Wingstop, a Dallas-based chain of more than 1,000 nostalgic, aviation-themed restaurants where the focus is on chicken wings, is coming to Westdale.

The 1,700-square-foot Cedar Rapids Wingstop, which is expected to open in late September and employ about 30 people, will be the fast-growing chain's first location in Iowa.

"Our store number will be 1,067," said Brent Joens, who owns a Wingstop franchise with his brother, Justin Joens. "After the company had its initial public offering several weeks ago, it had over 260 requests for franchise information.

"Wingstop is looking to get to 2,500 restaurants, and it seems like that's a reasonable goal."

Joens, a Cedar Rapids native, became familiar with Wingstop while living in Texas for the Past 14 years.

"When I met the Wingstop franchisee who operated the stores where I was living, he just ranted and raved about the company," Joens said. "My brother, Justin, and I spent a couple of days at Wingstop's corporate headquarters and fell in love with the company's ideas and goals."

Joens said the decision to lease space at Westdale was based on dining population and travel pattern research.

"With Applebee's, IHOP, Panera Bread, Texas Roadhouse and Wendy's across the street, we felt it will be a destination spot for people to eat," Joens said.