SOUTH LOOP — Wingstop is the latest chain restaurant moving into the South Loop.
The Dallas-based purveyor of chicken wings and strips will open a new restaurant at 11 a.m. Wednesday at 500 W. Roosevelt Road, says Faisal Merchant, the restaurant's franchisee.
Those who stop by the 29-seat restaurant between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday will get a coupon for five free wings with any wing purchase, Merchant said.
The Wingstop near Southgate Market will follow Downtown openings in Printers Row and the Gold Coast. Once open, the restaurant will be the latest among chain restaurants that have clustered recently in the area around Roosevelt Road and the Chicago River, and compete directly against other chicken chains that have cooped up nearby.
Buffalo Wild Wings opened last year at 513 W. Taylor St. in the Maxwell, while South African import Nando's has a new restaurant in The Shops at Roosevelt Collection, 1005 S. Delano Court.
Merchant, who owns the Dunkin' Donuts near his new Wingstop, said his restaurant is more of a "fast-casual" takeout place than a sports bar. The wings are never frozen and are cooked to order.
Wingstop, which has 16 restaurants in the city, covers its chicken with 11 different sauces. The restaurant opening Wednesday in the South Loop will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily, with parking available on the site. The Wingstop is replacing a shuttered dry cleaner, Merchant said.
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