Wingstop is about to have chicken lovers questioning everything they thought they knew about wing sauce after revealing plans to put actual Sour Patch Kids candy on its chicken.
The restaurant chain announced on October 13, 2026, that it has partnered with Sour Patch Kids to introduce Wicked Punch, an unusual Halloween-inspired flavor that mixes candy with traditional chicken wings.
And this isn’t just a sauce that tastes like candy. The chicken will actually be topped with Sour Patch Kids Bitz, giving customers something chewy and fruity alongside their savory meal.
The limited-edition offering features a Redberry glaze inspired by the candy’s famous “sour then sweet” flavor combination. That means customers can expect a completely different experience from Wingstop’s usual lineup of seasoned, spicy, and buttery sauces.
The flavor won’t be restricted to traditional wings, either. Wingstop says the combination will be “available across all proteins,” allowing customers to try the candy-inspired creation on different chicken options, including boneless wings and tenders.
While some customers may find the combination questionable, Wingstop’s leadership is standing behind its newest experiment.
“Candy on wings? We know exactly what you’re thinking. But no, seriously, it has no business being this good,” Wingstop CEO Michael Skipworth said while introducing the collaboration.
“It may sound unexpected, but one bite is all it takes to understand why this one is a treat.”
The company appears well aware that putting candy on chicken could raise eyebrows. Its announcement described the creation as “Halloween’s most unhinged flavor” and said its flavor experts were taking things “somewhere no one saw coming.”
The announcement also called the finished product “a mashup that is equal parts trick, treat and dare.”
However, the idea isn’t entirely disconnected from traditional wing flavors. Sweet and savory combinations have long been popular, with sauces like honey barbecue and sweet chili delivering sugary notes alongside meat. Wicked Punch takes that concept further by adding the sour flavor and chewy texture of candy.
For Sour Patch Kids, the partnership represents an opportunity to bring its recognizable flavor beyond the candy aisle.
The brand’s parent company, Mondelēz International, is embracing the unconventional pairing as part of its Halloween marketing.
A company representative explained that the Sour Patch Kids “brand decided candy wasn’t enough” this year.
“Transforming our signature SOUR THEN SWEET flavors into a wing flavor is exactly the kind of unexpected mischief our fans love,” the representative said.
The company believes the collaboration “brings both brands together in a way that is surprising, playful and delicious.”
The wings are connected to Sour Patch Kids’ 13 Days of Mischief, a seasonal campaign running from October 19 through October 31.
During the campaign, the candy company plans to encourage followers to “sour-fy” their loved ones by “unleashing a burst of mischief” through playful surprises and social media activities.
Wingstop isn’t the only place where Sour Patch Kids is experimenting this Halloween. The candy maker is also promoting Monster Parts, featuring black raspberry, orange, and watermelon flavors, along with Tricksters candies designed to look like one flavor while tasting like another.
Its Glow Ups Ghosts candies bring another unusual twist, featuring orange and peach flavors with edible confetti that glows under black light.
Meanwhile, Wingstop is using Wicked Punch to give customers another reason to join Club Wingstop, its loyalty program launched in May 2026.
Members will receive early access to the new flavor beginning October 23, four days before its nationwide debut on October 27.
The loyalty program already offers customers opportunities to earn and share points, access exclusive merchandise, and participate in members-only experiences. Reality star Maura Higgins previously helped promote its launch.
Customers who aren’t members can purchase Wicked Punch through Wingstop’s website or mobile app once the general release begins. The flavor will only be offered for a limited time at participating U.S. locations while supplies last.
Wingstop’s official announcement says the flavor will disappear after November 5, giving customers a brief window to decide whether candy-covered chicken deserves a spot in their regular rotation.
Whether Wicked Punch becomes an unexpected favorite or a one-time curiosity, one thing is certain: Wingstop is about to find out how far chicken lovers are willing to go for a new flavor.