How Eggs Up Grill Franchisees Give Customers and Neighbors a Recipe for Success During Times of Crisis

It can be hard for leaders in the restaurant industry to remain optimistic in a time of illustrated vulnerability and uncertainty. Eggs Up Grill — which has always provided a growing sense of comfort, connection and excitement to the community—stands ready for the challenge in overcoming the Coronavirus crisis.

CEO Ricky Richardson has spent years building and expanding upon the company’s small-town ethos that thrives best in a close-knit community. 

Before the pandemic, Richardson adapted the growing Eggs Up Grill model while still staying authentic and charming to the founders’ respect. Keeping the end in mind, Eggs Up Grill will continue to provide operational support and financial relief to franchisees. 

“In the days after schools close, many restaurants offered free meals to children,” stated Richardson. “Now that the school districts have meal plans in place, we are working on other ways we can help like offering groceries for sale and serving meals to community organizations, health professionals and first responders.” 

While it may be uneasy for franchisors and franchisees to think about right now, the reality for restaurants is that the pandemic will not last forever. Still, restaurants will certainly change as a result. Today, leaders of the industry must think into the future.

“As a brand, we are providing direct financial relief to our franchisees, negotiating price concessions from vendors, sharing guidance for lease and rent negotiations and preparing our owners for how they can best support their teams” said Richardson.

Without the ability to provide dine-in-experiences for customers, Eggs Up Grill franchise owners have instead been able to support their local community externally by facilitating the gap for customers, employees and volunteers who still want to engage and give back to others.

Now with new initiatives, Eggs Up Grill owners are driving the restaurant’s value out to people instead of bringing them in to dine. “We have expedited online ordering and third-party delivery support across the system,” said Richardson. “We are also holding daily forums to share best practices and learn from the successes local owners are realizing in their community.” 

According to Richardson, “Our new Family Bundle is built to feed a family of four. Some franchise owners are also offering family-sized portions of other favorite entrees like our pancakes, shrimp and grits, home fry bowls and build-your-own biscuits.” 

Today, the community-focused core value of Eggs Up Grill has created ongoing opportunities for each location to be a helpful resource for access to food for neighbors and anyone in need.

Eggs Up Grill franchise owners such as Michael McNeal in Albany, Georgia have been raising donations to help deliver boxed meals to medical workers and essential workers. With ongoing support of local churches and mission-based organizations (as well), McNeal has donated nearly 2,000 meals to support the people of Albany.

In a recent FOX 31 News interview, McNeal explained his motives. "Not only are we able to partner with the community to help the healthcare workers at Phoebe, it's been in return helpful for my employees to sustain a job in an industry that has been extremely hit hard by this virus,” he said.

It is no question that the coronavirus has changed local, regional and global perspectives. Still, communities across the southeast region of the U.S. can see how Eggs Up Grill has remained a positive, authentic asset in their lives. 

“We understand that these are unusual times and we are in a position where we can help our neighbors” said Richardson.

In addition, Eggs Up Grill’s holistic approach to the coronavirus allows for brand longevity and continued growth, especially when local owners are able to continue making an engaging or charitable impact with financial support from the franchisor.

Now, the breakfast concept is fueling local culture and local economies across the southeast, as well as providing long lasting comfort, connection and excitement to its customers. That’s why, even in times of uncertainty, the Eggs Up Grill team is in good hands.