At Wingstop, the commitment to “serve the world flavor” and an exceptional guest experience is unwavering. As part of its mission to become a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand, Wingstop has been continuously innovating and refining its operational strategies to ensure consistency, efficiency, and engagement across all locations. A key part of this innovation lies in their strategic use of Crunchtime’s Operations Execution solution, Zenput, which has played a crucial role in driving the success of the brand’s growth initiatives, especially with limited-time offers (LTOs).
At Crunchtime’s Ops Summit 2024, Stephanie Herrington, Wingstop’s Manager of Operations Excellence, detailed how they leveraged Zenput to reach their organizational goals.
1) Successful LTO Implementation with Zenput
LTOs have become a staple in the quick-service restaurant industry, and Wingstop is no stranger to the success that can come with these special promotions. The brand’s highly popular Hot Honey LTO even earned a permanent spot on the Wingstop menu due to its success. However, launching LTOs comes with its challenges, especially as it requires consistent execution across a large network of locations.
Wingstop has effectively utilized Zenput’s announcements and checklists to enhance communication and improve accuracy in LTO implementation. By incorporating pre- and post-launch LTO checklists and using announcements to remind teams about important tasks, Wingstop has seen improvements in order accuracy. This structured approach to communication has been instrumental in ensuring that each location meets the brand’s high standards for quality and guest experience, both during and after the launch of an LTO.
“Zenput Announcements and Checklists have impacted the implementation of LTOs by increasing guest-reported order accuracy for LTOs from 2023 to 2024 year-to-date. Beginning February 2024, we utilized pre- and post-launch LTO Checklists and sent announcements to remind teams to post the materials and train their teams.” - Stephanie Herrington, Wingstop’s Manager of Operations Excellence
2) Bridging Language Barriers for Improved Training
As Wingstop continues to expand globally, one of the key focus areas has been making training materials accessible to a diverse workforce. With over 2,000 locations across the globe, it’s essential that all employees have the resources they need to succeed, no matter where they are located.
Using Zenput’s tools to identify gaps in the process, Wingstop is able to address issues like the need for bilingual printed materials and implementation guides in both English and Spanish, ensuring that all team members, regardless of their language preference, could participate fully in the LTO rollout.
Through Zenput, Wingstop has been able to enhance the accessibility of training materials by offering bilingual resources. This includes not only the operational checklists but also materials related to LTOs and other initiatives. Providing both English and Spanish versions of these materials has been a game-changer for Wingstop, allowing all team members to receive consistent training and stay aligned with brand standards.
3) Driving Technological Growth with Zenput
In addition to LTO success, Wingstop has also made strides in rolling out new technologies, most notably the launch of its MyWingstop platform. This new e-commerce platform is designed to serve as a one-stop shop for brand partners and restaurants, streamlining communication and improving operational efficiencies across all locations.
Herrington added, “Weekly announcements and checklists for each Brand Partner and restaurant helped us track progress and pivot as needed.”
Looking Ahead: Leveraging Zenput for Global Expansion
As Wingstop looks toward the future, the brand remains committed to leveraging Zenput’s tools to support its continued growth. It is expanding its efforts to offer all Zenput forms in both English and Spanish, ensuring that its diverse workforce remains engaged and equipped to deliver the best possible experience for guests.
“Zenput has been a true partner in our journey to become a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand,” concluded Herrington. “We look forward to continuing to leverage their platform to drive our operations, support our growth initiatives, and enhance the guest experience.- Stephanie Herrington, Wingstop’s Manager of Operations Excellence
With the continued focus on accessibility, efficiency, and innovation, Wingstop’s use of Zenput exemplifies how the solution has empowered the brand in ways beyond traditional operational tasks. By utilizing Zenput’s tools to improve LTO implementation, enhance training materials, and support technological transitions, Wingstop is positioning itself for continued success as it strives to achieve its goal of becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand.
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