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Why CEO Sam Ballas of East Coast Wings & Grill is always trying new thingsWhy CEO Sam Ballas of East Coast Wings & Grill is always trying new things

The casual-dining restaurant is exploring new menu options, rebranding its fast-casual counterpart and launching new prototypes

Leigh Anne Zinsmeister, Managing Editor

June 29, 2023

1 Min Read
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The restaurant industry is always evolving, and it’s crucial for operators to stay ahead of the curve.

That’s why Sam Ballas, CEO of North Carolina-based East Coast Wings & Grill, is constantly learning and trying new things at his casual-dining company. Though the chain doesn’t offer any plant-based menu items, Ballas and his team spent half a day at the recent National Restaurant Association Show exploring such possibilities. He’s also managed a rebranding of the company’s smaller MyFrii concept, and the launching of new, smaller East Coast Wings prototypes, all while keeping his franchisees happy.

Ballas joined NRN managing editor Leigh Anne Zinsmeister for this episode of Take-Away to talk about all of these evolutions and more.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

  • The importance of keeping an open mind

  • The story behind MyFrii’s total rebranding

  • Why operators should always strive to learn new things

  • The importance of focusing on the unit level

  • How to gain the trust of your franchisees

Contact Leigh Anne at [email protected], and Sam Oches at [email protected]

About the Author

Leigh Anne Zinsmeister

Managing Editor

Leigh Anne Zinsmeister is a managing editor for Informa’s Foodservices Vertical, specifically Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Hospitality, and Foodservice Director.  Leigh Anne works on all of the brands’ special reports, including Nation’s Restaurant News’ annual Top 500 report and Restaurant Hospitality’s Best Cocktails and Best Sandwiches contests. She also manages the group’s digital engagement team, and was the managing editor for Supermarket News until December 2024.

Leigh Anne lives in New York City, but also claims Phoenix, Dallas and Cleveland as hometowns. Leigh Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, where she also studied European history. 

Email Leigh Anne at [email protected] 

Leigh Anne Zinsmeister’s experience: 

  • Group Managing Editor, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-present)

  • Group Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (Feb. 2020-Aug. 2021)

  • Digital Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (April 2018-Feb. 2020)

  • Digital Content Producer, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (June 2016-April 2018)

  • Community Moderator, Mail Online (March 2014-June 2016)

  • Wire Editor, Gannett’s Phoenix Design studio (The Arizona Republic, The Reno Gazette-Journal, The Statesman Journal, The Great Falls Tribune, The Visalia Times-Delta, The Tulare Advance Register, The Salinas Californian, The St. George Spectrum, The Desert Sun, The Coloradoan) (Jan. 2012-March 2014)

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