Wingstop signs at Manchester Arndale
The fast-growing chicken brand has agreed terms on a five-year lease, taking the 5,928 sq ft former Yo Sushi unit.
Established in Texas in 1994, Wingstop launched in the UK market in 2018, and into Ireland last year, and has been in expansion mode since, now operating more than 85 locations.
Wingstop UKI’s arrival follows a trio of lease renewals from major UK retailers at the Arndale, with Argos and Lush signing for a further five years each.
Lovisa has committed to a further 10 years at the retail destination, continuing to occupy a 631 sq ft unit.
The Arndale recorded more than 100,000 sq ft of new lettings from January to December 2025.
Scott Linard, portfolio manager for M&G Real Estate, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Wingstop to our vibrant F&B offer; an addition we’re sure will resonate with our younger visitors.
“With the additions of popular restaurant chains like Wingstop, coupled with the arrival of new retailers such as Arc’teryx, Alo Yoga, Pro:Direct and Sephora, we are strategically creating a destination where people across the North West and beyond want to spend their time.”
Steve Gray, head of European retail asset management at Global Mutual, said: “In-demand operators like this help create energy and momentum that allows the brands across the scheme to thrive, driving increased footfall, longer dwell times and a more compelling offer for visitors.”
Metis Real Estate and Time Retail Partners are Manchester Arndale’s retained letting agents.
When I see an article about the Arndale centre I get a glimmer of hope that a decision has been made to demolish the centre and replace it with something more attractive and appropriate. Unfortunately I’m always left disappointed.
By Anonymous
Anon 7.04……..not likely to happen in your lifetime so you will be continually disappointed
By Jimmy85
Same here Anon. With all the development and improvement in Manchester in recent years, the Arndale Centre, Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens remain a real stain on the reputation of the city and can be just a horrible environment to walk around and experience on a regular basis. The Arndale is probably the knottiest problem of the lot but offers the greatest opportunity to transform and improve the city centre. Something must be done.
By Arndale sceptic
“Fast-growing chicken brand…” Another US company looking for the cheapest and fastest way to make a profit.
By Mr McOrganic
The Arndale won’t be going anywhere – it’s generally fully let to mostly blue-chip tenants, it’s busy and not usually horrible at all from a shopping point of view in a city where the weather can be unhelpful.
The attempt to pivot to leisure and food in parts isn’t very convincing (and more cheap chicken bits sold at premium prices?) but there isn’t ever going to be a business case for major changes based on a small minority being sniffy about shopping centres, and no problem here of big retailers pulling out of secondary retail centres leaving vacancies that won’t be filled.
I’d be very happy to see the Food Court bridge across Market Street gone, but again who would pay for this unless perhaps the Boots block could be redeveloped independently for something tall?
By Mallrat
I like tiny fluffy chickens. They are cute. Stop eating them.
By Anonymous
I agree with all the points made about the Arndale centre. It’s an ugly relic of the 1970s but also a commercial success so there is little incentive for the owners to demolish and rebuild the centre. I think the best we can hope for is for the council to work with the owners to make some major improvements. The food court above Market Street should definitely be demolished, at the same time the front of the centre should be moved back making Market Street wider but my number one priority would be the removal of the incredibly ugly High Street multi storey carpark.
By Anonymous
KFC, Wendy’s, Popeyes and McDonald’s is American company make UK get cheap and get fat which is completely unacceptable for humans conditions. Need to stop it…Had enough 👍🏻
By G J Kitchener