Oct. 8, 2024

New franchisees with a background in the restaurant industry are bringing a new Wingstop location to Sioux Falls.

Mike Leslie and Jeff Oliver worked together in leadership roles for years at Dakota King, the former Burger King franchisee. They’re now franchising Wingstop, beginning with a location in Sioux City earlier this year.

“The biggest thing that drew us to it is the simplicity,” Leslie said. “They do the minimal amount of stuff, but they do it right. We do wings — boneless and bone-in — and tenders, and we just introduced a chicken sandwich. But that’s it, and we do it with flavor, which is key.”

There are 13 flavors of varying levels of heat, and combos are offered with sides and drinks. Almost 80 percent of the business is done through online orders and delivery, Leslie said.

“You’re given a quote time as far as when the order is going to be done, and you stop in, pick it up and go,” he said.

Wingstop originally opened in Sioux Falls at 1902 S. Minnesota Ave. in 2014. That location is owned by a different franchisee and currently has a sign up that says it’s closed until further notice.

Leslie and Oliver plan to open their first Sioux Falls store at 3605 W. 57th St., just east of Louise Avenue.

“It’s close to the interstate, especially for our DoorDash drivers and people coming in and ordering online,” Leslie said. “We should be able to pick up part of the Tea market with the interstate, and there’s a lot happening on the west side of Sioux Falls.”

The space previously was Highest Health Chiropractic, which built a new location to the west.

Population numbers within a 2-mile radius of the site “are very impressive, and the activity in the surrounding bustling retail area is a real draw,” according to Ryan Tysdal, vice president of commercial real estate for Van Buskirk Cos., who represented Wingstop in the transaction.

“It’s great seeing a popular brand like Wingstop adding locations in Sioux Falls, providing convenience of additional dining options for the community.”

For now, the franchisees plan to open in Brookings and Fargo and could do additional stores in Sioux Falls, Leslie said.

The goal is to open at 57th Street and Louise Avenue by the end of the year.