---
title: "Entrepreneur Magazine: Why the Former President of TGI Fridays Moved to an Emerging Southern Breakfast and Lunch Concept"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/4416a50b-5242-44da-b4fc-a29c5c4394ea
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/entrepreneur-magazine-why-the-former-president-of-tgi-fridays-moved-to-an-emerging-southern-breakfast-and-lunch-concept-2712475
category: "Bakery & breakfast"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Bakery & breakfast"
topics: ["People","Emerging brands"]
published: 2020-07-14T14:09:47.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T01:48:27.758Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/8cea6ef6ff3cf5399b8d8b0b206675141130.jpg
---

# Entrepreneur Magazine: Why the Former President of TGI Fridays Moved to an Emerging Southern Breakfast and Lunch Concept

**TL;DR:** Ricky Richardson, former president of TGI Fridays, is driving growth as CEO of Eggs Up Grill, which was acquired by WJ Partners in 2018. Richardson is guiding the franchise with Vice President of Franchise Development Todd Owen, aiming for 18 projected openings in 2020 and 20+ in 2021.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2020-07-14. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/entrepreneur-magazine-why-the-former-president-of-tgi-fridays-moved-to-an-emerging-southern-breakfast-and-lunch-concept-2712475).*

## Story

In a feature story in the most recent issue of Entrepreneur Magazine , the Eggs Up Grill team elaborates on the new leadership of the brand and how they are driving growth with the unique culture and business model that attracts passionate franchisees and customers to the breakfast and lunch concept.

Ricky Richardson, Eggs Up Grill CEO and former president of TGI Fridays, joined Eggs Up Grill in July 2018, shortly after the brand was acquired by private investment firm WJ Partners and put a strategy in place to open 100 restaurants by mid-2022. Richardson has more than 35 years of multi-unit and franchise operations experience, including 20+ years with TGI Fridays, where he served as president and chief operating officer and supervised more than 500 restaurants.

“What’s so appealing about Eggs Up Grill is the level of authenticity that comes with it. That connection is really differentiating and compelling for a guest,” said Richardson.

Richardson, with Vice President of Franchise Development Todd Owen, is guiding the franchise and fueling its growth with 18 projected openings in 2020, followed by 20+ openings in 2021.

For any fans eager to get cracking with this thriving breakfast concept, Eggs Up Grill recommends visiting their franchising website to get started.

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- franchise growth (topic)
- Entrepreneur (publication)
- leadership change (topic)
- Eggs Up Grill (company)
- TGI Fridays (company)
- Ricky Richardson (person)
- private investment (topic)
- breakfast concept (topic)

---
Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/entrepreneur-magazine-why-the-former-president-of-tgi-fridays-moved-to-an-emerging-southern-breakfast-and-lunch-concept-2712475). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/4416a50b-5242-44da-b4fc-a29c5c4394ea).