About Us

How America’s Best Wings Franchise Was Born

East Coast Wings + Grill was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where a small wing restaurant concept opened in 1995. In 2001, Founder and CEO Sam Ballas acquired the original restaurant and evolved it into the full-service, family-friendly wing and grill concept known today.

Sam had a clear vision from the start: build something different. Instead of building the brand around beer sales or the traditional bar scene, Sam set out to create a place where bold wings, fresh food, and a genuinely welcoming dining experience could bring people together.

By 2002, growing guest demand laid the foundation for the East Coast Wings + Grill franchise system. Today, the brand continues to grow as a full-service wing and grill franchise built around flavor variety, family-friendly dining, and operator-focused systems.

A Full-Service Wing Franchise Built Beyond Wings

East Coast Wings + Grill is best known for its Buffalo-style wings, served bone-in or boneless and tossed in national award-winning sauces. With 50+ wing flavors and seven heat levels, guests can customize their order to match their taste. From mild and classic to bold and extra hot, there’s something for everyone at the table!

But the menu goes well beyond the signature wings. Fresh salads, signature burgers, wraps, sandwiches, shareables, and craft beer give guests more reasons to come back, whether it’s a family dinner, a casual lunch, game-day gathering, or just  a quick takeout order.

Driven by Unit Level Economics®

East Coast Wings + Grill’s franchise philosophy is centered on Driven by Unit Level Economics®, a practical approach to building a franchise system around operational discipline, franchisee support, and long-term system health.

That philosophy shows up in three core priorities:

• Franchisee Profitability: Prioritizing EBITDA and financial discipline so every franchise owner is set up to run a strong, profitable business.
• Strategic Expansion: Expanding strategically in markets where the brand can build regional strength and support franchise owners effectively.
• Operational Consistency: Creating consistency through training, operations, marketing, supply chain support, and field guidance.

Hear From East Coast Wings + Grill CEO Sam Ballas

Learn more about the brand’s DNA, franchise philosophy, and focus on customer experience from East Coast Wings + Grill CEO Sam Ballas.

Customer Experience at East Coast Wings + Grill

Hear how East Coast Wings + Grill approaches restaurant trends, guest expectations, and the customer experience that helps shape its full-service franchise model.