Burgeoning Franchise Bucks Casual Dining Trends with Consistent Strong Unit Level Economics
East Coast Wings + Grill, a growing casual dining franchise acclaimed for its wide variety of nationally award-winning buffalo wing flavors made-to-order with the freshest ingredients, has closed out the first half of 2017 with same store sales up 18.5 percent (through June 30) and guest count up 13 percent.
Company executives attribute the notable gains to the following:
- The “East Coast Wings + Grill 2.0” initiative, a comprehensive brand reinvention announced earlier this year.
- A three-phase marketing strategy producing tangible results after just two completed phases.
“I’m ecstatic of our system’s execution of strategies in 2016 and 2017 that contributed to a positive same-store sales impact,” said CEO & President Sam Ballas. “East Coast Wings + Grill represents the untold story of casual dining. We are bucking the trend in the segment. With our focus on unit level economics and related proprietary procedures, we’re confident of continued strong performance. This year we’ve also elevated our intellectual capital by recruiting industry titans such as Executive VP of Operations Mark Lyso to our team. His experience will only further drive growth and improve upon the in-store experience for guests,” Ballas added.
Expanding with sleek new design
With more than 60 locations currently operating or in various stages of development, East Coast Wings + Grill plans to open 12 locations by year end 2018. All new locations will feature the sleek new East Coast Wings + Grill 2.0 design expansion continues through Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Offering a franchise opportunity that revolves around strong unit level economics, franchisees can expect an initial investment ranging from $650,000 to $1,000,000.
“I am not surprised at the increased guest counts and stellar performance stores are showing so far this year,” said Mark Lyso, who recently joined East Coast Wings + Grill as Executive Vice President of Operations. “I found sophisticated systems and platforms in place here which many brands over 100+ units have not even initiated. With a forward-thinking leadership team, we’re poised to do some remarkable things in the near future.”
Known for its wide variety of buffalo wings, East Coast Wings + Grill offers nationally award-winning wing sauces that are mixed to order with the freshest ingredients. Inspired by different cultures—The Islands, Tex Mex, Classic American, Asian, Southern BBQ, European, Bayou and more—at East Coast Wings + Grill, community members can enjoy dozens of flavors of chicken wings and choose from nine heat intensities, resulting in hundreds of possible combinations that can be added to most entrees and of course, wings. While wings remain a staple, the restaurant’s menu also includes delicious burgers, salads, sandwiches and more.
Based in North Carolina, East Coast Wings + Grill is a casual family dining franchise that puts the spotlight on buffalo wings. With more than 60 locations currently operating or in various stages of development, the burgeoning franchise caters to chicken wing lovers by offering dozens of varying wing flavors that can be paired with nine heat intensities. With numerous awards and accolades, the franchise has been noted on Franchise Business Review’s “Top Food Franchise” 2012-17, Restaurant Business Magazine’s “Future 50” list of the fastest-growing U.S. mid-size restaurant chains, Franchise Times Magazine’s “Top 200+” list, Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 200” Food Franchises, among more. The concept has also been recognized by The Franchise Grade and Franchise Business Review for transparency during the franchise sales process, franchisee support and overall franchisee satisfaction. For more information about East Coast Wings + Grill or its franchise opportunities, visit www.eastcoastwings.com or www.eastcoastwingsfranchise.com.
