Sam G. Ballas is the founder and Managing Partner of ZorAbility, Inc., co-founder of Sammy’s Sliders, and founder/CEO of East Coast Wings + Grill (ECW+G). With over 40 years of restaurant industry experience and 31 years in financial markets and retail real estate, Sam has pioneered proprietary strategies to create successful franchise models. As founder of ECW+G, he made Unit Level Economics (ULE) the brand’s DNA, earning recognition from top industry publications on the subject of “driven by unit level of economics” and accolades such as Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 500 Franchise Systems, INC Magazine’s Top 5000 Private Companies, and many more. Sam also developed the Unit Level Performance Index (ULPI) to enhance brand benchmarks and drive double-digit EBITDA.
Sam extends this expertise to ZorAbility, focusing on creating high-performing franchise cultures. A Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives and Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) of the National CCIM Institute affiliate of the National Association of Realtors, he also serves on the International Franchise Association’s Board of Directors. Throughout his past careers he has been or is currently, licensed in investment securities, Investment Advisory and Real Estate Brokerage. He serves on the Government Affairs Committee for the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association and several franchise supplier advisory boards.
