From Bricks to Billions: How a Construction Worker Built a $532 million Wingstop empire
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A £400 million ($532 million) takeover deal for teh UK arm of Wingstop-the American fried chicken chain favored by celebrities like Kylie Jenner-marks the culmination of an remarkable journey for Tom Grogan, who began his career lugging bricks on a Birmingham building site for just £30 ($40) a day. Grogan,alongside cofounders Herman Sahota and Saul Lewin,defied the odds,transforming a cold email into a fast-food success story.
The Unconventional Path of a Millennial Entrepreneur
Grogan’s path diverged from the traditional route at age 16, when he opted to enter the trades rather of pursuing university. Like many members of Gen Z today, he believed practical experience held more value than formal education. “Unless you want to be a doctor or a lawyer, university is a waste of time,” Grogan stated, emphasizing the importance of real-world learning. For two years, he worked as a laborer, a period he credits with shaping his work ethic and providing a crucial foundation. He felt a desire “to do something more with my life.”
from real Estate to Fried Chicken: The Birth of Wingstop UK
grogan’s real estate career ultimately connected him with Sahota and Lewin, the partners who would help him realise his ambition to bring Wingstop to the UK. The trio identified a gap in the British fast-food market, recognizing the potential of the U.S. chain’s cult following. Seven years ago, thay decided to take a leap of faith and pursue a franchise.
The $532 Million Bet: One Email and 50 Rejections
The initial spark came from an unexpected source: a Rick Ross song that mentioned Wingstop. Intrigued, Grogan sent a cold email to Wingstop HQ in Texas in September 2016. “Hey, you’ve got no presence in Europe. We’d love to launch the brand in the UK,” he wrote, admitting it was a “punt” with no concrete plan. To his surprise,the U.S. team responded positively. Convincing them, however, was another challenge. The team successfully argued they could secure funding and build a capable team, despite their lack of hospitality experience. “We had identified a market gap,” Grogan explained. “No one in the UK food-and-beverage world was speaking authentically to younger consumers the way brands like Gymshark and Nando’s were.”
Securing investment proved arduous. The founders faced 50 rejections before finally securing a “yes.” “Three young men with no experience in hospitality, ultimately trying to pitch a brand, that no one in Europe had really heard of at that time-that’s a huge red flag,” Grogan recalled. Each rejection, however, served as a learning chance. “Ultimately, by the 50th presentation, a lot of the concerns that early investors had raised had either been figured out or we had an answer for.”
Scaling to Success and a Landmark Takeover
The team’s persistence paid off. They secured a location for their flagship restaurant in London’s West End, bolstering their credibility with potential investors. They built the UK Wingstop brand from the ground up, mirroring the U.S. strategy of targeting Gen Z and millennial consumers through social media and celebrity endorsements. Today, Wingstop UK boasts 57 locations.
Just before the New Year,the trio sold a majority stake in Lemon Pepper Holdings,Wingstop UK’s parent company,to Californian private equity firm Sixth Street in a deal valued at £400 million ($532 million). Sixth Street has already announced plans to expand the UK presence to 200 sites within the next five years, marking one of the largest takeovers in british restaurant history.
Grogan, now 35, has realized a considerable windfall from the sale. Reflecting on his journey from the construction site to a nine-figure payday, he advocates for the value of practical experience. “Real-world experience-not lectures-shapes success.”
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