Hidden Gems: Meet Dundalan Sain of EATS. Brand

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dundalan Sain.

Hi Dundalan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always seen myself as a builder. Long before ESCO, I was the person trying to turn ideas into systems, side hustles into companies, and hard moments into fuel. Entrepreneurship for me didn’t start with a restaurant; it started with a mindset, figuring things out, taking calculated risks, and learning how to create opportunities where there weren’t many.

Over time, that drive turned into a few different ventures in branding, business development, and hospitality. I fell in love with creating experiences, spaces where people could eat, laugh, connect, and feel something. That led to opening ESCO Memphis, and that location really became proof that we could build a strong vibe-driven brand that still operates with structure, standards, and intention.

In late 2024, my partner Chloe and I were presented with the opportunity to acquire ESCO Atlanta, a restaurant that had already become an Atlanta staple with a powerful legacy under Michelle “Snoop” Dillard and 2 Chainz. Taking over a place that’s been part of the city’s culture for almost nine years is humbling. We didn’t come in to erase history; we came in to honor it and evolve it. That’s where EATS. Brand, LLC comes in our parent company that allows us to think bigger than one location and build a full ecosystem of experiences and brands.

Today, we’re focused on elevating ESCO Atlanta into its next chapter: tightening operations, upgrading the guest experience, pouring into the team, and making sure the culture inside the building reflects the energy of the city outside of it. At the same time, we’re building out other arms of the business from sauces to events to business development—to create generational impact, not just short-term wins.

How I got here is really a mix of faith, pressure, and persistence. There have been setbacks, hard days, and moments where walking away would’ve been easier, but I believe in what we’re building. ESCO Atlanta is in its ninth year, but for us, this is just chapter one of the new story.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been anything but smooth, and I’m actually grateful for that. Pressure is what shaped me into the leader I am now.

Taking over a restaurant that’s been open nearly a decade comes with layers of challenges: shifting the culture, rebuilding standards, updating operations, and navigating the natural resistance that comes with change. When you step into a business with a long history, you inherit both the strengths and the gaps. Our job was and still is to honor what worked while fixing what wasn’t.

We walked into staffing issues, outdated processes, equipment that needed major upgrades, and a system that had been running on autopilot for years. At the same time, we were working to earn the trust of guests who have loved ESCO for almost nine years and employees who were adjusting to a new style of leadership and accountability.

There were also personal challenges, the long nights, the financial pressure, the emotional weight of wanting to build something meaningful for my family, our team, and our community. Entrepreneurship isn’t glamorous from the inside; it’s sacrifice, discipline, and the ability to hold the vision steady when everything around you is shaking.

But every struggle became a turning point. Each setback forced us to create better systems, set clearer expectations, and lead with more intention. The transition made us stronger, and the brand is better because of it.

So no, the road hasn’t been smooth, but smooth roads don’t build strong entrepreneurs. The bumps, the lessons, the pressure… that’s where the growth happened.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
EATS. Brand, LLC is a hospitality and lifestyle company focused on elevating culture through curated dining, entertainment, and community-centered experiences. Our flagship operation is ESCO Atlanta, a nine-year Atlanta staple that we proudly took over in late 2024.

What we specialize in is vibe dining done with intention, great food, great energy, and a culture-forward atmosphere that feels authentically Atlanta. ESCO Atlanta has deep roots in the city’s story, and our mission as the new ownership is to honor that legacy while elevating every part of the experience.

What sets us apart is our approach to hospitality: we build environments that people connect with emotionally.
We focus on operational excellence, strong team culture, upgraded guest experiences, and consistent innovation. We’re not just serving meals, we’re curating moments.

Brand-wise, we are most proud of the transformation happening inside ESCO Atlanta right now. Taking over a nearly decade-old establishment comes with responsibility, and we’ve embraced it fully. From improving systems and service standards to refreshing the atmosphere and reimagining our events, our goal is to usher ESCO Atlanta into its next era while keeping its iconic identity intact.

We want readers to know that EATS. Brand is in a season of intentional growth. ESCO Atlanta is just the start. We’re building a foundation for a multi-dimensional hospitality group that will continue creating meaningful experiences, launching new concepts, and contributing positively to Atlanta’s food and culture landscape.

At the heart of everything we do is a simple mission: create spaces that feel good, taste good, and bring people together.

How do you define success?
or me, success isn’t a single moment, it’s a combination of impact, growth, and alignment. I define success as the ability to build something meaningful, create opportunities for others, and stay true to the vision even when the process is challenging.

Success is when the people around me grow because of the systems, culture, or leadership I’ve put in place. It’s when my family is proud, my team is supported, and the community feels the presence of what we’re building. It’s also measured in discipline, doing the work on the days when nobody sees it, and maintaining integrity when no one is watching.

Financial wins matter, operational wins matter, but for me the real success is legacy. It’s creating brands and experiences that can outlive me… structures my kids can inherit, opportunities for people who trust us, and a blueprint others can follow.

So in simple terms: success is impact, consistency, and the ability to turn pressure into purpose.

Pricing:

• Entrées typically range from $18–$32, depending on the dish.
• Tapas and small plates range from $10–$18, perfect for sharing and trying multiple flavors.
• Happy hour pricing is available on select weekdays with discounted food and beverage offerings.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdsain/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dundalan.sain