Eggs Up Grill Opens First Restaurant in Alabama

Popular breakfast, brunch and lunch spot opening in Madison

Eggs Up Grill is located at 300 Hughes Road.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Eggs Up Grill, a rapidly growing breakfast, brunch and lunch concept, began serving the most important meal of the day at 6 a.m. today.  Its new location in Madison is the first restaurant in Alabama for the Brand. Known for its great-tasting, freshly prepared meals, friendly service and inviting atmosphere, Eggs Up Grill is located at 300 Hughes Road in Madison Commons Shopping Center.  This is the first Eggs Up Grill for Franchise Partners Alex and Kristen McLellan. 

“Alex and I are excited to introduce Eggs Up Grill in Alabama. We value relationships and we love breakfast! We think nothing says, ‘I love you’ like making a stack of pancakes, bacon and eggs for someone.” says McLellan.

Kris and Alex McLellan, Franchisees

The McLellans moved to Madison in 2019 for business and quickly recognized the city as a popular and rapidly-growing area. The family is thrilled to be a part of the community, serving great food and smiles from sunup to lunch. They plan to partner with local organizations in the community, including the Madison library. 

“The Brand is about neighbors serving neighbors and being a home to the whole neighborhood. This community we’ve fallen in love with complements the Eggs Up Grill mission of great food, community service, family and hospitality,” said McLellan

With indoor seating for 86, plus an outdoor patio for 24, the 2,400 square-foot restaurant is designed to make guests feel at home in a light, bright and cheery atmosphere. The Madison restaurant will serve guests seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., with dine-in, online ordering, takeout, catering and delivery options available.

Eggs Up Grill will also cater events big or small, with a menu featuring breakfast favorites like eggs, grits, home fries, biscuits and gravy and muffins. Salads and sandwiches are available for catered lunch.

“We are pleased to open our first Alabama location, and plan to seek more opportunities in the state,” said Ricky Richardson, chief executive officer of Eggs Up Grill. ““Eggs Up Grill is not just a great dining option for breakfast and lunch, but also a hub for local activity. We look forward to partnering with the community and serving our neighbors.”

The restaurant is actively hiring. Those interested can apply at eggsupgrill.com or www.eggsupmadison.easyapply.co. For more information, follow @eugmadison on Instagram and Facebook. 

With locations across Georgia, Florida, the Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee, and opening in the state of Alabama this summer, Eggs Up Grill offers seasonal items and its full menu for dine-in or order online for takeout or delivery. Menu categories include omelets and benedicts prepared with fresh, hand-cracked eggs, pancakes, waffles and breakfast sandwiches, as well as classic breakfast entrees, and a selection of mimosas. Lunch choices include juicy burgers, tasty sandwiches, and melts, salads, and bowls. The menu also offers gluten-friendly options and a kids’ menu. The full menu is available open to close, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. All locations are individually owned and operated by a local member of the community. 

About Eggs Up Grill:

Eggs Up Grill is home to the whole neighborhood, serving smiles from sunup through lunch. The aromas of freshly brewed coffee, savory bacon and hand-cracked, farm-fresh eggs and juicy burgers on the griddle, and warm, attentive team members will make you feel right at home. We are “neighbors serving neighbors” daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ranked as the no. 1 breakfast franchise by Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500® two years in a row, Eggs Up Grill is experiencing record growth across the Southeast. Originally founded in Pawleys Island, S.C., Eggs Up Grill now has 57 locations with plans underway to reach the 100-restaurant mark by 2023.  For more information, visit eggsupgrill.com.

Eggs Up Grill’s 2022 Outlook Is Sunny Side Up

Breakfast powerhouse rings in new year with $1 million plus AUV, record comparable sales and 18 new restaurants planned

SPARTANBURG, S.C.  – Eggs Up Grill, ranked two years consecutively as the no. 1 breakfast franchise in 2021 and 2022 by Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500® and recently named a 2022 Top Franchise by Franchise Business Review, is entering 2022 with accelerating momentum in both average restaurant sales and new restaurant growth. The Brand closed out 2021 with an average unit volume (AUV) exceeding $1 million, same-store sales up 17 percent over 2019, and 26-percent growth from July to December. Eggs Up Grill opened nine new restaurants in the last 12 months and signed five franchise agreements in the fourth quarter of 2021.  

Eggs Up Grill has been setting new restaurant-opening records for three years in a row, growing eight to 10 restaurants per year. Its 2022 outlook includes 18 new restaurants and expansion into three new states; the Brand will enter Tennessee and Alabama in the first quarter of 2022 and is in active discussions with multi-unit prospects in Texas and Mississippi.

At its recent Franchise Owners’ Conference, Eggs Up Grill recognized more than 60% of its restaurant locations for achieving annual sales exceeding $1 million in 2021.

“Our record-breaking sales are a direct result of maximizing new revenue channels, our franchise partners’ high level of operational quality, and Eggs Up Grill’s unique culture,” said Ricky Richardson, chief executive officer of Eggs Up Grill. “These successes didn’t happen by accident, and I could not be prouder of our franchise partners and employees for overcoming 2021’s challenges, doing everything in their power to live up to our brand promise of Everything to Make You Smile, and simply rolling up their sleeves and putting in the hard work.”

Since 2020, Eggs Us Grill has made aggressive strides in the areas of technology, third-party delivery, take-out simplicity, and alcohol sales (added last spring). The Brand also continues to test its virtual brand, Biscuits, Bowls & Burgers, to reach new consumers as it grows weekday lunch revenue.

Accelerating growth requires top talent at the Brand level and Eggs Up Grill recently added resources in culinary development and expanded its marketing capabilities.  

“We continue to punch above our weight,” Richardson added. “These new resources compliment a highly experienced leadership team that continues to provide best in class franchisor support to its franchise partners.”

About Eggs Up Grill:

Eggs Up Grill is home to the whole neighborhood, serving smiles from sunup through lunch. The aromas of freshly brewed coffee, savory bacon and hand-cracked, farm-fresh egg and juicy burgers on the griddle, and warm, attentive team members will make you feel right at home. We are “neighbors serving neighbors” daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Recently ranked as the no. 1 breakfast franchise by Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500®, Eggs Up Grill is experiencing record growth across the Southeast. Originally founded in Pawleys Island, S.C., Eggs Up Grill now has 53 locations with plans underway to reach the 100-restaurant mark by 2023.  For more information, visit eggsupgrill.com.

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Eggs Up Grill Opens First Restaurant in Norfolk Today

Local entrepreneurs partner to open popular breakfast spot in Ghent   

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Eggs Up Grill, a rapidly growing breakfast, brunch, and lunch concept began serving the most important meal of the day at 6 a.m. this morning in the Ghent area of Norfolk. The restaurant, known for its great-tasting, freshly prepared meals, friendly service, and inviting atmosphere, is located at The Center Shops, 738 W. 22nd Street. This is the first Eggs Up Grill for Franchise Partners Michael Said and Steve McCue.

“What attracted me and Steve to Eggs Up Grill is how family-oriented it is. It’s a place family can gather and enjoy breakfast classics,” said Said. “The hours of operation are also very appealing, and the brand is all about the community and that’s important to us.”

Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Said grew up working in locally owned delicatessens. He relocated to Norfolk with his family in 1998 and purchased a Meineke Car Care franchise. Said eventually returned to the restaurant industry and is a co-owner of three-area Brickhouse Tavern restaurants.

McCue grew up in a military family and spent his childhood living overseas, moving to Norfolk with his family in 1984. He was in the Airforce for seven years, and also worked as a public accountant. McCue previously owned four area Meineke Car Care franchises. Said and McClue met each other during their time at Meineke. The duo also own Williamsburg Automotive together.

With seating for 80, plus an outdoor patio for dining for up to 34, the 2,347 square-foot restaurant is designed to make guests feel at home in a light, bright and cheery atmosphere. Whether dining at the counter feeling the energy from the kitchen, at a table shared with neighbors and friends, outside on the patio or in a cozy booth, guests can choose seating options to suit the perfect occasion or mood. The walls feature artwork specifically designed for Eggs Up Grill that pays homage to its namesake, the Egg.

The Norfolk restaurant serves guests seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. with dine-in, online ordering, takeout, catering, and delivery options available. A convenient to-go station will allow for easy pick-up for online orders and third-party delivery.

Eggs Up Grill also caters events big or small, with a menu featuring breakfast favorites like eggs, grits, home fries, biscuits and gravy and muffins. Salads, sandwiches and wraps are available for catered lunch.

Mike Said and Steve McCue pose for a picture after serving family and friends on their first day in business.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have local businessmen Mike Said and Steve McCue leading the way in Norfolk,” says Ricky Richardson, chief executive officer of Eggs Up Grill. “Eggs Up Grill is proud to be a part of the up-and-coming Ghent community, serving our neighbors from sunup to lunch. “

The Ghent restaurant will employ a total of 34 team members and is actively hiring. Those interested can apply at eggsupgrill.com or visit the restaurant and ask for the manager on duty. For more information on the restaurant, follow @eugghent on Instagram and Facebook. 

With locations across Georgia, Florida, the Carolinas and Virginia, Eggs Up Grill offers seasonal items and its full menu for dine-in or order online for takeout or delivery. Menu categories include omelets and benedicts prepared with fresh, hand-cracked eggs, pancakes, waffles, and breakfast sandwiches, as well as classic breakfast entrees. Lunch choices included juicy burgers, tasty sandwiches, wraps and salads. The menu also offers gluten-friendly options and a kids’ menu.  The full menu is available open to close, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Family Bundle meals are offered for takeout and delivery, providing an easy option to feed four people starting at $25. All locations are individually owned and operated by a local member of the community, providing great-tasting, freshly prepared breakfast, brunch and lunch options. 

About Eggs Up Grill:

Eggs Up Grill is home to the whole neighborhood, serving smiles from sunup through lunch. The aromas of freshly brewed coffee, savory bacon and hand-cracked, farm-fresh egg and juicy burgers on the griddle, and warm, attentive team members will make you feel right at home. We are “neighbors serving neighbors” daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Recently ranked as the no. 1 breakfast franchise by Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500®, Eggs Up Grill is experiencing record growth across the Southeast. Originally founded in Pawleys Island, S.C., Eggs Up Grill now has 52 locations with plans underway to reach the 100-restaurant mark by 2023.  For more information, visit eggsupgrill.com.

Caramel Apple Crisp Pancakes, a Chorizo-filled “Chomelet” and Apple Cider Mimosas bring warm and spicy flavors to Eggs Up Grill fall menu

Limited time menu serves seasonal dishes from the griddle  

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -Eggs Up Grill, ranked as the no. 1 breakfast franchise by Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500®, is welcoming guests with warm and bold fall flavors in its Griddle & Grin limited time menu. Beginning October 4, the breakfast, brunch and lunch concept will offer seasonal menu items including Caramel Apple Crisp Pancakes, a Chorizo Breakfast Quesadilla and The Chomelet.  Guests may also enjoy Apple Cider Mimosas. The promotion runs through the end of the year.  

“Our Griddle & Grin fall menu offers  great tasting, seasonal and family favorites that warm the spirit with a selection of delicious and bold fall flavors,” said Ricky Richardson, chief executive officer of Eggs Up Grill. “Our brand promise is ‘everything to make you smile.’ We know our guests are guaranteed to smile as they taste our Fluffy Pancakes topped with Caramelized Fire-roasted Fuji Apples, as well as the Chorizo Breakfast Quesadilla and Chomelet. Paired with an Apple Cider Mimosa, it’s truly a reason to grin at Eggs Up Grill.”

The Caramel Apple Crisp Pancakes include two buttermilk pancakes with apple pie crumble griddled in for a crispy crunch, topped with caramelized fire roasted Fuji apples, caramel sauce, dusted with powdered sugar; the Chorizo Breakfast Quesadilla includes a stuffed flour tortilla with griddled and crumbled chorizo sausage, scrambled eggs, pepper jack cheese, sautéed bell peppers, onions and ancho chili sauce, and topped with house-made corn salsa.

A soon-to-be favorite, The Chomelet, is an omelet filled with crumbled chorizo sausage with pepper jack cheese, diced bell peppers and onions; topped with house-made corn salsa and a drizzle of ancho chili sauce; served with toast and a choice of home fries, grits or fresh fruit. All items start at $9.99.

Eggs Up Grill is also offering sparkling wine Apple Cider Mimosas, served with fresh cranberries, available by the glass for $5.99 each or carafe for $19.99 at participating locations.

With locations across Georgia, Florida, the Carolinas and Virginia, Eggs Up Grill offers seasonal items and its full menu for dine-in or order online for takeout or delivery. Menu categories include omelets and benedicts prepared with fresh, hand-cracked eggs, pancakes, waffles, and breakfast sandwiches, as well as classic breakfast entrees. Lunch choices included juicy burgers, tasty sandwiches, wraps and salads. The menu also offers gluten-friendly options and a kids’ menu.  The full menu is available open to close, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Family Bundle meals are offered for takeout and delivery, providing an easy option to feed four people starting at $25. All locations are individually owned and operated by a local member of the community, providing great-tasting, freshly prepared breakfast, brunch and lunch options. 

About Eggs Up Grill:

Eggs Up Grill is home to the whole neighborhood, serving smiles from sunup through lunch. The aromas of freshly brewed coffee, savory bacon and hand-cracked, farm-fresh eggs on the griddle, and warm, attentive team members will make you feel right at home. We are “neighbors serving neighbors” daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Recently ranked as the no. 1 breakfast franchise by Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500®, Eggs Up Grill is experiencing record growth across the Southeast. Originally founded in Pawleys Island, S.C., Eggs Up Grill now has 50 locations with plans underway to reach the 100 restaurant mark by 2023.  For more information, visit eggsupgrill.com.

Eggs Up Grill Thrives, Cracks 50 Locations, Breaks Sales Records

Brand exceeds 2019 sales by more than 10 percent year-to-date

SPARTANBURG, S.C.  – Eggs Up Grill, a rapidly growing breakfast, brunch, and lunch Brand, has reached a major milestone in number of restaurants and comparative sales. After a challenging 18 months for the restaurant industry, the Brand is seeing explosive growth – both in sales and openings.  New restaurants in Richmond, Va. and Winter Garden, Fla. opened in recent weeks, with Eggs Up Grill reaching 50 locations. Through new revenue channels developed during the pandemic, Eggs Up Grill is currently experiencing a 10 percent increase in sales over 2019.

“Over the last 18 months, Eggs Up Grill reimagined our business and created new revenue channels,” said Ricky Richardson, chief executive officer of Eggs Up Grill. “Through those changes, and the unparalleled work of our franchise partners, our performance is better than ever as we set new sales and growth records.”

The reimagining of Eggs Up Grill included new experiences for guests. The Brand added enhanced technology to simplify takeout and delivery options, and its new restaurants now feature dedicated to-go stations allowing for easy pick-up of online orders and third-party delivery. Eggs Up Grill also added mimosas to its menu in the spring and reports beverages make up 4-8% of restaurant sales.  And, Eggs Up Grill went virtual this year with Biscuits, Bowls & Burgers, a brand exclusively available on third-party delivery sites.  

“Integrating these changes has made our already successful Eggs Up Grill experience – the one that attracts guests to our brand in the first place – stronger than ever,” Richardson added. “I’m very encouraged by the strong sales trend we are seeing with our restaurants outperforming 2019 sales by more than 10 percent year-to-date, exceeding 20 percent this summer.”  

Eggs Up Grill has been setting restaurant-opening records for three years in a row, growing on average 25 percent each year. 2021’s 12 new locations continue that trend. This summer Eggs Up Grill cracked 50 restaurants with openings in Winter Garden, Fla., the first of four in the Orlando market, as well as the Carolinas and Richmond, Va. By year’s end, Eggs Up Grill will expand into Alabama and Tennessee, growing its footprint across eight southeastern states. Development underway includes 20 new Eggs Up Grill openings in 2022.

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About Eggs Up Grill:

Eggs Up Grill offers Everything to Make You Smile, for both guests and franchise partners.  We are home to the whole neighborhood, serving smiles from sunup through lunch. The aromas of freshly brewed coffee, savory bacon and hand-cracked, farm-fresh eggs and juicy burgers on the griddle, and warm, attentive team members will make you feel right at home. We are “neighbors serving neighbors” daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Recently ranked as the no. 1 breakfast franchise by Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500® for our outstanding performance in areas including restaurant growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power, Eggs Up Grill is experiencing record growth across the Southeast. Originally founded in Pawleys Island, S.C., Eggs Up Grill now has more than 50 locations across the southeast. In 2018, private equity firm WJ Partners acquired Eggs Up Grill, building the team, and priming the brand to rapidly grow in more communities across the U.S. with plans underway to double in size by 2023. For more information, visit https://www.eggsupgrill.com/franchise.

Eggs Up Grill opens in Fort Mill

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Eggs Up Grill, a rapidly growing breakfast, brunch, and lunch concept opened its first restaurant in Fort Mill, S.C. On Monday, August 9, local franchise owners Kevin and Shelly Trayer welcomed Fort Mill neighbors with great-tasting, freshly prepared meals, and friendly service.

L-R: Caleb, Shelly and Kevin Trayer, and Eggs Up Grill CEO Ricky Richardson

“Fort Mill is growing by leaps and bounds and we have been watching this area really blossom,” said Shelly Trayer, co-owner of Eggs Up Grill Fort Mill. “We want to be everyone’s hometown restaurant away from home.”  

The restaurant is located at 516 Mercantile Place in Springfield Town Center. It features a light, bright, and cheery atmosphere designed to make guests comfortable and feel at home.

Eggs Up Grill traces its roots to Pawleys Island, South Carolina where it was founded in 1997 with a menu featuring classic, All-American dishes, along with twists on traditional favorites.  The restaurant takes pride in perfectly cooking fresh, hand-cracked eggs 14 different ways.  Menu categories include made-to-order omelets and benedicts, pancakes, waffles, and breakfast sandwiches, as well as famous home fries, the Founder’s recipe corned beef hash, and buttery, grilled blueberry muffins. Lunch choices included juicy burgers, tasty sandwiches, wraps and salads.

The Fort Mill restaurant will serve guests seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. with dine-in, online ordering, takeout, catering and delivery options available. A dedicated to-go station allows for easy pick-up for online orders and third-party delivery. 

Eggs Up Grill caters events big or small, with a catering menu featuring breakfast favorites like eggs, grits, home fries, biscuits and gravy and muffins. Salads, sandwiches and wraps are available for catered lunch.

Eggs Up Grill’s values of friendliness, service and community is leading the restaurant to partner with local organizations, churches and schools.

“Since Eggs Up Grill opened our first York County location in 2015 in Rock Hill, we’ve really seen the community embrace our Brand,” said Ricky Richardson, CEO of Eggs Up Grill.  “We are excited about expanding into Fort Mill which still has that small town feeling.  That was a really important factor to us because we are neighbors serving neighbors.”

For more information on the Fort Mill Eggs Up Grill location, follow @eugfortmill on Instagram and Facebook.

Eggs Up Grill now open in Richmond, Va.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Eggs Up Grill, a rapidly growing breakfast, brunch, and lunch concept is opening its first restaurant in Virginia. On Monday, August 2, local franchise owners Rob and Karla Thompson welcomed their Richmond neighbors with great-tasting, freshly prepared meals, and friendly service.

“We’ve been thinking about opening a restaurant for the last five years. What really attracted us to Eggs Up Grill is how important community is, and the charitable works of the franchise partners,” said Rob Thompson.

The restaurant is located at 2003 W. Huguenot Road in the Huguenot Village Shopping Center next to Publix. It features a light, bright, and cheery atmosphere designed to make guests feel comfortable and at home. The new restaurant will feature the brand’s newest kitchen innovation which includes a streamlined design and the addition of fryers, allowing Eggs Up Grill to expand its menu offerings.

Eggs Up Grill traces its roots to Pawleys Island, South Carolina where it was founded in 1997 with a menu featuring classic, All-American dishes, along with twists on traditional favorites.  The restaurant takes pride in perfectly cooking fresh, hand-cracked eggs 14 different ways.  Menu categories include made-to-order omelets and benedicts, pancakes, waffles, and breakfast sandwiches, as well as famous home fries, the Founder’s recipe corned beef hash, and buttery, grilled blueberry muffins. Lunch choices included juicy burgers, tasty sandwiches, wraps and salads.

The Richmond opening is part of the Brand’s focus on expanding in Virginia.  Currently, Eggs Up Grill has restaurants in development in Blacksburg and Norfolk, in addition to the two other restaurants the Thompsons will open in the Richmond market.

“We are excited to open in Richmond, not only providing guests a great dining option for breakfast and lunch, but also serving as a hub for local activity,” says Eggs Up Grill CEO Ricky Richardson. “We are eager to meet and partner with the community and serve our neighbors.”

Thompson is a retired Navy intelligence officer and is the owner of HT Innovations, a defense contracting company specializing in space-based systems. He also served four years as the Matoaca district representative for the Chesterfield County School Board. After learning about Eggs Up Grill, the Thompsons were drawn to the better breakfast concept because it aligned with their values.

“We both believe in serving this great community, and it’s through our Eggs Up Grill restaurants that we will continue our personal mission of doing so,” he added.

The Richmond restaurant will serve guests seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. with dine-in, online ordering, takeout, catering and delivery options available. A dedicated to-go station allows for easy pick-up for online orders and third-party delivery.  Eggs Up Grill caters events big or small, with a catering menu featuring breakfast favorites like eggs, grits, home fries, biscuits and gravy and muffins. Salads, sandwiches and wraps are available for catered lunch. Delivery will be available.

For more information on the Richmond restaurant, follow @eugmidlothian on Instagram and Facebook.

Key Lime Pie Pancakes and Banana Pudding French Toast Join Eggs Up Grill Menu for Summertime

Limited time menu boast twists on southern classics   

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Eggs Up Grill, a rapidly growing breakfast, brunch and lunch concept, is entering summer 2021 with a Summer of Yum limited time menu of four new dishes. Beginning June 7, guests can enjoy Key Lime Pie Pancakes, Banana Pudding French Toast, Summer Berry Waffles and a Summer Berry Grilled Chicken Salad.  At participating locations, guests may also choose between sparkling rose or a sparkling rose mimosa. The promotion runs through Labor Day weekend.

“We wanted to pay homage to our southern roots this summer and offer a menu of rich and fresh menu items that scream summer,” said Ricky Richardson, chief executive officer of Eggs Up Grill. “Afterall, our brand promise is ‘everything to make you smile.’ We know our guests will love our fluffy pancakes with real key lime pie filling, as well as homemade southern banana pudding atop our guest favorite French toast. Pair with a rose mimosa and it’s truly a summer of yum at Eggs Up Grill.”

The Key Lime Pancakes include two pancakes topped with authentic key lime pie filling, whipped cream, powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbles and a fresh slice of lime; the Banana Pudding French Toast includes two slices of cinnamon swirl French toast topped with real banana pudding, whipped cream, graham cracker crumbles and fresh banana slices. The Summer Berry Waffle is a Belgian-style waffle served golden brown with blackberries, raspberries, powdered sugar and a dark chocolate drizzle. All items start at $8.99.

Eggs Up Grill is also serving up a Summer Berry Grilled Chicken Salad. It’s topped with blackberries, raspberries, praline pecans and sliced grilled chicken breast, tossed with a blueberry vinaigrette dressing over mixed greens for $9.99. Sparkling rose or a sparking rose mimosa can be ordered for $5.99 each at participating locations.

With locations across the Southeast – Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas, Eggs Up Grill offers seasonal items and its full menu for dine-in, takeout or delivery.  Menu categories include breakfast sandwiches, benedicts, omelets, pancakes, waffles, French toast, as well as classic breakfast entrees, home-fry bowls and fan-favorite muffins. The full menu is available, open to close, with lunch choices including burgers, sandwiches, wraps and salads. The menu also offers heart-healthy and gluten-friendly options and a kids’ menu.  Family Bundle meals are offered for takeout and delivery, providing an easy option to feed four people starting at $25. All locations are individually owned and operated by a local member of the community, providing great-tasting, freshly prepared breakfast, brunch and lunch options. 

About Eggs Up Grill:

Eggs Up Grill is home to the whole neighborhood, serving smiles from sunup through lunch. The aromas of freshly brewed coffee, savory bacon and hand-cracked, farm-fresh eggs on the griddle, and warm, attentive team members will make you feel right at home. We are “neighbors serving neighbors” daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Recently ranked as the no. 1 breakfast franchise by Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500® for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power, Eggs Up Grill is experiencing record growth across the Southeast. Originally founded in Pawleys Island, S.C., by restaurateur Chris Skodras, Eggs Up Grill now has 47 locations and is headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C.  In 2018, private equity firm WJ Partners acquired Eggs Up Grill, building the team and priming the brand to rapidly grow in more communities across the U.S. with plans underway to reach the 100 restaurant mark by 2023. For more information, visit eggsupgrill.com.

Former Eggs Up Grill CFO Explains Why He Left to Become Multi-Unit Franchisee

This article was published March 14, 2021 on Hometown Headlines in Rome, Georgia:

By Natalie Simms

After 30 years in various corporate roles for companies across the country, local Eggs Up Grill franchisee Andy Wright decided he wanted to build a business of his own. So, he left his job as Chief Financial Officer of Eggs Up Grill, headquartered in Spartanburg, SC, and to open his own Eggs Up Grill restaurants, along with his wife Penny, in Canton and Rome.

The restaurant features the brand’s first pick-up window for takeout orders.

With the Canton restaurant already exceeding expectations since opening in December 2020, Wright hopes the same for the new Rome location that opens at 6 a.m. Monday. And if all goes well, the Wrights hope to continue growing in similar markets such as Cartersville, Dawsonville or Cumming.

“I held corporate roles in finance, procurement, and technology spanning the last 30 years,” says Wright. “These roles were predominately in helping to build small companies into recognized national brands.

“I’ve long been intrigued by the thought of building my own business and shortly after joining Eggs Up, I had the opportunity to spend a few days working in a franchisee’s restaurant and really caught the bug. Within 3 months, I was discussing it with my wife. She had been a part of the restaurant business before with her family business…she knew the complexity of it all.

“But, the restaurant’s family friendly atmosphere, the franchisees passion, community engagement, and focus on team development really excited me then, and excites me even more today…going from a desk job to being in the store and serving guests…its hard work, but exciting and fulfilling for me.”

Wright says he understands the economics of the business and didn’t get into it to ‘get rich’ but to build something for generations to come.

“I wanted something good, wholesome to build on so the next generation can continue to grow for years to come,” he says. “My wife is my also my business partner. We have three kids ages 14, 16 and 18 and all are heavily involved in our business. Our oldest two have trained at the corporate location in Spartanburg (SC) and are now servers in our Canton restaurant. They have really found their confidence in a very challenging year.”

Wright already had already developed his business plan for his first location in Canton and had lease agreements in place before the COVID pandemic began last March. Despite the short-term impacts, he had the confidence to keep moving forward.

“I’ve gone from feeling terrified to excited over the last year,” he says. “A business is a sizable investment and you have lease, loan and franchisee obligations. But I had confidence in our economy and in our medical system. We are social beings and I knew we couldn’t put our heads in the sand for eons.

“While there were short-term impacts, as we moved forward, I had the confidence we would persevere and do well. I left my desk job in March (2020), signed the lease in Canton and started building that location in August. We opened in December and it has exceeded my expectations. My business plan was written out before COVID in 2019 and we still have exceeded that plan.”

Wright says he chose Rome for his second location because of its strong community and regional draw.

“Rome is a regional hub and has a really strong community, vibrant and growing economy and favorable demographics,” he says. “We believe that the community will love our DNA – we are home to the whole neighborhood…serving smiles from sunup through lunch.”

At Eggs Up Grill you will notice the difference in service, menu and venue from the neighboring competition.

“Our service is our passion. We provide real service for real people and making them smile is job No. 1,” says Wright. “We have warm, friendly, and attentive team members – making you feel right at home. We are neighbors serving neighbors from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

“We have a vast menu of breakfast and lunch items served all day.  It starts with farm fresh hand cracked eggs cooked 14 ways – varieties include poached, scrambled, fried, omelets, etc.  Breakfast and lunch sandwiches include burgers and wraps, salads, pancakes, waffles, hash, steaks, and a variety of healthy options.

“The restaurant is clean, bright, and family oriented.  We have comfortable seating inside and will be adding patio seating over the next few weeks. We are able to accept orders over the phone or online, and shortly will offer 3rd party delivery services with Door Dash, Grub Hub, and Uber Eats. Orders can be picked up in our Eggside pickup area as well as through our pickup window.”

As for what’s next, Wright says he is focused on “the here and now” in Rome and Canton.

“We are acutely focused on delivering great experiences to our guests and developing our team members in Rome and Canton,” he says. “We want to grow, but not so fast that we outstrip our abilities. We would love to grow in markets that look and feel like Canton and Rome. We will look to opportunistically grow in markets like Cartersville, Dawsonville and Cumming over the coming months and years.”

In the meantime, he is ready to greet customers on Monday and get started bringing new offerings to Rome.

“Rome is such a business-friendly City…they have been so helpful and really rapid in their approval processes,” he says. “And the Ledbetters have been amazing to work with. They have done an amazing job on East Bend. It is well constructed…really top-notch and we’re excited to be here.”

Business hours are 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday-Sunday for breakfast, brunch and lunch. All veterans, active military and first responders will receive a 15% discount every day.