Legacy Owners Take the Lead at East Coast Wings + Grill

Gregory and Dafni Ballas have taken ownership of the East Coast Wings + Grill (ECW+G) restaurant in Clemmons, North Carolina, marking a new chapter for the location.

ECW+G CEO Sam Ballas said that his son and daughter-in-law "exemplify the values our brand was built on—community, quality, and care—and I'm confident they'll make the Clemmons restaurant a shining example of what ECW+G stands for."

Gregory Ballas, who grew up in the Clemmons/Winston-Salem area, has supported ECW+G for years through real estate and development projects. Dafni Ballas serves as CEO of the Michael Family Restaurant Group, where she leads multiple concepts across North Carolina. Together, they plan to be hands-on operators focused on team culture and guest experience.

"Dafni and I both grew up in restaurants—it's truly in our DNA," Gregory Ballas said. "We love the fast-paced environment, but more than that, we love the people who make it all happen. Our goal is to create a place where our team feels valued and where our guests feel at home every time they walk through the door."

The Ballases see their new role as a continuation of their families' entrepreneurial legacy in the community. Dafni Ballas said their priority is creating a supportive work environment that sets the tone for the guest experience.

"We believe everything starts with your people," she said. "If you build a positive environment where your team feels supported and appreciated, that energy naturally flows to your guests. That's how you build loyalty: one experience at a time."

To celebrate the transition, the Clemmons restaurant, located at 6340 Clemmons Point Drive, planned a Community Day for Nov. 18, donating 10% of all sales to the local Ronald McDonald House to support families with children receiving medical care.