Work underway on THREE big-name chains at Basildon's Festival Leisure Park
AN AMERICAN fast food chain famous for its 'legendary' wings has announced it is opening at Festival Leisure Park as work begins on site.
Wingstop, which sells chicken wings across the world, will open in July in the former Frankie and Benny's and workers are already carrying out a renovation.
It comes as work progresses rapidly to build new Costa and Wendy's drive-thru restaurants on the car park.
Both coffee giant Costa and American burger chain Wendy's are due to open in Autumn, while Wingstop will open 'at the end of July'.
Upgrades - Construction well underway on the Wendy's and Costa drive-thrus on the same site. (Image: Oliver Partridge) The three big name chains will join Cineworld, Hollywood Bowl, Slim Chicken, Nandos and more at the popular leisure park.
Known for their signature chicken wings, the Wingstop plan is already generating a buzz among residents.
Jake Critoph, a resident who was at the leisure park yesterday, said: 'I'm buzzing for this to open, there's only a few in like Lakeside, Chelmsford and I think Southend, so a closer one is great news.'
Couple Alfie and Leah Turner also praised the latest addition to Festival Leisure. Alfie said: 'Wingstop sounds banging, we can't wait.'
Change - The iconic Wingstop iconography slowly replacing the former Frankie & Bennies. (Image: Oliver Partridge) Lilian Eldridge and her daughter Daisy are frequent visitors to the cinema and looking forward to more food options.
Lillian said: 'We come here a fair bit for the cinema, so more food options will be cool - but I don't think we've ever tried Wingstop.'
With Wingstop joining other popular chicken restaurants like Slim Chicken and Nando's on the site, both Wingstop themselves and the Festival Leisure Park are promising to deliver a unique experience to visitors.
Malachy O'Keeffe, head of marketing at Wingstop, said: 'We're bringing bold, unforgettable flavours to Festival Leisure Park this July, from our crave-worthy wings to our range of milkshakes, our menu is built for those who don't settle for ordinary.
'Get ready, flavour is on its way.'
Matthew Chambers, centre manager at Festival Leisure Park, added: 'We're thrilled to announce Wingstop's upcoming arrival to Festival Leisure Park, it's set to be a must-visit on your trip to us this summer.'
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