While the NFL prepares to crown a new champion in 2010, Wingstop restaurants nationwide are gearing up for its 10th straight record-setting performance on Super Bowl Sunday. More than 5,200 employees will suit up on February 7, when the national chain expects to sell more than 5 million chicken wings by the time the Vince Lombardi Trophy is hoisted that evening.

Last year, Wingstop set a single-day record of just over 4 million wings sold. In addition, almost half of the Wingstop restaurants systemwide broke their all-time weekly sales records during the week leading up to the Super Bowl in 2009, and Wingstop CEO Jim Flynn expects more of the same this year.

“There is no doubt that chicken wings have become a staple at Super Bowl watching parties across the nation,” Flynn says. “And with sports fans placing orders earlier and earlier and also with an increase in online orders, our restaurants are able to handle the big day with little trouble.”

Because of the high demand, Wingstop officials suggest that fans order their wings well in advance of the game by going online to find the location and phone number of the nearest location.

“Don’t wait until the last minute,” Flynn says. “You want to have your wings for the entire day’s activities.”

If Wingstop meets its one-day sales expectations, it will mark the 10th straight year that the national chain has set a sales record on the day of the Super Bowl. From a fan favorite standpoint, Original Hot is expected to be the No. 1 choice on game day, followed closely by Lemon Pepper and Hickory Smoked BBQ.

“Original Hot is the perennial champion when it comes to our nine flavors,” Flynn says of the chain’s top-selling sauce. “And this year we’re offering guests even more variety with the addition of boneless wings, which can be mixed and matched with our traditional bone-in wings.”