Have you been craving that delicious Wingstop chicken sandwich lately only to find it mysteriously absent from the menu? You’re not alone! Many Wingstop fans have been asking the same question did Wingstop stop selling chicken sandwiches? Let me break down the whole situation for you as a fellow chicken sandwich enthusiast who’s done some digging
The Short Answer
No, Wingstop has not completely discontinued their chicken sandwiches. However, their availability is significantly limited and varies by location. This has made things very confusing for customers who can’t always find them.
The Wingstop Chicken Sandwich Saga
An Explosive Launch
When Wingstop released their chicken sandwich for the first time in 2022, it was a huge hit. Wingstop’s 12 signature flavors, such as Lemon Pepper, Mango Habanero, Atomic, and Original Hot, could be added to the crispy chicken breast in the sandwich.
The launch was so successful that Wingstop actually ran a clever marketing campaign on Twitter offering free chicken sandwiches in exchange for 5,000 retweets. The result? They gave away a whopping 100000 free sandwiches in just one day!
Too Much of a Good Thing
The chicken sandwiches were a huge hit—maybe even too big for Wingstop to handle. According to Michael Skipworth, CEO of Wingstop, sales were nearly 300 percent higher than expected. The chain was ready for twice as many sales as their test runs in the market, but no one saw how high demand would be.
In a shocking turn of events, Wingstop sold out of a month’s worth of supply in just six days after the nationwide launch. Transaction levels on the first Friday after launch even beat their Super Bowl Sunday sales!
One disappointed customer tweeted: “Where the damn chicken sandwich go? I got more flavors to try,” while another had to “settle” for Chick-fil-A instead.
Why Are Wingstop Chicken Sandwiches Hard to Find Now?
Several factors have contributed to the limited availability of Wingstop chicken sandwiches:
1. Supply Chain Challenges
The chicken sandwich’s disappearance wasn’t just about overwhelming popularity. Like many other restaurants, Wingstop has had major supply chain problems, especially with
- Chicken breast availability: Record high food inflation in the U.S. led to chicken breast prices reaching their highest point since 2000
- Specific packaging components: Getting consistent packaging for the sandwiches proved difficult
- Distribution logistics: Maintaining supply across all locations became challenging
2. Strategic Business Priorities
Wingstop’s primary focus has always been wings – it’s literally in their name! The company appears to have made a strategic decision to prioritize their core wing business when faced with supply difficulties Allocating resources and attention to both wings and sandwiches during supply shortages created significant strain
3. Regional Availability
Rather than maintaining nationwide availability with inconsistent supply, Wingstop seems to have opted for a regional approach. Some locations still offer the sandwich regularly, while others have removed it completely or only feature it as a limited-time offering.
Current Status of the Wingstop Chicken Sandwich
As of late 2024, the chicken sandwich remains in a state of limbo. It’s not officially discontinued, but it’s not universally available either. Here’s what you need to know:
- Regional availability: The sandwich is still sold at some locations but not others
- Limited-time offering: Some stores bring it back occasionally as a special promotion
- Inconsistent menu placement: Even on Wingstop’s website, the sandwich has a fluctuating presence
How to Find a Wingstop Chicken Sandwich
If you’re desperate for that Wingstop chicken sandwich fix, here are your best options:
- Call your local Wingstop directly – This is the most reliable method to confirm availability
- Check the Wingstop app or website – If your local store has the sandwich, it should be listed online
- Follow Wingstop on social media – They sometimes announce when the sandwich is returning to certain regions
FAQs About the Wingstop Chicken Sandwich
How much did the Wingstop chicken sandwich cost?
The sandwich was priced at around $5-6, depending on location. It was often available as part of a combo meal with fries and a drink.
What flavors were available for the Wingstop chicken sandwich?
The sandwich could be ordered with any of Wingstop’s signature sauce flavors, including fan favorites like Lemon Pepper, Mango Habanero, Atomic, and Original Hot.
Was the Wingstop chicken sandwich any good?
Customer reviews were generally positive! Many praised the crispy chicken breast and the ability to customize flavors. Some found it smaller than expected, but the taste and flavor combinations received high marks.
Will Wingstop bring back the chicken sandwich nationwide?
There’s no definitive answer, but Wingstop hasn’t ruled out a nationwide relaunch. It would likely depend on improvements in the supply chain, strategic priorities, and renewed marketing efforts.
Are there alternatives on the Wingstop menu?
While not the same as the sandwich, Wingstop’s chicken tenders can be ordered with your favorite sauce to create a somewhat similar flavor experience.
The Future of Wingstop’s Chicken Sandwich
Wingstop’s commitment to innovation suggests the chicken sandwich could make a full comeback in the future. For now, the company appears focused on strengthening its core wing business while addressing the supply chain challenges that have affected the fast food industry as a whole.
The good news is that the sandwich hasn’t been completely discontinued, so there’s always hope for a full return. Wingstop knows there’s demand – they just need to figure out how to meet it consistently.
My Personal Take
As someone who tried that Wingstop chicken sandwich during its brief heyday, I gotta say it was pretty darn good! The ability to get it in all those different flavors made it stand out from other fast food chicken sandwiches.
I’ve checked my local Wingstop a few times since then and been disappointed to find it missing from the menu. When I asked an employee about it, they just shrugged and said, “We might get it back sometime.” Not exactly helpful!
If you’re as disappointed as I am about the sandwich’s limited availability, I recommend calling ahead before making a special trip. Nothing’s worse than showing up with your mouth watering for that spicy sandwich only to find out they don’t have it!
The Bottom Line
Wingstop hasn’t completely stopped selling chicken sandwiches, but they’ve significantly scaled back availability due to supply chain issues and strategic priorities. The sandwich was a victim of its own success, selling out a month’s worth of inventory in less than a week during its initial launch.
For now, it’s a regional and sometimes seasonal offering that you’ll need to hunt down if you want to try it. Keep an eye on Wingstop’s social media accounts and call your local store to check availability before you visit.
The lemon pepper has perfectly crispy and juicy chicken, complemented well with the pickles. It packs a ton of flavor, as you’d expect, and when dipped in ranch, it’s one of those bites that makes you sit there and chew in silence, grateful food exists. I started saying grace mid-chew.
I checked Wingstop’s Twitter for confirmation, and sure enough…
