East Coast Wings^®

Food & Beverage • Year: 2024

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What Is East Coast Wings?

East Coast Wings is a casual dining franchise centered on chicken wings, specialty flavored wings, sandwiches, burgers, ribs and appetizers. Restaurants operate as full-service, full wait‑staff establishments with a full bar and include the sale of alcoholic beverages; they do not typically provide delivery except via third‑party delivery services. A typical East Coast Wings location is operated in leased space (freestanding or otherwise) located on or near main thoroughfares.

East Coast Wings Franchise: Pros and Cons

The franchisor provides extensive operator training-243 total hours (top 10%) and a 100 training-and-support score (top quarter)-giving thorough initial and ongoing instruction to run the business, but there has been one outlet non-renewal (higher than peers, in the top quarter), suggesting at least one franchisee exited early.

Pros

243 total training hours (top 10%) combined with a 100 training-and-support score (top quarter) - the franchisor clearly invests heavily in operator readiness, so you get thorough initial and ongoing training to run the business effectively.

Zero disclosed lawsuits, zero franchisor-initiated enforcement actions, and zero government penalties - all well below typical for Food & Beverage (bottom 5%) - this clean legal record suggests fewer formal disputes and smoother franchisor–franchisee relations.

0% manager required equity - well below typical for Food & Beverage (bottom 5%) - gives you flexibility to hire and compensate managers without being forced to grant them ownership stakes.

Cons

1 outlet non-renewal - well above typical for Food & Beverage (top quarter) - the non-renewal frequency indicates at least one operator chose not to continue, suggesting some franchisees have exited the system earlier than peers.

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

100

Excellent

East Coast Wings reported no material legal proceedings,

Territory Protection

43/100

NORMAL

East Coast Wings grants a protected, non-exclusive Designated Territory-typically a radius (1–3 miles, or 2 blocks–1 mile in high market density areas) or a population-based area. The franchisor retains site-specific rights to develop nearby units, operate or license Non-traditional Sites, sell via e-commerce/alternative channels, use different marks, and the territory is contingent on meeting performance quotas.

Training & Support

100

Excellent

The brand provides a comprehensive 243-hour training curriculum designed to prepare three managerial staff members for launch. The program includes on-site launch support for operational readiness; franchisees are responsible for travel and lodging expenses, and on-site assistance is provided for an additional fee.

Franchisee Stability

67/100

Good

East Coast Wings earns a Good Stability Score. Three-year turnover of 4.35% sits below the typical Food & Beverage franchise (around 5.4%). Out of 4 total exits, franchisor buybacks dominated with 2, alongside 1 non-renewal, 1 ceased operation, and no terminations.

This suggests the franchisor is reclaiming units, which can mean it absorbs underperforming locations. For prospective franchisees, probe the franchisor's buyback policy and recent reclaimed-unit outcomes; ask for the reasons behind each repurchase, the refurbishment and relaunch process, and evidence of subsequent performance. Also review unit-level economics in the markets where buybacks occurred and speak with current and former franchisees to understand how those locations recovered or were re-positioned.

Unit Growth Analysis

The chain is stabilizing with a modest rebound: unit counts fell from 33 in 2022 to 32 in 2023 (≈-3.0%), then rose to 34 in 2024 (+6.2% YoY), for a net gain of 1 unit (+3.0%) since 2022. For investors this signals improving but limited momentum-the 6.2% rebound is encouraging, yet the absolute change is small (only +2 units in 2024 and +1 unit net), indicating cautious, small-scale expansion rather than strong acceleration.

How Much Does It Cost to Open an East Coast Wings Franchise?

Opening an East Coast Wings franchise requires a total initial investment of $408,368 to $1,232,845, according to the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.

Minimum Investment

$408,368

Franchise Fee

Real Estate

Equipment & Assets

Reserves

Training

Other

Maximum Investment

$1,232,845

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$41,200

Real Estate$181,768

Equipment & Assets$138,650

Reserves$10,000

Training$2,500

Other$34,250

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$42,400

Real Estate$732,375

Equipment & Assets$360,520

Reserves$20,000

Training$10,000

Other$67,550

Investment Analysis

This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.

The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.

How Much Do East Coast Wings Franchise Owners Make?

East Coast Wings franchise locations reported average gross sales of $2,040,117 and median gross sales of $1,801,694 in 2024, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Average Gross Sales:

$2,040,117

Median Gross Sales:

$1,801,694

High Gross Sales:

$3,541,568

Low Gross Sales:

$1,182,530

Sample Size:

Percent Attaining Average:

45.0%

Audit Status:

Unaudited

Franchise vs Corporate Performance: The Item 19 discloses franchised performance only for 20 2.0 Model Restaurants in 2023, with an average revenue of about 2.04 million; company-owned results are excluded from this primary sample, so direct franchised vs corporate comparisons cannot be made from this Item 19.

Performance Variability Analysis: There is substantial variability among franchised units: revenues range from about 1.18 million to 3.54 million and NOI ranges from a slight loss to over 1.15 million, indicating outcomes can differ materially between locations.

Data Scope and Limitations: The sample is small (20 units), concentrated primarily in North Carolina, and excludes several outlet types and company-owned units, so results may not generalize to all future franchised restaurants or other regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is East Coast Wings a good franchise to own?

Whether East Coast Wings is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2024 FDD: East Coast Wings operates 34 locations, received a legal risk score of 100/100, a training and support score of 100/100. Financial performance data is disclosed in Item 19. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.

Is an East Coast Wings franchise worth the investment?

The value of an East Coast Wings franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $408,368 to $1,232,845. East Coast Wings disclosed average gross sales of $2,040,117 in 2024. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.

What is the failure rate of East Coast Wings franchises?

In the 2024 FDD, East Coast Wings reported 0 terminated franchises and 1 non-renewals out of 34 total locations. Franchise closures can result from many factors including market conditions, operator decisions, lease expirations, and franchisor enforcement actions. The FDD's Item 20 provides the most detailed unit turnover data.

How long does it take to break even with an East Coast Wings franchise?

Break-even timelines for East Coast Wings franchises are not disclosed in the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Break-even periods vary significantly based on initial investment level, local market conditions, operating costs, and revenue ramp-up speed. Prospective franchisees should build a pro forma financial model using Item 7 cost estimates and, where available, Item 19 financial performance data from the FDD.

Is East Coast Wings a franchise or a corporate-owned business?

As of the 2024 FDD, East Coast Wings operates 30 franchised locations and 4 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.

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