially crossed the 3,000-location mark. They’ve gone from a single shop in North Texas to having restaurants in the UK, Mexico, Singapore, and even South Korea. They just opened their first spots in the Netherlands and Australia, too.
The strategy has shifted from being a "restaurant" to being a "tech company that sells wings." Over 70% of their sales now happen digitally. It’s a far cry from Antonio Swad hand-painting signs in Garland.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Entrepreneurs
If you’re looking at Wingstop’s history, there are a few things you can actually take away from it, whether you're just hungry or looking to start your own business:
- Check the Original Location: If you’re ever in Garland, Texas, the brand still has deep roots there. While the "original" storefront has moved or been updated, the area remains the spiritual home of the Wing Experts.
- Order Like a Pro: Most people stick to one flavor. The history of the brand is built on the "toss and sauce" technique. Try "well done" (extra crispy) with a dry rub like Lemon Pepper or Louisiana Rub—it's how the regulars have done it since the 90s.
- Watch the Stock: If you’re into investing, keep an eye on their international expansion. They are aiming for 10,000 locations globally. That’s a lot of chicken.
- Simplicity Wins: The biggest lesson from 1994 is that you don't need a 50-page menu. Swad won by doing one thing (wings) better than everyone else.
The next time you're dipping a wing into that famous ranch (which is also made in-house, by the way), remember it all started with a guy in Texas who thought wings deserved to be the star of the show.
Ready to see how far they've come? You can find the nearest location to you on their official site or check out their latest limited-time flavor drops which usually nod back to their 90s roots.