(SeaPRwire) –   Family Franchise Group Inks Agreement to Bring Full-Service Wing Concept to Florida by Late 2026

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., May 27, 2026 — East Coast Wings + Grill (“ECW+G”), a full-service family dining franchise, is expanding its Southeast presence via a new franchise ownership group to introduce the brand to Tallahassee, Florida. Set to launch in late 2026, the upcoming eatery will be a go-to casual spot for wing enthusiasts, serving over 50 flavors across seven heat intensities, plus burgers, salads, skillets, and shareable dishes.

Who is Behind the Tallahassee Franchise
The Patel family, with diverse cross-industry operational expertise, is behind the agreement:

• Vimal Patel owns a grocery store and gas station in South Carolina, and runs Little Caesars and Tropical Smoothie Café franchises.
• Ajay Patel started his career in business and finance at JPMorgan Chase before shifting to retail and restaurant investments, including owning a liquor store.
• Ankit Patel has owned and managed a range of businesses—including motels and gas stations—plus his latest joint venture with Ajay: owning a liquor store.

As a team, the Patel family is growing their restaurant portfolio with ECW+G to establish a spot where Tallahassee families, college students, and local sports fans can eat, socialize, and bond.

“What caught our attention was the mix of delicious food and a concept that appeals to all,” said Vimal. “Families, students, and friends will all feel at home here, and the food’s quality speaks volumes. Tallahassee is a booming market, so we recognized a solid chance to bring this type of experience to the area.”

Why Florida Is a Top Franchise Growth Market in 2026
These expansion plans coincide with the International Franchise Association (IFA) releasing its annual Franchising Economic Outlook, which indicates Florida will be the second-ranked state in the U.S. for franchise growth in 2026. Major factors fueling this include:

• Sustained population growth across major and mid-sized metro areas
• A business-friendly regulatory landscape
• Increasing consumer demand for premium, full-service food concepts
• A diverse dining audience supported by tourism and college markets

“Our brand operates with great discipline; we enter new growth markets based on unit-level economics and select the right franchise candidates as our key indicators. Florida is a top priority for us as we expand into high-potential communities throughout the Southeast,” stated Sam Ballas, CEO and Founder of ECW+G. “Tallahassee checks all the boxes: a growing population, robust college presence, and a varied dining scene. We’re thrilled to partner with Vimal, Ankit, and Ajay to bring our brand to the state.”

How ECW+G Is Approaching National Growth
“Franchise development takes various forms, and my most successful growth years have been when we outsourced our franchise development team. Teaming up with Dine Growth Group (DGG), led by Chief Development Officer Carrie Evans, has been a fantastic addition,” added Ballas.

Using a disciplined development strategy, ECW+G will keep pursuing strategic, density-focused growth in markets that match its operational and supply chain capabilities across the South and Midwest. Renowned for its award-winning wings (offering over 50 flavors and seven heat levels) plus a carefully designed, family-friendly menu, ECW+G has won multiple awards in recent years for system performance, franchisee satisfaction, and concept innovation. The brand is expanding its regional presence while drawing multi-unit operators looking for a scalable, financially stable restaurant model.

To learn more about ECW+G franchising opportunities, visit www.eastcoastwingsfranchise.com.

ABOUT EAST COAST WINGS + GRILL
East Coast Wings + Grill (ECW+G) is a full-service family dining franchise famous for its Buffalo wings—offering over 50 flavors and seven heat levels—plus a carefully curated menu made to suit every guest. With locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, the brand has received consistent praise for franchisee satisfaction, innovation, culture, system performance, and profitability from Franchise Business Review, Franchise Dictionary Magazine, and other prominent publications. ECW+G is a member of the International Franchise Association, where CEO and Founder Sam Ballas currently serves as chair. For additional details about East Coast Wings + Grill or its franchising options, visit www.eastcoastwingsfranchise.com.

SOURCE East Coast Wings + Grill