Sam G. Ballas, CCIM, CFE, began his financial career in 1990 with NY-based Equico Securities, then recruited by Maurice ‘Hank’ Greenburg to run AIG’s North Carolina domestic financial division, concluding his financial years and work with Interstate Johnson & Lane’s regional investment firm all before re-entering into the restaurant space as the founder and CEO of is East Coast Wings + Grill (ECW) in 1999. Sam launched East Coast Wings + Grill as a franchise model in 2005, committed to the purpose of “Elevate Life Through the Franchising Experience” with a brand mantra, “Driven by Unit Level Economics.” ECW accolades, including but not limited to being listed as an INC 5000 company, Franchise Business Reviews (FBR) Top 50 Best, FBR’s Hall of Fame, and in 2024 listed as Most Innovative Franchises, Entrepreneur Magazines Top 500, Franchise Times Top 200+ and many more. Since 2015 and to date, Sam has authored articles and has spoken at events on the brand’s core philosophy of “driving unit level of economics” and best practices on how to launch a franchise model in national restaurant and franchising trade publications, as well as being featured on Bloomberg, Fox News, and CNBC. In 2018, Sam also engineered the development of ZorAbility, Inc., an emerging brands coaching & investment firm- to date, the firm has invested in other franchise models. Additionally, in 2023, he transitioned a previous fast-casual concept into Sammy’s Sliders and franchised the concept in early 2025, serving as Co-Founder/ CEO.
In 2025, Sam is an officer serving as the Vice Chairman for on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors and Past Chair of the Franchisor Forum for the International Franchise Association (IFA) and is a designated Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. He is a designated Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) by the CCIM Institute’s Commercial Real Estate Global Standard for Professional Achievement. Sam graduated from Lees-McRae College and concluded his studies at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
