Wingstop UK reports turnover increases to record £125m in nine months before being acquired by Sixth Street: Wingstop UK has reported turnover increased to a record £125,026,523 for the nine months to 29 December 2024 (12 months to March 2024: £84,658,766) “driven by the addition of 15 sites and strong underlying sales”. The company, which was acquired by US private equity firm Sixth Street in January 2025 for a reported £400m, saw operating profit grow to £13,727,533 (12 months to March 2024: £4,082,082) “due to strong sales coupled with greater efficiencies over cost controls”. Pre-tax profit was up to £13,179,897 from £3,555,835. The group said current trading was “in line with expectations, supported by deep connection with loyal customers and communities and industry-leading net promoter scores”. Chief financial officer Paddy Bamford said: “2024 was a transformational year for Wingstop UK, delivering record results across every metric and further strengthening profitability. Since partnering with Sixth Street in January 2025, we’ve accelerated our UK roll-out programme and deepened our investment in people. We’re focused on building the UK’s leading fast-casual restaurant brand, powered by the hard work and dedication of our people – the heartbeat of our business. I’m proud that Wingstop UK continues to be recognised as one of the Best Places to Work, and through initiatives like The Step Up Programme and Wingstop University we remain committed to creating opportunities for our people to grow. With trading in line with expectations, new store openings across the country, and 2025 shaping up to be another landmark year, we’re excited by the scale of expansion opportunities ahead while staying true to our focus on youth culture, our communities, and sustainable growth.” At the balance sheet date, the group had gross assets of £55.2m (March 2024: £32.6m). No dividend was paid (March 2024: nil). The group's first UK store opened in London’s Cambridge Circus in October 2018 and had 57 stores open at period end (March 2024: 42). Since the period end, Wingstop UK has opened a further 17 sites including its second Liverpool site today (Monday, 29 September). Building on its opening at Liverpool ONE earlier this year, the company has opened a new 3,305 square-foot site in Edge Lane’s Liverpool Shopping Park. Wingstop UK has ambitions to reach 200 locations in the next five years and now employs more than 3,000 people. The company’s management team is led by chief executive Chris Sherriff, chief operating officer Matt Sheppard, chief marketing officer Dirujan Sabesan and Bamford. Wingstop UK’s co-founders Tom Grogan, Saul Lewin and Herman Sahota, and the brand’s parent company Wingstop, remained as minority investors following the Sixth Street deal. Wingstop UK features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book, which is available exclusively to Premium Club subscribers and features 1,163 companies. Wingstop UK’s turnover of £125,026,523 is the 103rd highest in the database. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

Stonegate buys out Hush Heath Inns joint venture with Balfour Hospitality: Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, has bought out the remaining equity stake in Hush Heath Inns, its joint venture with Balfour Hospitality, bringing the partnership to an end. The five pubs in the group will now form part of Stonegate’s leased and tenanted division. Hush Heath Inns was set up in 2017 with Enterprise Inns, which was acquired by Stonegate in 2020. The Hush Heath pubs are The Falcon Hotel, Painswick in the Cotswolds, The Woolpack, Tenterden in Kent, The Ship, Rye in East Sussex, The Swan, Forest Row in East Sussex and The Windmill in Hollingbourne, Kent. The move allows Balfour Hospitality to continue its growth plans on its 11-strong core portfolio owned venues, including the Balfour Winery in Kent, which is on track to welcome more than 70,000 visitors in 2025 following a record-breaking 45,000 guests in 2024. Michelle Cooper, director of joint ventures at Stonegate and director of Hush Heath Inns, said: “It has been a real pleasure working with the team at Balfour Hospitality. The pubs have thrived under the Balfour stewardship and we at Stonegate are looking forward to now transferring the sites to our leased and tenanted business. The pubs are well located and offer a rare opportunity for new publicans to operate these stunning properties, which are already well positioned for success.” Leslie Balfour-Lynn, co-founder of Balfour Hospitality, said: “Our partnership with Stonegate has been an invaluable part of our journey, teaching us so much about the pub world and helping us create the characterful pubs and inns we are so proud of today. As we look to the future, we are excited about the opportunity to bring our own pubs even closer to the spirit of Balfour Winery; a place where outstanding food, wine and warm hospitality come together. This marks an exciting new chapter for our pubs, our winery, and our guests.” For the year ending 30 September 2024, Hush Heath Inns reported turnover of £5,227,000 (2023: £5,024,000 and a pre-tax loss of £7,000 (2023: loss of £195,000).