Wingstop Inc., the Dallas-based chicken-wing powerhouse, has reinstated its chief operating officer role after more than three years without one, promoting Rajneesh Kapoor from president of international to the position effective Jan. 7, 2026. The move, disclosed in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing, signals a strategic recalibration as the franchised chain navigates softening same-store sales while accelerating unit growth toward a 10,000-restaurant ambition.

Kapoor, 55, brings a 27-year tenure at 7-Eleven, where he most recently served as senior vice president of fresh food, beverages and restaurants from January 2018 to April 2023. He joined Wingstop in May 2023 as senior vice president and president of international, tasked with scaling operations outside the U.S. His compensation package includes a base salary of $625,000 and an annual incentive bonus target of $450,000 for fiscal 2026, plus eligibility for executive benefit plans, according to the SEC filing reported by StockTitan.

In the new role, Kapoor oversees domestic and international franchise development, operations and the 55 company-owned restaurants. This comes as predecessor Michael Skipworth, elevated to CEO in 2022, hands off operational reins amid rapid scaling. The appointment mirrors industry trends, with Jack in the Box and Starbucks reinstating COOs last year after prior eliminations, as noted by Restaurant Dive.

Executive Reshuffle Signals Operational Focus

The promotion coincides with eliminations of two senior vice president roles: Marisa Carona, chief U.S. franchise operations and development officer, and Albert McGrath, general counsel and secretary. Both will remain until March 10, qualifying for severance, per the SEC details cited in Nation’s Restaurant News. This streamlining positions Kapoor to unify oversight, particularly as Wingstop deploys tech upgrades like its kitchen display system across restaurants.

The system, rolled out systemwide last year, replaces paper checks with digital displays, boosting comparable sales and accuracy. In the Southwest—longest tenured with the tech—restaurants achieved mid- to single-digit same-store sales growth, CEO Skipworth noted in a November 2025 earnings call, hinting at relief from 2025’s sales slump, per Restaurant Dive.

Wingstop’s franchise-heavy model—98% franchised—relies on such efficiencies. Domestic average unit volumes hit $2.1 million in 2024, with pilots showing Smart Kitchen slashing ticket times nearly in half via AI-driven demand forecasting using over 300 variables like weather and sports schedules, as detailed by Restaurant Business Online.

Unit Growth Defies Sales Headwinds

Despite 2025 same-store sales challenges—a Q3 drop of 5.6% lapping prior 21% gains, with full-year guidance cut to a 3%-4% decline—development surges. The chain added 369 net new restaurants in the first nine months, eyeing 475-486 for the year and surpassing 3,000 units by Q4, ending Q3 at 2,932 (2,505 U.S., 427 international), according to Wingstop investor relations.

Q3 revenue climbed 8.1% to $175.7 million, with systemwide sales up 10% to $1.356 billion and adjusted EBITDA hitting a record $63.7 million, up 18.6%. Net income rose 10.7% to $28.5 million. Guidance now projects 17%-18% global unit growth (435-460 net new), underscoring franchisee confidence amid economic pressures hitting middle-income and Hispanic consumers, Skipworth explained on the earnings call via Restaurant Business Online.

International momentum builds, with entries into Australia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands and Ireland in 2025, plus India potential for 1,000 units. Wingstop hit 3,000 restaurants globally on Nov. 26, 2025—nearly 800 added in two years—fueled by master franchisees and cash-on-cash returns, per company releases.

Tech Backbone for Scale

Kapoor inherits the Smart Kitchen at full deployment by end-2025, now in over 2,000 U.S. units. It features four touch-screens, predictive management and order-ready screens, outperforming paper systems on speed, satisfaction and sales, BTIG analyst Peter Saleh observed post-tour, cited by Restaurant Dive. Southwest results validate recovery potential.

Digital sales exceed 70%, bolstered by MyWingstop platform and forthcoming Club Wingstop loyalty program—piloting late 2025, national 2026—offering personalized flavors and merch without discounts, Skipworth said. This counters traffic softness, targeting $75,000+ income households.

Financially robust, Wingstop posted 2024 revenue of $626 million (up 36%), net income $109 million (up 55%), with Q1 2025 revenue at $171.1 million. Dividends rose to $0.30/share, share repurchases continue ($151 million available), and debt supports capital returns post-$500 million securitization.

Path to Top 10 Global Status

Kapoor’s global expertise—from 7-Eleven IT to international VP—aligns with visions of 6,000+ U.S. and 4,000 international units at $3 million AUVs. Recent feats: NBA Chicken Partner, 21st straight same-store growth year through 2024. X buzz from industry watchers like @NRNonline highlights the reinstatement.

Challenges persist: Q2 2025 same-store dip of 1.9% (first in three years), costs from bone-in wings. Yet, 19%+ quarterly unit growth—129 in Q2, 114 in Q3—shows resilience. Analysts eye Kapoor’s execution on ops unification, tech optimization and international push to reclaim momentum.

As Wingstop declares dividends and repurchases, investor faith endures despite valuation debates—DCF models vary $240-$400/share. The COO revival positions the brand to serve “World Flavor” at scale, blending proven leadership with innovation amid sector shifts.