Atomic Wings, the New York-born fast-casual wing chain, said it plans to open more than 20 locations in 2026, a pace that would lift its total unit count to roughly 45 stores by year-end — representing as much as 100% growth against its current 24-location base.
The company, which positions itself on fresh, never-frozen chicken wings and a broad flavor lineup, is concentrating the bulk of its new-unit pipeline in New York and New Jersey, the markets where the brand first established its customer base. No financial terms, franchise fees, or capital-investment figures were disclosed in connection with the expansion announcement.
The push arrives as the U.S. chicken wing segment continues to draw franchisee interest despite persistent commodity-cost volatility. Bone-in wing prices have oscillated sharply over the past three years, pressuring margins for operators that source fresh rather than frozen product — a positioning choice Atomic Wings has made central to its brand identity. Rapid unit expansion at smaller chains often signals a franchise-led growth model, which can accelerate store counts while distributing real-estate and build-out risk to individual operators. Atomic Wings has not specified the split between company-owned and franchised locations in its 2026 pipeline, though regional fast-casual concepts of its size typically rely heavily on franchise development to fund accelerated rollouts of this scale. The New York metropolitan area remains one of the most competitive — and highest-cost — quick-service markets in the country, a dynamic that will test unit economics as the brand scales. For additional context on franchise-driven growth strategies reshaping the wing category, see our coverage of emerging franchise models in fast casual and commodity risk in the chicken supply chain.
AtomicWings did not provide same-store sales data, systemwide revenue figures, or a specific opening timeline for individual markets. The brand's ability to sustain momentum beyond its core tri-state footprint will be a key indicator of whether its regional identity can translate into a broader national concept.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.