Guests Decide the Next Permanent Menu Flavor Ahead of National Chicken Wing Day on July 29
Winston-Salem, NC (Restaurant News Release) East Coast Wings + Grill (“ECW+G”) today unveils the three finalists in their Fan Flavor Showdown, the centerpiece of the brand’s summer-long Ultimate Wing Party campaign leading to National Chicken Wing Day on July 29. Beginning today, the three finalist flavors are available exclusively through the ECW+G app, where every order counts as a vote towards which flavor will become a permanent menu item in the fall.
Also launching today is the brand’s Summer Escape limited-time menu, available at locations nationwide.
After receiving close to 80 guest submissions between April 27 and May 8, ECW+G selected three finalists based on creativity, flavor appeal, and fit with the existing menu of 50-plus signature flavors.
Meet the Top 3 Finalists
- BBQ Peppercorn (Honey BBQ + Parmesan Peppercorn), created by Natalie Rinehardt in Albermarle, NC
- Carolina Ranch (Sweet & Bold BBQ + Ranch Dressing), created by Emma Campbell in Albermarle, NC
- Korean Thai (Korean BBQ + Chili Thai), created by Daniel Robertson an employee at the location in King, NC
“We’re proud to involve our guests in the development of our menu, and loved reading the dozens of creative ideas,” said Sam Ballas, Founder and CEO of ECW+G. “Each of these three finalists brought something different to the table, and now it’s up to our fans to decide which one earns a place in the lineup this fall.”
How the Voting Works
From today through July 28, guests can place their vote by ordering any of the three finalist wing flavors through the ECW+G app. Each order counts as a vote. The flavor with the most orders by the close of voting wins $2,500 and a permanent spot on the ECW+G menu beginning Fall 2026.
The winner will be revealed on National Chicken Wing Day, Wednesday, July 29, and the winning flavor will be available to add to any menu item for free to guests at participating locations on that day.
Summer Escape Menu Joins the Lineup
Also launching today, the Summer Escape menu brings a tropical twist to ECW+G for a limited time. The menu features:
- Pineapple Shrimp Salad: Crisp chopped lettuce topped with Tajin® seasoned grilled shrimp, cucumber, shredded cheese, crunchy tortilla strips and sweet pineapple salsa.
- Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich: Juicy grilled chicken topped with grilled pineapple, provolone, teriyaki sauce, lettuce, tomato, and a drizzle of honey mustard.
- Hawaiian Flavor: Teriyaki with hints of ginger, sesame and chunks of pineapple. Try it on your wings, burger sandwich, or wrap.
- Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita: Sweet pineapple meets fiery jalapeno and tequila, balanced with citrus and a Tajin rim.
- Pineapple Refresher Mocktail: Pineapple, lime, and a hint of sweetness topped with a splash of soda for a light tropical escape.
Building to the Ultimate Wing Party
The Fan Flavor Showdown and Summer Escape menu are the next chapters in The Ultimate Wing Party, ECW+G’s multi-layered summer campaign building to National Chicken Wing Day on July 29. The day will double as the first birthday of brand mascot Coop and will feature in-restaurant celebrations including Kids Eat Free all day, birthday hats, stickers, and themed activities for younger guests. The brand also has a few additional surprises in store for guests that celebrate in person or want to have a party at home to join in on the fun.
“The Fan Flavor Showdown gives our guests a real voice in what shows up on our menu,” said Ashley Mitchell, VP of Marketing at ECW+G. “Pair that with everything we have planned for National Chicken Wing Day, and we have a summer built around the people who love flavor as much as we do.”
To download the app and cast a vote, guests can visit the App Store or Google Play. For more information, visit EastCoastWings.com.
About East Coast Wings + Grill
East Coast Wings + Grill (ECW+G) is a full-service, family-dining franchise known for its Buffalo wings, featuring 50+ flavors and seven heat levels, along with a thoughtfully crafted menu designed to appeal to every guest. With locations throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virigina and Pennsylvania, the brand has earned consistent recognition for franchisee satisfaction, innovation, culture, system performance and profitability from Franchise Business Review, Franchise Dictionary Magazine and several other notable publications. East Coast Wings + Grill is a member of the International Franchise Association, with CEO and Founder, Sam Ballas, currently serving as the chair of the association. For more information about East Coast Wings + Grill or its franchise opportunities, visit EastCoastWingsFranchise.com.
Media Contact:
Paige Stark
Fishman PR
pstark@fishmanpr.com