Rap Artist E-40 To Open Wingstop Restaurant In The Bay Area

DALLAS, TX. (Top40 Charts/ Wingstop) - Recording artist Earl Stevens, best known as E-40, has signed a franchise agreement with Wingstop Restaurants, Inc. to open a restaurant in Benicia, Calif.

Known for his distinctive voice and rapid lyrical delivery, Stevens has released 12 albums in the past 15 years including three gold albums and one platinum. His latest album, My Ghetto Report Card, features two of E-40's most well-known singles, 'Tell Me When to Go' and 'U and Dat.'

'I was introduced to Wingstop in Dallas and as soon as I tasted the wings I was hooked. I love the food,' said Stevens. 'I chose to open in the Bay Area because this is the soil where I was born and raised, and I still live here to this day. People here are going to love these wings.'

In addition to Wingstop, Stevens owns a Fatburger franchise in Pleasant Hill, Calif. with former NFL player Chester McGlockton.

'We are excited about the partnership between Wingstop and E-40,' said Bruce Evans, vice president of franchise recruitment for Wingstop. 'The Bay Area is a growing market for us and E-40 will help continue that surge. He's a talented musician who has had great success in his business ventures, and we think he'll do great things with his Wingstop restaurant.'

Wingstop has almost 600 locations open or under development nationwide and systemwide sales have grown from $11.9 million in 2000 to $200 million in 2007.

From 2001 and 2005, Wingstop moved up from 336 to 89 on Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 ranking of all leading franchise brands worldwide. The company experienced positive comp store sales for 16 consecutive quarters and earlier this year, announced it sold its one billionth wing.

About Wingstop
Wingstop offers restaurants with a nostalgic, aviation-themed atmosphere where the sole focus is on chicken wings. The chain now serves boneless wing strips that are made from 100 percent all-white meat chicken breast coated with a proprietary batter and breading. Wingstop features nine wing flavors, including Original Hot, Cajun, Atomic, Mild, Teriyaki, Lemon Pepper, Hawaiian, Garlic Parmesan, and Hickory Smoked BBQ. The wings are made-to-order and customers can also choose from homemade side dishes including fresh-cut seasoned fries, bourbon baked beans, pearl potato salad, creamy cole slaw, vegetable sticks, rolls and assorted dipping sauces.