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By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer 

HELENA – Helena recently welcomed its newest eating establishment to the city for residents to enjoy, opening the door for a wide variety of flavors to be had.

Popular chicken wing chain Wingstop made its debut to Helena Road on Monday, April 7, taking the spot located at 253 Helena Road, Suite E. It opened after a few months of transformation following the closure of Papa Murphy’s, which closed its doors at the end of 2023.

With the Wingstop’s opening, Helena Road now holds a Chick-fil-A, Dunkin Donuts, Waffle House and more, providing a variety of eating options for locals to choose from.

Helena City Council member Hewy Woodman expressed his excitement for the new location opening up in a busy Helena area, adding another place for people to grab a bite to eat whether they are a resident or a visitor.

“We are very excited that Wingstop chose to come to Helena, just in time for summer,” Woodman said. “They will add another piece to this new shopping district that will get residents excited by eating locally and capture visitors who are attending our concerts, festivals and sporting events to shop and eat in Helena.”

Woodman attended the restaurant’s opening with excitement, speaking after he was able to order the chain’s signature Lemon Pepper wings with a side of Atomic sauce.

The popular chicken wing establishment was founded in 1994 and has quickly become a franchise that features a variety of boneless and bone-in wing flavors that go along with more items such as its chicken sandwich, seasoned fries and other sides.

Customers can keep their wings plain, but can also have them tossed in flavors like Hawaiian, Garlic Parmesan, Lemon Pepper, Mild, Hickory Smoked BBQ, Sweet Chili Glaze, Spicy Korean Q, Louisiana Rub, Hot Honey Rub, Original Hot, Cajun, Mango Habanero and Atomic. In addition, any chicken sandwich can be made with the wing flavors that are offered.

As a side option, the restaurant also sells different flavorful variations of fries. While those who order can get their fries plain, they can also order Cheese Fries, Louisiana Voodoo Fries and Buffalo Ranch Fries. Customers can also choose to order Cajun Fried Corn as well. 

Wingstop started offering franchises in 1997. By 2002, it had served 1 billion wings at its numerous locations across the nation.

The Helena location is now the 24th in the state of Alabama. It is also the second site in Shelby County, with the first one opening in 2020 in Inverness Corners in North Shelby. The Helena Wingstop is the first take out/to-go location.