Eggs Up Grill CFO turned franchisee to open second restaurant in Georgia
Rome, Ga. opening planned for March; second opening in three months for Former CFO Andy Wright
ROME, Ga. — Former CFO of Eggs Up Grill Andy Wright and his wife Penny are opening their second restaurant after just three months with the brand. The restaurant in Rome, Ga. will open in March. The Wrights’ love of the brand inspired Andy and Penny to leave their corporate and non-profit careers to become franchisees last April, signing a development agreement for five restaurants.
“We couldn’t be more excited for our opening in Rome as our location is surrounded by a great mix of shopping and dining and we are right in the heart of it,” said Andy Wright. “We can’t wait to introduce our neighbors to our delicious menu and be a true community gathering place.”
The Rome, Ga. location has the breakfast, brunch and lunch brand’s first designated pick-up window. The restaurant will also be testing new technology that eliminates guest wait time for contactless curbside and in-store pick-up.
“With our new pick-up window, we can offer our guests the ultimate in convenience and safety as they enjoy our food to go,” said Andy. “We know now, more than ever, that this is something our guests need and depend on. We are happy to make this process as easy as possible.”
The Wrights plan to open at least three more Eggs Up Grill restaurants in North Georgia, targeting Cartersville, and Dawsonville or Cumming.
“My depth of experience has truly set me up for success for this opportunity. I have an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong desire to bring the brand to new communities, as Eggs Up Grill continues to grow,” said Andy.
The Rome opening is part of Eggs Up Grill’s focus on expanding in Georgia, where there are five restaurants to date. Restaurants currently under development will grow that number to more than a dozen in the state within the next two years.
With 46 locations across the Southeast – Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas, Eggs Up Grill celebrated a record nine restaurant openings in 2020. The brand is projected to surpass that record in 2021, on track to open more than a dozen new restaurants and entering three additional states – Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia. In all, more than 40 additional restaurants are committed under development agreements, including 18 locations that the brand signed in 2020.
Eggs Up Grill was recently ranked no. 1 in the Breakfast Restaurants category in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500®, for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power.
According to Black Box Intelligence, Eggs Up Grill consistently outperforms its competitors in unit sales recovery in the family and casual-dining segment both regionally and nationally. One recent contributing factor was Eggs Up Grill’s quick adaptation and emphasis on takeout, delivery, and catering at the beginning of 2020. The off-premise segment now makes up more than 20 percent of total sales, boosting Q4 revenues back to 90 percent of what they were prior to COVID-19 restrictions. In fact, 30 percent of restaurants increased year-over-year sales from fourth quarter 2019.
To maintain those sales levels through 2021, Eggs Up Grill is continuing to adapt to the needs of its franchisees and guests. Amplifying the 2020 introduction of a “touchless” experience (QR code menus, digital ordering, contactless payments), the brand is rolling out improvements in online technology to make it easier for its guest to order takeout and delivery. Additionally, the brand is evolving its prototype to further streamline back-of-the-house operations.
“In 2021, we are fully focused on growth - in sales, franchisee profitability, and in new restaurants,” said CEO Ricky Richardson. “While 2020 was uniquely challenging it helped us refine our business model, identify new sales channels, and streamline restaurant operations in a way that serves as a terrific foundation for accelerated growth in 2021.”
Historically a brand that focused on single restaurant franchisees, Eggs Up Grill is also targeting business-focused investors, both with and without restaurant experience, who are looking for a business growth opportunity. Franchise partners are attracted to its brand positioning, daypart focus (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.), successful business model and best in class franchise support, all with a two decade plus proven track record.
Todd Owen, vice president of franchise sales and development for Eggs Up Grill said, “Once they dive into the brand and engage with our existing franchise partners, prospective franchisees really appreciate the scalability of the concept. Fifty-percent of franchisees have multiple locations, and many have signed agreements for additional restaurants.”
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 46 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 https://www.eggsupgrill.com/franchise.
