East Coast Wings & Grill and US Foods, one of America’s leading foodservice distributors, have announced a formal alliance for servicing East Coast Wings & Grill’s growth plans. The alliance will allow East Coast Wings & Grill to maximize its efforts of controlling cost of goods along with their product line, as well as protect new franchisees in markets as the Winston-Salem-based chain is in the process of developing new markets nation wide.
“For more than a year, we have researched all the major food distributors, along with some independents and regional ones, looking for the right partnership,” said Tom Scalese, Executive Vice President of Operations for East Coast Wings & Grill. “As our brand drives bottom line unit economics, we have to assure our biggest expense is manageable to our system and accountability. As we begin our national development, such as Texas, Georgia, Florida and Kentucky, we want to protect our current and new franchisees from inconsistency’s and price inflation. Although we have seen small increases, we have managed to stay extremely competitive in our cost of goods. US Foods showed us a team of strategic partners that will help us achieve our desired objectives.”
With more than 250,000 customers throughout the United States, including numerous multi-unit restaurants and healthcare facilities, US Foods’ Charlotte Division will serve as the main distribution division for East Coast Wings & Grill’s restaurants in the Southeast.
“East Coast Wings and Grill continues to expand throughout the Southeast and beyond and we are thrilled to be able to support them as they grow,” said Mahmoud Sadighi, President of US Foods’ Charlotte Division. “We are committed to providing customers like East Coast Wings & Grill with unique and innovative products and business solutions that help them stand out from the crowd and keep diners coming back for more.”
The partnership marks a significant milestone for a company that began franchising in 2004 and has already grown to a total of 23 restaurants throughout North and South Carolina. Known for its 75 different flavors of jumbo chicken wings offered in 675 combinations, East Coast Wings & Grill plans to add up to 100 restaurants during the next five years, thanks to several area development agreements that the company has already sealed with individuals who have purchased the rights to open locations in specific territories through out the nation.
“Our development strategy is in laser-like mode. We do not drive unit count; we develop franchisees and unit economics. It is this style of franchise system, which has attracted the quality of new franchisees and encouraged our existing franchisees to develop additional markets. Assuring our food distributor fits our style of management and it’s accountability was extremely important, ” said Sam G. Ballas, CEO for East Coast Wings & Grill.
East Coast Wings & Grill, a fast growing casual dining buffalo wing concept, has 23 operating locations, 6 currently in construction, and an additional 60 plus sold locations throughout the Southeast, Southwest and Midwest. The franchise not only caters to the chicken wing lover by offering 75 different flavors of jumbo chicken wings in nine heat indexes, but also serves salads, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, ribs and more, all using fresh not frozen ingredients.
For information on East Coast Wings & Grill franchise opportunities, please visit www.eastcoastwingsfranchise.com.
With more than $20 billion in annual revenue, US Foods is the 10th largest private company in America. As one of America’s great food companies and leading distributors, US Foods is Keeping Kitchens Cooking and making life easier for more than 250,000 customers, including independent and multi-unit restaurants, healthcare and hospitality entities, government and educational institutions. The company offers more than 350,000 products, including high-quality, exclusive brands such as the innovative Chef’s Line, a time-saving, chef-inspired line of scratch-quality products, and Rykoff Sexton, a premium line of specialty ingredients sourced from around the world. US Foods also showcases its innovative food culture through The Scoop, a quarterly launch of new, on-trend products designed to make customers more successful. The company proudly employs approximately 25,000 people in more than 60 locations nationwide. US Foods is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., and jointly owned by funds managed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Inc. and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Discover more at www.usfoods.com.
