E114 - Episode 111: Sam Ballas & Sammy Gianopoulos with Sammy's Sliders

Sam Ballas grew up in a restaurant family, but he chose a career in finance upon graduation from college. However, 19 years later, he met Chef Sammy Gianopoulos, a Johnson & Wales University graduate with acclaimed culinary success at multiple concepts, and decided to return to the restaurant business. 

Gianopoulos yearned to create a high-quality, counter-service restaurant that could easily be replicated. In this episode, Ballas and Gianopoulos explain how combining their culinary expertise and financial acumen laid the foundation of a successful partnership.

In December 2023, they created Sammy’s Sliders, featuring chef-inspired Angus beef, antibiotic-free chicken, fres...