Eggs Up Grill Climbs Into Rare Breakfast Air

Eggs Up Grill has announced the upcoming opening of its 110th restaurant in Spears Creek, South Carolina, marking a significant milestone as it positions itself as the largest actively franchising breakfast, brunch, and lunch franchisor in the industry. Since its inception in 1997, the brand has experienced robust growth, reporting a 30 percent increase in unit count year-over-year since 2021. CEO Ricky Richardson, who joined the company in July 2018, has been instrumental in this transformation, which has seen the brand more than quadruple in size.

The company currently has over 90 stores in development and has identified more than 1,000 additional trade areas for potential expansion. Average unit volumes for the brand stand at $1.6 million, with a notable 19.7 percent EBITDA reported among the top half of its system. The brand has enjoyed 21 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth, including a 4 percent increase in Q1, where five new restaurant openings occurred. Over the last five years, average unit volume has increased by 31 percent across its locations.

Significantly, over 60 percent of Eggs Up Grill's franchisees are actively operating or developing multi-unit locations, providing a strong foundation for future growth. In 2025, the chain opened 18 new restaurants, its highest annual number to date, and also added more than 30 new franchise commitments, with a focus on existing operators. The impressive pipeline indicates continued confidence in the brand, with 75 percent of new stores planned for 2026 coming from current franchisees.

To support its ambitious growth, Eggs Up Grill has introduced several operational enhancements, including the "Smile Society" program for customer engagement, a new kitchen design aimed at increasing throughput, and a partnership with Apple Pie Capital to assist franchisees with reinvestment strategies. With all expansion driven by franchising and only one corporate location, the brand's growth trajectory reflects a strong commitment to its franchise model.

Currently, South Carolina leads with 39 units, while North Carolina has increased from 12 to 20 locations in three years, and Georgia has grown from nine to 13 units, demonstrating a well-distributed geographical growth. Future developments will depend on the brand's ability to sustain this high pace of expansion through effective franchisee support and market penetration strategies.