Industry vets from Firehouse Subs, IHOP will open four Eggs Up Grills in Columbus
Eggs Up Grill, a rapidly expanding breakfast, brunch and lunch concept, signed a multi-restaurant development agreement with industry veterans Paul and Sheryl Belle, their grandson Mitchell Belle and their longtime valued operations manager Josh O’Neil. Belle Restaurant Management, LLC will open four Eggs Up Grills in the Columbus, Ohio market. The group’s collective background includes Firehouse Subs and IHOP. Mitchell and Josh will operate the restaurants with plans to open the first location in early 2024.
“It goes without saying that we could not have a better partner in the Belle organization,” said Ricky Richardson, CEO of Eggs Up Grill. “They are experienced restauranteurs and a sophisticated franchise group with a proven track record of success, energized by the Eggs Up Grill guest experience, business model and growth opportunity. I am personally excited to have them leading the Eggs Up Grill expansion into Ohio.”
Paul and Sheryl Belle are native Ohioans and currently own a Firehouse Subs franchise in Columbus. Previously they were area representatives with Firehouse Subs, developing central and northeastern Ohio and overseeing 18 restaurants. They sold the business in 2021. Prior to Firehouse Subs, Paul Belle was an IHOP franchisee and partner with eight restaurants in northern Virginia. He currently serves on the board of the Ohio Restaurant Association and is chairman of the National Restaurant Association United Healthcare Restaurant Trust. Belle says he is looking forward to this new chapter in the family business. It provides Mitchell and Josh new growth opportunities, and it continues to build a legacy for Belle Restaurant Management.
“We couldn’t be more excited to begin this new journey,” said Paul Belle. “Having a deep understanding of the profitability of a breakfast menu, we were drawn to the economics of Eggs Up Grill, the appeal of a single shift operation and the culture of the brand. It was also important to us how receptive Ricky and his team were to our questions and feedback. Ricky’s leadership and knowledge is impressive as he leads the company and its growth. We knew this was the best breakfast franchise to bring to our home state of Ohio.”
The agreement comes during a record-breaking year for Eggs Up Grill in both new restaurant openings and development commitments. So far, eight restaurants have opened in 2023 with another 8-10 openings projected through year-end. Eggs Up Grill has more than 20 locations currently under development and targeted for openings in 2024. Year-to-date, Eggs Up Grill has signed on 11 different groups of franchise partners, adding 34 restaurants to its rapidly increasing development pipeline.
‘This is a significant moment for Eggs Up Grill as we expand our footprint and now enter the Midwest. We’ve proven out the success of new state, new market entry for our concept and that our food, flavors, uniquely friendly service and the appeal of our neighborhood brand can work anywhere,” Richardson added.
Eggs Up Grill is home to the whole neighborhood and has been serving smiles for more than 25 years. The aromas of freshly brewed coffee, savory bacon and hand-cracked, farm-fresh eggs and juicy burgers 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. Ranked as the No. 1 breakfast franchise by Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500® three years in a row, Eggs Up Grill is experiencing record growth. Founded in Pawleys Island, S.C., Eggs Up Grill now has 67 locations open, with a region-wide presence of 170 Eggs Up Grills open, under development or committed to open by local franchise partners. For more information, visit eggsupgrillfranchise.com.
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