(Franchise Buy) - By 3. Updated Jan 26, 2021

Eggs Up Grill Ranked #1 in Breakfast Restaurants in Entrepreneur’s Highly Competitive Franchise 500

Brand recognized for exceptional performance in areas such as growth, financial strength and stability and brand power.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Eggs Up Grill, a rapidly growing breakfast, brunch, and lunch brand, was recently ranked #1 in the Breakfast Restaurants category in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500®, the world’s first, best, and most comprehensive franchise ranking. The Franchise 500® ranked Eggs Up Grill for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power. 

“Being ranked in the prestigious Entrepreneur magazine Franchise 500®, as well as coming in at the top spot for the breakfast category, is a testament to the strength of our franchisees’ dedication to thriving in unprecedented times, but also sticking to who we are at the core, and that's neighbors serving neighbors,” said Eggs Up Grill CEO Ricky Richardson. “We offer a place where our guests can feel at home and enjoy a great tasting, freshly prepared meal that is delivered with a friendly smile. As many of our guests have shared with us, that is just what they needed over the last year.”

Eggs Up Grill celebrated a record nine restaurant openings in 2020 and is on track to open more than a dozen new restaurants, entering two additional states, in 2021. Richardson said despite 2020’s challenges, Eggs Up Grill had a productive year and these rankings further reinforce the strength of the brand, the commitment to being a best-in-class franchisor, and Eggs Up Grill’s staying power in the breakfast category. To view Eggs Up Grill in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500.

Since being acquired by WJ Partners in early 2018, Eggs Up Grill has grown to 46 restaurants in four states – Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina - doubling in size under Richardson’s leadership.  The brand’s 2021 plans include entry into Alabama and Tennessee as it continues to expand across the Southeast.  In all, more than 40 additional restaurants are committed under development agreements, including 18 locations that the brand signed in 2020. The impressive growth, despite the industry challenges of 2020, serves as an indicator that now, more than ever, Eggs Up Grill is an ideal brand for franchising in the restaurant segment.

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 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 while also testing an order pickup window to enable guests to receive their takeout order without leaving the car.

“As we enter 2021, we are fully focused on growth - in sales, franchisee profitability and in new restaurants,” said 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 am – 2 pm), successful business model and top notch 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. Originally founded in Pawleys Island, S.C., in 1997 by restaurateur Chris Skodras, Eggs Up Grill has grown to 46 restaurants across the Southeast and is headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C. With strong AUVs and consistent comp sales momentum, no wonder existing franchisees are reinvesting in the brand and new franchisees are joining the Eggs Up Grill family.

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 2022. For more information, visit https://www.eggsupgrill.com/franchise.