CEO Ricky Richardson On NPR: Growing a Restaurant During the Age of COVID-19

CEO Ricky Richardson gives an update on expansion and growth of the 43-unit breakfast-lunch brand to South Carolina Public Radio  

Eggs Up Grill, the breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant concept, has continued its rapid expansion as 2020 comes to a close.  So far, 6 restaurants have opened this year with another 3 set to open before the end of the year.

Eggs Up Grill CEO Ricky Richardson spoke to South Carolina Public Radio about the success and growth of the brand, despite the challenging impacts of the pandemic.

“I credit the hard, hard work of our franchise partners to run safe, clean, enjoyable experiences in their restaurant.”  The community involvement has been very important,” said Richardson.

Richardson noted that there hasn’t been a single closure of any existing restaurant and that sales levels are at “95% of what they were pre-COVID.”

Ahead in 2021, the brand will enter new states including Virginia, Alabama and Tennessee.

“It’s unique and opportunistic for people who really enjoy being a business owner, but also enjoy the hospitality and community nature of a brand like Eggs Up Grill.”

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.