Mary Ashton Dukes, co-owner of the Wilmington location of Eggs Up Grill, recently discussed via email how her location has fared throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

GWBJ: Having opened in January, just two months before Gov. Roy Cooper imposed restrictions on dine-in service, were you able to remain open during the initial quarantine period? 

Dukes: "With Governor Cooper’s restrictions closing our dining rooms, we made the tough decision to temporarily close our business due to elevated health risks in our area. This wasn’t an easy decision and one we were fortunate only took place for a few weeks until we were able to reopen at a limited capacity. Serving our community is something we feel very passionately about, and we were so happy to see our guests again once quarantine restrictions eased."

GWBJ: Your franchise agreement includes the opening of five additional stores throughout the region. Has the pandemic affected your plans for expansion? 

Dukes: "It has not affected our expansion plans. As we look for real estate for our future restaurants, we are putting a bigger emphasis on patio dining and even considering options like a takeout window."

GWBJ: Had you built up enough of a clientele to support carryout only service when that began back in March? 

Dukes: "Being a new restaurant, we were making strides introducing Eggs Up Grill to the community and building loyal guests. It was very difficult to support the restaurant by relying solely on carryout. Since reopening, we have continued to build more business with takeout, online ordering, and delivery. Guests can place orders through our website (www.eggsupgrill.com/order) or the Toast Takeout App.

"We also partnered with DoorDash. As long as COVID-19 is a part of our reality, we know that people will rely on takeout and delivery for food. We are doing everything we can to adapt and make it easy for people to enjoy Eggs Up Grill wherever they are!"

GWBJ: How much of an impact has COVID-19 had on your business? 

Dukes: "COVID-19 has been unprecedented for everyone. The restaurant industry has been hit especially hard. Along with restrictions on dining room capacity, people are still unsure about eating out. We take COVID-19 precautions seriously and invested a lot to ensure that guests to our restaurant have a safe and enjoyable dining experience. We are very fortunate to have great guests who have continued to support us through these tough times."

GWBJ: Have you been able to remain fully staffed?

Dukes: "Our team is the heart and soul of our restaurant and it we had to make the difficult decision to let them go during our temporary closure.  We worked closely to support them in any way we could, assisting with the unemployment process to help them get the resources they needed during that time.  We are happy to say that we’ve been able to hire back many of our team members.  We look forward to hiring more people as our business picks up!"

GWBJ: Now that dine-in service has resumed at 50% capacity, what changes have you implemented to welcome diners back to Eggs Up Grill? 

Dukes: "We rolled out a new promotional lineup, Awaken to Bacon. If you love bacon, you will love these new items. We also continued our Family Bundle meals for takeout and delivery to make it easier on families to feed everyone for $25. We have engaged a third-party delivery partner to make it easier for guests to enjoy Eggs Up Grill at home."

GWBJ: What are some of the measures you’re taking to keep your staff and customers safe?

Dukes: "Our team members all wear masks. We also take their temperature and ensure they’re healthy prior to working. We stepped up our already stringent cleaning routines and sanitized high-touch areas even more frequently. We took all of our condiments off the table and provide single-use options to guests. All of our tables are spaced out.  We limit people waiting inside our restaurant for a table and call them when we have their table ready. Guests also follow the state mandate for wearing masks inside restaurants."

GWBJ: Have you sought any financial assistance for the business?

Dukes: "We were very fortunate to qualify for the payroll protection plan."

GWBJ: What has surprised you most about impact of the virus on the restaurant industry?

Dukes: "The restaurant industry is and always has been extremely resilient. We have been pleasantly surprised and fortunate at how well the community has supported us, particularly for being open for such a short time prior to COVID-19."

GWBJ: Has the company made any changes to the menu in light of the current circumstances?

Dukes: "In addition to the promotional items outlined above, the brand is also refreshing the menu this fall. We will take off some items to help with operations in the kitchen. There will also be some new favorites added—like the Philly Cheese Steak Benedict and a Shrimp and Grits Bowl, which we know guests will enjoy!"

Eggs Up Grill is located at 5932-110 Carolina Beach Rd. and is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. 

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