Wingstop’s Laura and John Rebello updates the community on it’s new restaurant set to open in Eastie’s Central Square.
By John Lynds
Representatives from the popular Texas-based chicken wing restaurant, Wingstop, stopped by last week’s Eagle Hill Civic Association meeting to update residents on the restaurant and what owners hope to accomplish in Eastie.
Wingstop’s Laura and John Rebello said Wingstop, which has made a name for itself among foodies as a restaurant that serves up some great wings and dipping sauces, is getting close to opening its first Boston location here in the neighborhood.
“We are really excited to be here in East Boston and will open soon in Central Square right next door to the East Boston Social Centers–across from McDonald’s,” said Rebello.
Rebello said Wingstop’s focus on family style dining with a sports theme was a natural fit for the Boston market.
“We all know how serious Boston takes sports so it’s a good combination of great food mixing with a great sports tradition,” said Rebello.
Rebello said he was happy to announce that Wingstop has already hired 25 people from Eastie to work at the new restaurant.
“Out of these 25 individuals most, if not all, are East Boston High School graduates or currently enrolled in the high school so we are really proud to bring jobs to the neighborhood,” said Rebello to applause last Wednesday night.
When Wingstop is ready to open in the next few weeks, Rebello said Eastie’s own Super Bowl Champion Jermaine Wiggins will be on hand to help launch the restaurant.
“We really want to be a part of the East Boston community,” said Laura Rebello. “We have already made contributions to the East Boston Social Centers and look forward to being a partner with East Boston’s sports programs, as well as the annual Kindergarten Parade that we got a chance to see for the first time this year.”
The Rebellos also held an abutters meeting and tour of the new Wingstop Saturday so neighbors could get a sneak peak at the new restaurant.
Wingstop recently opened its first Boston-area location in Medford but the Wingstop’s Central Square location will be the first official Boston franchise. Both the square and Wingstop location are under construction and the new fast food restaurant will add another lunch and dinner option in the newly rehabbed square.
Wingstop began in Dallas and was acquired by Roark Capital in 2010. Wingstop was touted by Technomic as one of the 10 fastest growing restaurant concepts in the United States.
Since opening its first location in Texas in 1994, Wingstop has sold over two billion wings and currently has more than 650 restaurants open or in development in 34 states and Mexico.
Wingstop’s sole focus is on chicken wings according to its menu and website. Patrons will be able to chose between classic wings, boneless strips or crispy tenders. Then patrons can chose from an wide variety of sauces and rubs like, Atomic Mango Habanero, Cajun, Louisiana Rub, Hickory Smoked BBQ, Lemon Pepper, Garlic Parmesan, Hawaiian or Teriyaki.
Wingstop will also serve up sides like fries, beans and coleslaw fresh as well as drinks that can be ordered as a combo with the wings.