Lemon Pepper Holdings (LPH), master franchisee for Wingstop in the UK, has engaged Goldman Sachs to facilitate the sale of its business, Sky News has reported.

The move comes as a response to unsolicited interest from potential buyers.

Goldman Sachs has begun sharing information about Wingstop UK with interested parties.

Lemon Pepper Holdings has not publicly commented on the sale prospects.

The franchise agreement between Wingstop and Lemon Pepper Holdings was established in 2017, targeting the opening of 100 restaurants in the UK market.

The franchisee group, founded by Saul Lewin, Tom Grogan, Herman Sahota and Paddy Bamford, has launched 49 sites across the UK, comprising both dine-in and delivery-focused outlets.

Wingstop UK's workforce is above 1,600 and the brand made its UK debut with the opening of a restaurant at London's Cambridge Circus in 2018.

In May 2021, Wingstop announced a minority investment in its UK franchisee, Lemon Pepper Holdings.

The move highlighted the company’s belief in the UK market as a key driver for its global expansion.

LPH director Grogan said at the time: “Since launching in the UK market in 2017, Wingstop has brought its flavoursome chicken wings to thousands of hungry guests across several high-profile locations.”

Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Texas, US, Wingstop manages and franchises 1,500 restaurants globally.

In July 2024 Wingstop launched a pop-up eatery named “House of Flavor” in Paris, France, ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.