Every quarter, we honor team members who go above and beyond in their role each day. These exceptional individuals represent our values and work hard to make Wingstop a Great Place to Work®. Megan Sprague, associate manager of public relations, was recently named Team Member of the Quarter. With the company for two and a half years, she has hit the ground running and proven herself – and PR – as an invaluable asset for Wingstop.
This is what some of Megan’s colleagues had to say about her:
“She is literally a boss. I don’t even work with her and I know that. She is way beyond her title and role and is leading the entire PR department, in my opinion. She deserves it. Ask any of the senior leadership in marketing and I’m sure they’d agree.”
“Performs at a level above expectations.”
“She brings energy and a positive attitude.”
“The sky is the limit for her. She has done an amazing job delivering above tenure and expectations.”
Q&A with Megan Sprague
1) What attracted you to Wingstop when you first started?
Outside of the fun nature of the brand, the opportunities for growth and to make a visible impact were huge factors in my decision to join Wingstop. I was stepping into a newly-created role on an extremely lean team, which I saw incredible potential in, and was excited to continue building such a unique, well-loved and successful brand. I’m also addicted to Wingstop fries (with extra seasoning) and ranch, so the thought of being in close proximity to those two things on a daily basis didn’t hurt, either!
2) What do you think are some essential skills all PR professionals should have?
The first one probably goes without saying, but the ability to communicate – interpersonally, verbally, written, you name it – is imperative. Being in such an external-facing role, at any given point you’re working with a broad group of people from a range of organizations and backgrounds, and the image you present is a direct reflection of the brand as much as it is you. Building and maintaining relationships is also a key focus that anyone in PR should have – I can’t tell you how many times I cross paths with someone from the past! Last, but definitely not least, would be the ability to pivot and remain calm in seemingly stressful situations. Things change quickly and come at you when you least expect it, but keeping your cool (and learning from the times when you fall short) is key to keeping decisions thoughtful and strategic.
3) What do you believe has made you successful in your career?
My biggest times of growth have come from situations or circumstances in which I was stretched completely outside of my comfort zone. Had I shied away from those moments, I would’ve missed some amazing opportunities as a result. It’s taken time, but I’ve learned the importance of truly believing in myself and knowing that I am capable, even in those scary moments. I’m never afraid to admit when I need help and am always seeking feedback from valuable sources along the way. I also heavily believe in the power of a strong mentor. My dad has always been my mentor, and not only does he offer an outside perspective, but he also helps guide me through the day to day whenever I need it – from email drafts to tough conversations, he’s there!
4) What is your favorite part of your role?
I love the people I work with. I genuinely look forward to coming to work every day – even on the days where I know things are going to be hectic. I’ve been truly blessed with an amazing team and coach, who together help me embrace the crazy, buckle up for the wild rides, and enjoy everything in between. On top of that, there’s never a dull moment. That in itself is enough to keep someone engaged and on their toes!
5) What does being named team member of the quarter mean to you?
It means everything! I love this brand and it’s an absolute honor to be recognized by my peers.
6) What do you attribute as your most valuable accomplishment at Wingstop?
The PR team, in specific, was in a very interesting place when I arrived at Wingstop. It was clear there were a lot of opportunities for improvement, but it was also clear that before we did anything there was a lot of groundwork to be laid and credibility to be built. You can’t build trust overnight, but you can build it over time by demonstrating thought leadership, consistently delivering quality work, and cultivating meaningful relationships across a variety of groups. Put simply, it’s hard work! The team’s collective effort to demonstrate PR’s value and establish our “seat” at the table is something I’ll forever be proud of.
7) What does good leadership look like to you?
Throughout my career I’ve been incredibly fortunate to learn from many leaders, two outstanding ones in particular – my current boss and my former boss – who both were actually from Wingstop. From them, I’ve learned a strong leader is patient with her people and those around her, has a passion for growing others, recognizes the time investment needed to build amazing teams, values vulnerability, instills confidence, and always drives for clarity. I’m also a huge Brené Brown fan and love gathering as much knowledge from her work as possible.
8) How do you Serve the World Flavor in your role?
PR is responsible for driving awareness and introducing new fans to the amazing flavors of Wingstop. Whether you see a fun integration with a familiar face on social or stop by our food truck to snag some free wings, PR serves as that consumer touchpoint that really allows fans to grow to know and love the brand.
9) Lastly, what’s your favorite wing flavor?
Spicy Korean Q with a healthy side of ranch!
Want to join the Wingstop family? Check out available career opportunities here.
