How to Finance an East Coast Wings + Grill Franchise: Key Costs
By Marc Cornella
An East Coast Wings + Grill franchise loan funds a full-service, sit-down wing restaurant with a bar, a large kitchen line and a dining room built for game days, which makes it a bigger project than a counter-service wing shop. Knowing how the brand’s published fees, its $1 million net worth expectation and its SBA Franchise Directory listing fit together will help you build a financing plan that a lender can approve.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by East Coast Wings + Grill; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document and website can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice. Review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant before you sign.
East Coast Wings + Grill Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Franchisor: East Coast Wings Corporation, based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, led by founder and CEO Sam Ballas
- Initial franchise fee: $40,000, according to the franchisor’s franchise website
- Royalty: 5% of gross sales
- Marketing fund: 2% of gross sales
- Estimated initial investment: $443,400 to $1,257,300, per the franchise website’s FAQ
- Net worth: the franchisor lists $1 million among its requirements
- System size: the company reported more than 50 locations open or in development nationwide in January 2025
- Financial performance: the franchisor’s materials refer to an Item 19 financial performance representation in its FDD
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as East Coast Wings & Grill under code S0561, with no special directory notes
What Is East Coast Wings + Grill?
East Coast Wings + Grill was established in North Carolina and, in the franchisor’s words, grew under Sam Ballas from a single wing restaurant into a super-regional franchise brand. The menu is built around wings tossed in more than 55 flavors, alongside burgers, salads and other grill items, served in a casual setting with a full bar and plenty of televisions.
Positioning. The brand sits in casual dining rather than quick service. Guests order from servers and often stay for a game, which means more space, a liquor license and more staff than a takeout wing shop, and that drives both the investment range and the underwriting.
Growth and support. In January 2025 the company said it had more than 50 locations open or in development and added day-to-day support through a National Franchise Support Center in 2024. Its support list covers training, marketing, operations, supply chain management, culinary innovation and financial guidance.
Why lenders view it the way they do. Lenders see an established, SBA-listed brand with a clearly published fee structure. They also know full-service restaurants with bars carry higher labor, insurance and build-out costs, so a strong East Coast Wings + Grill franchise loan request shows both a solid site and real restaurant management ability.
East Coast Wings + Grill Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. The franchisor’s website lists a $40,000 franchise fee. Item 5 of the current FDD confirms the amount, when it is due and whether any reduced fee applies to additional restaurants or to participants in the company’s incentive program.
Real estate and build-out. Most franchisees lease their space. Build-out for a bar-and-grill concept usually means a full commercial kitchen with ventilation hoods and fire suppression, grease management, walk-in coolers, a bar with draft beer lines and plumbing, restrooms, a dining room sized for groups and an outdoor patio where the site allows. The franchisor has published commentary explaining why second-generation restaurant space does not always make sense, which is a useful reminder that a cheaper existing space can still need expensive changes to fit the brand’s layout.
Equipment and FF&E. Fryers are central to a wing kitchen, along with grills, sauce stations, refrigerated prep tables, dish machines, bar coolers and glass washers, ice machines, televisions and audio, point-of-sale terminals, furniture and décor.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening food and liquor inventory, permits and the liquor license, training travel, pre-opening payroll, grand opening marketing and reserves for the first months.
Total investment. The franchisor’s FAQ estimates the initial investment at $443,400 to $1,257,300. The spread reflects site size, the condition of the space and local construction costs. When you receive the FDD, check that the Item 7 line items add up to the stated total. Typical categories include:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and rent before opening
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Kitchen and bar equipment
- Furniture, fixtures, televisions and décor
- Signage
- Opening food, beverage and supply inventory
- Liquor license, permits and insurance deposits
- Training expenses and grand opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty. The franchisor lists a royalty of 5% of gross sales, paid for ongoing support and use of the system.
Marketing fund. Franchisees also pay a 2% marketing fund fee on gross sales. Item 6 of the FDD will show whether any separate local advertising spending is required on top of the fund contribution, along with technology, software, transfer and renewal fees.
Remodels and refreshes. Ask what the franchise agreement requires for remodels and technology updates over the term, and when those obligations are triggered.
How lenders factor these costs in. Together, the royalty and marketing fund take 7% of gross sales before rent, labor, food and beverage costs or debt payments. Lenders deduct these fees in their cash flow projections and then test whether the remaining cash flow comfortably covers the proposed loan payments. Overstating sales or understating occupancy costs is the fastest way to make a deal look better on paper than it will perform.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchisor’s website lists a $40,000 franchise fee and $1 million in net worth among its requirements, along with the 5% royalty and 2% marketing fund. Its inquiry form asks candidates to report their net worth and liquid assets, and the development team reviews that information early in the process.
Experience. The franchisor targets independent restaurant owners, franchise-modeled food operators and multi-unit operators in its incentive program, which signals the kind of hospitality background it values. Even where prior restaurant ownership is not mandatory, lenders will expect you or a committed general manager to have real experience running a full-service restaurant and bar.
The approval process. Expect an inquiry, FDD review, calls with existing owners, financial qualification and site review before signing. Line up your East Coast Wings + Grill franchise loan while you are still in discovery so financing and franchise approval move together.
Ways to Own an East Coast Wings + Grill
A new restaurant. Opening a new location means financing the full build-out, equipment, fee and working capital, with projections instead of history. Lenders lean hard on the site, the lease and your operating experience. See our page on restaurant start-up financing for how these loans are structured.
Converting an existing restaurant. The franchisor has promoted a limited-time incentive program for independent restaurant owners and other food operators looking to expand, including guidance, coaching and priority consideration for new locations. If you already own a restaurant building or lease, converting it can lower build-out costs, though you will still need to meet brand standards. Learn how lenders approach conversion franchise financing.
Buying an existing location. A resale gives a lender actual sales and expense history to underwrite. The buyer pays for the business assets and goodwill, takes an assignment or new lease and needs franchisor approval of the transfer. Our article on buying a franchise resale covers transfer approval, valuation and timing.
Financing Options for an East Coast Wings + Grill Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory, the SBA 7(a) loan program is a natural fit for many new restaurants and resales. A single 7(a) loan can cover leasehold improvements, equipment, the franchise fee, opening inventory and working capital.
SBA 504 loans. If you are buying or building a freestanding restaurant, an SBA 504 loan can finance the land and building, and in some cases long-lived equipment, with long-term fixed-rate financing. Owners who lease their space usually rely on 7(a) instead.
Conventional term loans. Owners with strong liquidity, collateral and operating history, especially those adding locations, may prefer a conventional business loan, with terms that vary by lender.
Equipment financing. Fryers, grills, refrigeration, bar equipment, televisions and point-of-sale systems can be financed separately so cash is preserved for build-out and opening costs. Explore restaurant equipment financing and leasing options.
Working capital and lines of credit. Wing restaurants feel swings from football season and holidays, and wing prices can move sharply. A reserve or line of credit helps cover payroll and inventory through slower stretches and the ramp-up after opening. See our restaurant working capital solutions.
Seller financing on resales. When buying an existing location, a seller may agree to carry part of the price. A seller note is typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA and other loan programs may limit how it is structured, so raise it with your lender early.
SBA Loans for East Coast Wings + Grill Franchisees
SBA lenders rely on the SBA Franchise Directory to confirm that a brand’s franchise agreement has been reviewed for SBA eligibility. East Coast Wings + Grill appears on the directory as “East Coast Wings & Grill” under code S0561, and the listing carries no special notes or addendum requirements. In plain English, that means an SBA lender can move straight to evaluating you, your site and your projections without extra brand-specific conditions.
A listing does not approve any borrower; each loan still depends on credit, equity injection, collateral and cash flow. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
Application tips. Give the lender the current FDD, a lease or letter of intent, contractor bids and a detailed business plan. Run early payment scenarios with our SBA loan calculator, which is for planning only and is not an offer or approval.
How Lenders Evaluate an East Coast Wings + Grill Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a credit review, personal tax returns, a personal financial statement and a personal guarantee from each significant owner.
Net worth and liquidity. The franchisor’s $1 million net worth expectation is a floor for approval, not a substitute for cash. Lenders want to see your equity injection come from documented, liquid sources and to see reserves left over after closing.
Industry and management experience. Running a bar-and-grill means managing servers, cooks and bartenders and controlling food and pour costs. Prior restaurant management, yours or a general manager’s, strengthens a request considerably.
Business plan and projections. Projections should reflect the brand’s 5% royalty and 2% marketing fund, realistic labor for a full-service model, wing price volatility, liquor margins, seasonal sports traffic and a ramp-up period after opening. Use the FDD’s Item 19 as context, but build your own numbers around your site and market.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read the franchise term, renewal, transfer and termination provisions, territory rights and any franchisor rights to approve a sale. Our guide to reading an FDD for financing explains which items matter most.
Site and lease. The lease should run at least as long as the loan where possible. Lenders look at parking, visibility, co-tenants and any tenant improvement allowance.
Historical financials for resales. For an operating restaurant, expect to provide several years of profit and loss statements and tax returns.
The Bar and Kitchen: Equipment and Build-Out Deep Dive
A wing kitchen depends on fryer capacity during game-day rushes, and undersized fryers or ventilation can cap sales on the busiest nights.
The bar. Draft systems, bar coolers and ice machines add cost but support beverage sales. Build the liquor license timeline into your schedule, since a delay can push back revenue while rent and loan payments start. Screens and audio systems wear out faster than kitchen equipment, so many owners finance them separately.
Second-generation space. A former restaurant saves money only when the hood, grease trap and plumbing already sit where the brand’s layout needs them. Get a contractor walk-through before you commit to a lease.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
The franchisor actively courts multi-unit operators, and its news has highlighted longtime multi-unit owners developing their next restaurant from the ground up. If you sign for more than one restaurant, the development schedule in your agreement sets deadlines for each opening, and missing them can have consequences under the agreement.
Financing additional restaurants. Lenders usually fund each restaurant as it opens. Once your first location has a track record, its cash flow supports the next loan, and some owners refinance or consolidate debt as the group grows. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how lenders look at a growing restaurant group.
Real-World Scenarios
An independent restaurateur converting. The owner of an independent sports bar in a strip center joins through the franchisor’s conversion-focused incentive program. Financing covers kitchen and bar upgrades, signage and brand-standard décor, and the lender uses the restaurant’s existing sales history as a starting point while adjusting for royalties and marketing fees.
A first-time franchisee with a seasoned partner. A buyer with corporate management experience partners with a longtime restaurant general manager. They use an SBA 7(a) loan for a new lease-based restaurant and keep a separate working capital reserve for the ramp-up period.
A multi-unit operator building freestanding. An experienced owner with several restaurants buys a pad site for a new freestanding location. The real estate is financed with an SBA 504 loan, while equipment and opening costs are funded separately.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a second-generation space without pricing hood, grease and plumbing changes
- Underestimating labor costs for a full-service restaurant with a bar
- Forgetting to budget for the liquor license and the time it takes to obtain
- Building projections on peak football weekends instead of average weeks
- Ignoring wing price swings when estimating food costs
- Leaving too little working capital for the first months after opening
For more pitfalls that apply across the industry, read about restaurant loan mistakes to avoid.
Next Steps to Finance Your East Coast Wings + Grill Franchise
Step 1: Confirm you qualify. Compare your net worth and liquid assets with the franchisor’s requirements and decide who will run the restaurant day to day.
Step 2: Review the FDD with advisors. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17, 19 and 20 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 3: Talk with a financing specialist. Learn which loan programs fit your plan and how much equity you will need before you commit to a site.
Step 4: Find and evaluate a site. Work with the franchisor’s team on market and site selection, get contractor estimates and negotiate the lease or purchase.
Step 5: Build your business plan. Prepare projections, a sources-and-uses table and an opening timeline for your East Coast Wings + Grill franchise loan request.
Step 6: Apply and coordinate approvals. Submit the loan application with the FDD, lease, bids and personal financial documents, and keep the lender, landlord and franchisor timelines aligned.
Step 7: Close, build and open. Manage construction draws, complete training and secure your liquor license.
East Coast Wings + Grill Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does an East Coast Wings + Grill franchise cost?
The franchisor’s FAQ estimates the initial investment at $443,400 to $1,257,300. Your total depends on the site, the space’s condition, construction costs and how much working capital you hold back.
What is the East Coast Wings + Grill franchise fee?
The franchisor lists a $40,000 franchise fee. Check Item 5 of the current FDD for any discounts or multi-unit terms.
What royalty and marketing fees does the brand charge?
The royalty is 5% of gross sales, and the marketing fund fee is 2% of gross sales, according to the franchisor’s website.
How much net worth do I need?
The franchisor lists $1 million in net worth among its requirements. Lenders will separately look at your liquid assets for the down payment and reserves.
Is East Coast Wings + Grill approved for SBA loans?
Yes. The brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S0561 with no special notes, so SBA lenders can consider East Coast Wings + Grill franchise loan requests under their normal standards. Every loan is still subject to approval.
Can I buy an existing East Coast Wings + Grill?
Yes, when an owner is selling and the franchisor approves the transfer. A resale lets a lender underwrite real operating history, and the buyer typically needs to meet the franchisor’s current requirements.
Can a first-time restaurant owner get financing?
It is possible, but pairing your capital with an experienced general manager or operating partner makes a first-time request much stronger.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
The franchisor lists financial guidance among its support services. Item 10 of the current FDD discloses whether it offers or arranges any direct financing.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
The franchisor’s materials refer to financial performance representations in Item 19 of its FDD. Read Item 19 carefully, including its assumptions, and build your own projections for your site.
How long is the franchise term?
The franchise term and renewal rights are in Item 17 of the FDD. Lenders prefer a term and lease that both run at least as long as the loan.
Final Thoughts
An East Coast Wings + Grill restaurant is a full-service, bar-and-grill investment, and financing it well starts with the brand’s clear fees, a realistic view of build-out costs and a strong site. With a clean SBA directory listing, buyers who bring restaurant experience, documented liquidity and conservative projections can put together a strong application.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment, working capital and real estate. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing solutions.
