Wingstop’s latest chicken wing experiment is already getting cooked by social media users, and one food critic is dragging Rick Ross into the mess while another creator has taken things as far as running the meal over with a vehicle.
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The fast-food chain’s new Sour Patch Kids Wicked Punch flavor is making its rounds online after becoming available to select customers on October 23. However, some of the first viral reactions suggest the candy-covered chicken is not winning everybody over.Emmy Award-winning voice actor, writer, and social media food critic Stefan Johnson was among those willing to give the unusual combination a chance. Known for his entertaining food reviews and followed by more than 2 million people on Instagram, Johnson wasted no time questioning who was responsible for the creation.
“Did Rick Ross fat [expletive] do this?” Johnson asked before taking his first bite.
Unfortunately for Wingstop, his reaction wasn’t exactly the glowing endorsement the company might have hoped for.
“Absolutely the [expletive] not,” Johnson declared after tasting the chicken.
He went on to compare the strange combination to a chicken wing “wrapped in Fruit by the Foot,” referencing the popular fruity snack. The comparison captured his biggest issue with the flavor, which combines traditional fried chicken with an unexpectedly candy-like coating.
Interestingly, Johnson’s decision to name-drop Rick Ross comes as the rapper has been addressing questions about his longtime Wingstop franchise business. Ross recently revealed that he has shifted his investment strategy away from operating numerous franchise locations and toward the stock market. “My game went from more franchising to stocks,” he explained, adding, “The stock game is a whole nother game.” His comments followed reports that franchise records showed his family-linked Boss Wings companies had gone from 21 operating locations in 2016 to just one by the end of 2025. Despite the changes, Ross maintains that he still supports Wingstop, a brand he has promoted for years. There is no indication he had anything to do with developing the Sour Patch Kids flavor.
Meanwhile, another viral content creator, Kodak Ke, apparently decided that simply criticizing the wings wasn’t enough.
After tasting the candy-coated chicken, the creator took the meal outside and proceeded to run it over with a vehicle, turning an ordinary food review into a dramatic rejection.
“Wing reall need to [expletive] stop,” the creator stated.
The video reportedly attracted nearly 800,000 views in just one day, adding to the online attention surrounding Wingstop’s questionable new flavor combination.
However, the negative reactions don’t necessarily represent everyone’s experience. Other early reviews have been more favorable, with some food writers praising the fruity glaze and comparing the sweet, sticky coating to flavors typically found on Asian-inspired chicken dishes.
The controversy follows Wingstop’s October 13 announcement that it was partnering with Sour Patch Kids to introduce Wicked Punch, a limited-edition Halloween flavor designed to bring the candy brand’s famous sour-then-sweet experience to the restaurant’s menu.
The creation features a bright Redberry glaze finished with actual Sour Patch Kids Bitz sprinkled over the chicken. Rather than simply borrowing the candy’s flavor, Wingstop decided to incorporate real candy pieces into the finished product.
Customers can choose the flavor across the chain’s chicken offerings, including traditional wings, boneless wings, and tenders.
Wingstop President and CEO Michael Skipworth previously defended the unconventional creation.
“Candy on wings? We know exactly what you’re thinking. But no, seriously, it has no business being this good,” he said when announcing the collaboration.
The launch is also part of Sour Patch Kids’ 13 Days of Mischief Halloween campaign, which encourages fans to embrace unexpected surprises and playful tricks throughout the spooky season.
Club Wingstop members received early access on October 23, while the flavor is scheduled to roll out nationwide at participating locations on October 27. The limited-time promotion continues through November 5, while supplies last.
For now, Wingstop has successfully created a conversation around its newest menu item. Whether that attention translates into repeat orders is another question.
