Halloween is on the horizon and Wingstop is teaming up with a popular candy brand to unveil a new, limited-time chicken wing flavor.
The restaurant chain announced on Tuesday, Oct. 13 that it has collaborated with Sour Patch Kids to create Sour Patch Kids Wicked Punch, which the wing chain calls one of its "wildest flavor creations yet."
According to a news release, the Wicked Punch flavor features a sour then sweet redberry glaze finished with bits of Sour Patch Kids for a "wickedly fun twist."
"Candy on wings? We know exactly what you’re thinking. But no, seriously, it has no business being this good," said Michael Skipworth, president and CEO of Wingstop, in a news release. "Sour Patch Kids Wicked Punch wings bring sour and sweet together in a way
only Wingstop can. It may sound unexpected, but one bite is all it takes to understand why this one is a treat."
Here's what to know about wicked new menu offering.
When will the wings be availabe on the Wingstop menu?
Club Wingstop members can try the new flavor beginning Oct. 23, with the flavor arriving nationwide on Oct. 27.
How long will the wings be available?
The Wicked Punch flavor will be available through Nov. 5 at participating locations, while supplies last, according to Wingstop.
Wingstop continues rapid expansion plans
The Texas-based chicken chain opened more new restaurants than any other U.S. chain in 2025, adding 382 locations and beating out major brands including Chipotle, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell, according to a recent ranking from QSR Magazine.
Wingstop's first-place ranking comes as the chicken chain continues its rapid expansion. According to QSR Magazine, Wingstop had 785 locations when it went public in 2015.
By the end of fiscal 2025, the company operated 3,056 restaurants worldwide.
Founded in 1994 in Garland, Texas, by Antonio Swad and Bernadette Fiaschetti, Wingstop has evolved from a regional wing chain into one of the restaurant industry's biggest growth stories.
Its growth has accelerated in recent years:
- 2023: 205 new locations
- 2024: 278 new locations
- 2025: 382 new locations
The jump is significant because Wingstop ranked fourth on QSR Magazine's 2024 list with 278 openings. That year, Starbucks led the ranking after opening 589 locations.
Now, Wingstop sits at the top of the list, suggesting Americans' appetite for chicken wings remains strong.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sour Patch... wings? New flavor coming soon to Wingstop
