Intangible Assets and Goodwill

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2025

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]


(7)			Intangible Assets and Goodwill

The Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets arose from Wingstop’s acquisition of the equity interests of Wingstop Holdings, Inc. in April 2010, as well as the acquisition of restaurants from franchisees. Goodwill represents the excess of purchase consideration transferred for the respective reporting unit over the fair value of the business at the time of the acquisition.

The following is a summary of goodwill balances and activity (in thousands):


	December 27, 2025		December 28, 2024
Balance, beginning of period	$	74,718	$	67,708
Acquisition of restaurants, net	9,157		7,010
Balance, end of period	$	83,875	$	74,718

Intangible assets, excluding goodwill, consisted of the following (in thousands):


	December 27, 2025		December 28, 2024		Weighted Average Amortization Period (in years)
Intangible assets:
Trademarks	$	32,700	$	32,700
Indefinite-lived assets	32,700		32,700
Customer relationships (1)	26,300		26,300		20.0
Franchise rights (1)	29,979		20,879		7.3


Less: accumulated amortization	(32,106)		(27,814)
Definite-lived assets	24,173		19,365		14.7
Intangible assets, net	$	56,873	$	52,065

(1)Included within Other non-current assets, net within the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Amortization expense for definite-lived intangibles was $4.3 million in fiscal year 2025, $3.3 million in fiscal year 2024, and $2.7 million in fiscal year 2023. Estimated amortization expense, for the five succeeding fiscal years and the aggregate thereafter is (in thousands):


Fiscal year 2026	$	4,950
Fiscal year 2027	4,819
Fiscal year 2028	4,636
Fiscal year 2029	4,332
Fiscal year 2030	2,209
Thereafter	3,227
Total	$	24,173