The breakfast, brunch and lunch brand is continuing to provide an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to gain independence and start a business of their own.
When longtime friends Heath Greene and Ben Sheppard decided to go into business together, they started looking at franchise opportunities and quickly landed on Eggs Up Grill, a Southeast restaurant brand known for its strong growth, simple operations, and a balanced lifestyle supported thru operating hours of 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The childhood friends, who both had no former restaurant experience, sought a more autonomous approach to their careers and knew that they wanted to bring the brand to Savannah, Georgia.
“I had been looking at different opportunities and franchises for the past couple of years, but kept coming back to Eggs Up Grill,” said Greene. “As a committed father of three, the hours were appealing for my family and knew that we could really be successful in bringing the brand to Savannah.”
Greene and Sheppard both began their professional careers as branch managers in the automotive industry, before collectively deciding to venture off and franchise with Eggs Up Grill. Greene introduced the concept to Sheppard, who had ventured into the pharmaceutical industry and agreed that the flexibility of the brand, along with its steady growth, high unit-level economics, and simple operations was a “recipe for success.”
The duo will open their first of three planned locations in the Savannah market at Berwick Marketplace on Ogeechee Road. “The unique culture of Eggs Up Grill and how franchisees are involved in their communities was something that I was instantly drawn to, based on my own experience, ethos and work ethic,” said Sheppard. “It was clear that the brand’s values aligned with my own and with Heath’s.”
Eggs Up Grill’s multi-layered approach, which sets franchise candidates on a path to success from the moment they show initial interest in the brand to the opening of their restaurant, has allowed the concept to grow amid an unprecedented period. Today, the brand has grown to over 40 locations across the Southeast with Georgia locations in Alpharetta, Roswell, and Albany, a new location opening this fall in Canton and four additional restaurants under development in the northern part of the state.
The brand, which stands out as a compelling franchise opportunity with over 20 years of success, strong financials and 11 quarters of same-store sales growth through 2019, is well-positioned for growth throughout the Southeast. Eggs Up Grill is on track to reach the 100 location mark by mid-2022, signing agreements for 10 additional locations across the region over the last 90 days. Those deals include 6 locations in Virginia, 3 in the Orlando market and one in the Huntsville, Alabama market.
“While 2020 has at many times been a challenging year, it has also proven to us and our franchise owners the resiliency and appeal of our brand and business model,” said Todd Owen, VP of franchise development. “We’re dedicated to continuing to support our current and future franchise partners as we accelerate growth across the Southeast and look forward to finding more strong partners, like Ben and Heath, to be a part of our expansion.”
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.
