Eggs Up Grill to open 10 more locations, spanning from Virginia Beach to Newport News

Just shy of a dozen, Eggs Up Grill has one location in Hampton Roads and another 10 are on the way.

The breakfast, brunch and lunch franchise will expand soon from its first location on West 22nd Street in Norfolk.

Michael Said and Steve McCue opened their Eggs Up Grill in the Center Shops in November 2021. Fellow franchisees Tony and Brigitte Bartley Sawyer will open their first Eggs Up Grill location in late 2023. The couple signed their deal for the restaurants in February and plan to open multiple locations in Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Newport News over the next 10 years.

Ken Phipps, Eggs Up Grill’s vice president of franchise growth, said the business is in the early stages of identifying the first location in Virginia Beach.

The Sawyers are no strangers to franchise ownership. Tony Sawyer owns 54 Sport Clips throughout the Southeast, including 10 in Hampton Roads, making him the largest sole operator of the hair care concept.

Tony Sawyer said in a news release that when they searched for their next venture, they wanted a concept with both a great product and great people.

“Eggs Up Grill has both,” he said. “What truly stood out to us was the leadership. They really care about franchisee success, which is why the brand is No. 1 in its category.”

Started in 1997 and headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Eggs Up Grill has 65 locations throughout seven states with more than 20 planned openings this year.

Ricky Richardson, CEO of Eggs Up Grill, said in the release that a large part of the company’s growth is the attraction of successful and larger, multiunit franchisees such as the Sawyers.

“It’s a great testament to the strength of our brand, and we are proud to partner with people like Tony and Brigitte, who share the business values that have made Eggs Up Grill the success it is,” Richardson said.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@insidebiz.com