• Winning flavor announced on National Chicken Wing Day, selected by guests through the brand’s Fan Flavor Showdown competition
  • National Chicken Wing Day transforms into the Ultimate Wing Party, featuring a full in-restaurant celebration and Coop’s 1st birthday
  • The party goes tropical with a summer LTO menu launching May 19, adding seasonal flavors to the campaign build-up

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (April 22, 2026) – East Coast Wings + Grill  (“ECW+G”) is setting the stage for a summer-long celebration of bold flavor and guest engagement with the launch of “The Ultimate Wing Party,” a multi-layered campaign designed to build momentum leading into National Chicken Wing Day on July 29. At the center of the campaign is the brand’s biggest fan-driven initiative yet, one that puts guests in the driver’s seat of menu innovation.

The Fan Flavor Showdown invites wing lovers to submit their most creative flavor ideas for a chance to win $2,500 and earn a permanent spot on the ECW+G menu.  

Searching for the Next Great Flavor

From April 27 through May 8, guests can enter original flavor concepts online. Three finalists will then be selected and their innovative flavors will be brought to life as limited-time offerings, available exclusively through the ECW+G app beginning May 19. From there, the competition shifts into high gear.

Guests will “vote” by purchasing their favorite finalist flavor throughout the voting period, turning real-time orders into the ultimate deciding factor. The winning flavor will be revealed on National Chicken Wing Day, offered free for one day only, and added to the permanent menu in Fall 2026, giving one fan the opportunity to leave a lasting mark on the brand.

“The Fan Flavor Showdown is all about celebrating the creativity of our guests and the role they play in shaping our brand,” said Sam Ballas, Founder and CEO of ECW+G. “Flavor innovation has always been at the core of who we are, and this is an opportunity to turn that outward by inviting our fans to make their ideas a reality and potentially earn a permanent place on our menu.”

Building a Summer-Long Flavor Platform

Coinciding with the showdown voting phase, ECW+G is turning up the summer vibes with the debut of a tropical-inspired limited-time menu.

Launching May 19, the lineup brings a tropical twist to the brand’s bold flavor profile, featuring items like a Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich, Hawaiian Shrimp Salad and Pineapple Teriyaki wing flavor, alongside refreshing pineapple-flavored beverages. The seasonal menu is designed to complement the Fan Flavor Showdown, giving guests even more reasons to visit, explore and engage throughout the summer.

National Chicken Wing Day Becomes the Ultimate Wing Party

All roads lead to National Chicken Wing Day, when ECW+G transforms its restaurants into full-scale celebrations. In addition to revealing the Fan Flavor Showdown winner, guests can enjoy a family-friendly, party-style atmosphere as the brand celebrates mascot Coop’s first birthday.

“National Chicken Wing Day is already a huge celebration for us, but adding Coop’s birthday into the mix takes it to another level,” said Ashley Mitchell, VP of Marketing at ECW+G. “It gives us a chance to lean into the fun with our guests, especially families, and create a feel-good, party atmosphere where everyone can celebrate and enjoy great food together.”

Dine-in guests can take advantage of Kids Eat Free (all day), while younger fans can join the celebration with birthday hats, stickers and themed activities bringing an extra layer of fun to the in-restaurant experience.

For more information and to enter the Fan Flavor Showdown, visit: https://eastcoastwings.com/2026/04/15/fan-flavor-showdown/

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 www.eastcoastwingsfranchise.com.

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