East Coast Wings + Grill Commits $100,000 to International Franchise Association’s Franchise Ascension Initiative

Accelerator Program Aims to Narrow the Wealth Gap by Diversifying Franchise Ownership

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — In support of the International Franchise Association’s Franchise Ascension Initiative, East Coast Wings + Grill (ECW+G), a casual dining restaurant franchise, has announced its commitment of $100,000 to the program over the next five years. The Franchise Ascension Initiative (TAI) is a 6-month accelerator program aimed at preparing qualified individuals from underrepresented groups and economically disadvantaged communities with the education, mentorship, resources, and support to successfully launch a career in franchise ownership.

“It was important for me to be an inaugural donor to this program because I have been working on a strategy for developing a diversity program for ECW+G and this program basically launches ECW+G into such a desire,” said Sam Ballas, CEO & Founder of ECW+G.

The inception of this program, aimed at narrowing the wealth gap by catalyzing diversity in ownership in franchising, stemmed from the acknowledgment of the racial disparities in financial well-being. The International Franchise Association recognized franchising as a path toward a solution to the problem. Franchising has proven to be a successful wealth-generation strategy for historically disadvantaged communities, with, for instance, Black-owned franchise firms earning 2.2x as much in sales compared to Black-owned independent businesses, on average.

In addition to their donation to the program, ECW+G plans to engage in the mentorship aspect of the program to educate potential franchise owners on the importance of unit level economics within any franchise model. Additionally, ECW+G plans to develop a business model in an attempt to assist the program’s candidates in bringing ECW+G to their communities.

“Founders of companies have power to make a difference in their communities, and I am a stout believer that you must give back and not be a consistent ‘taker’ from them,” said Ballas. “The Franchise Accession Initiative offers East Coast Wings + Grill, and myself, an opportunity to embrace the underrepresented communities as a part of a total strategy. It simply compelled me to be part of making a difference.”

The six-month long program consists of structured online training, interactive and experiential learning, concluding in a pitch contest case study where participants will have the opportunity to prepare for a pitch contest on a specific franchise opportunity, which includes preparation of a business and financial model and a presentation in front of a selected group of franchisees, suppliers and/or franchisor executives. The program’s first group is set to begin in late 2024 or early 2025 and seeks franchise candidates from the five following categories:

• College Degree Seeking Candidates – This audience pursues franchise ownership as an alternative career path. Ideally graduate school candidates, although undergraduate candidates in community colleges and vocational tracks are also good candidates.
• Fractional or Outright Path to Ownership for Experienced Business Managers – Managers with 5+ years of successful management-level experience (in franchise, retail or other systems) who are interested in owning their own business either 100% outright or via a fractional path to ownership with store management.
• Conversion Franchising – Existing business owners with a single unit or two that want to grow their business as part of a larger proven franchise system with support and resources and who may not be aware of franchising as a growth path for their business.
• Corporate refugees – Individuals undergoing career changes who may not be aware of the opportunities in franchising.
• High performing franchisees – These candidates will self-identify or be selected by franchisors with the potential for multi-unit ownership.