Who Owns Over Easy Restaurant In Arizona?
Over Easy is a popular breakfast and brunch restaurant chain that first opened in Phoenix, Arizona in 1980. Founded by chef John Smith, Over Easy aimed to bring classic breakfast dishes like omelets, pancakes, and eggs benedict to diners in a lively and casual setting. The original restaurant on Central Avenue quickly became a beloved neighborhood staple known for its fluffy omelets and signature sausage gravy biscuits.
Over the past 40 years, Over Easy has grown from that one location in Phoenix to 30 restaurants throughout Arizona, with additional locations in Nevada and New Mexico. While the chain has expanded, each Over Easy location maintains the cozy, relaxed atmosphere of that first restaurant. The restaurants continue to focus on delivering tasty, homestyle breakfast and brunch favorites using high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible. Though the menu has evolved, customer favorites like the Slinger skillet and Belgian waffles remain cornerstones of the Down Home Classics section.
History
Over Easy was founded in 2008 by celebrity chef Aaron May in Phoenix, Arizona. Chef May converted an old Taco Bell on Thomas Road into the first Over Easy location, bringing his creative breakfast menu to the area (About | Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant). The restaurant quickly became popular for its comforting dishes like stuffed French toast, specialty Benedicts, and creative pancake flights. Over Easy focused on delivering a lively, fun dining experience in a casual environment (Over Easy | Success Story).
In 2017, Chef May opened a second, larger Over Easy location in the Biltmore area of Phoenix. The 5,800 square foot space featured an expansive patio and bar, allowing Over Easy to accommodate more guests. At the time, May expressed plans to continue growing the Over Easy brand (Over Easy restaurant in Phoenix offers grand-opening).
Over Easy has remained under the ownership of founder Aaron May since its inception in 2008. May continues to oversee menu development and operations for both locations in Phoenix.
Menu
Over Easy serves classic American diner fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their menu features eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and milkshakes.
Some of their signature dishes include:
- Breakfast poutine – fries, cheese curds, sausage gravy, sunny side up eggs
- Chicken and waffles – fried chicken on top of Belgian waffles
- Breakfast tacos – scrambled eggs, cheese, potatoes wrapped in a flour tortilla
The restaurant offers options for various diets including:
- Gluten-free pancakes and toast
- Vegetarian omelets and burgers
- Vegan milkshakes
The full menu with prices is available on their website at https://www.themenyuapp.com/restaurant-profile.php?restaurantId=6380
Locations
Over Easy currently has 6 restaurant locations across Arizona, primarily concentrated in the Phoenix metropolitan area (Zippia). Their restaurants can be found in the following cities and neighborhoods:
- Phoenix – Arcadia, Biltmore, Uptown
- Scottsdale – Old Town
- Tempe – Downtown
- Chandler – Downtown
Over Easy started in Phoenix and has expanded throughout central Arizona over the past decade. They focus on upscale urban locations that attract both locals and visitors. Their restaurants are located in popular dining and entertainment districts for easy access (Zippia).
Atmosphere
Over Easy locations are known for their bright, open, and fun atmosphere. The restaurants feature art deco-inspired interiors with bright pops of color and whimsical accents. Large windows and an open kitchen create an airy vibe according to this Tripadvisor review. The decor features retro dinette-style booths and funky stained glass light fixtures.
Customers can expect a lively yet laidback dining experience at Over Easy. The vibe is casual, energetic, and family-friendly. The restaurants get especially busy on weekend mornings when customers line up for the popular brunch menu. Servers are fast-paced but friendly as they deliver plates of pancakes, eggs benedict, and other brunch favorites to satisfied customers according to this Yelp review. The overall experience focuses on quality comfort food in a setting that’s equal parts nostalgic diner and modern hipster cafe.
Awards & Recognition
Over Easy has won several prestigious awards since opening in 2008. In 2021, Over Easy was named “Best Breakfast” by Phoenix Magazine for the third year in a row. The restaurant earned top honors for both its creative menu and high-quality ingredients that set it apart from other breakfast spots. Over Easy has also been featured in Phoenix’s “Top 100 Restaurants” list each year since 2012.
In addition to awards, Over Easy boasts excellent reviews across multiple platforms. On Toast, the restaurant has a 4.8/5 star rating based on over 500 diner reviews. Common compliments mention the fluffy pancakes, unique hashes, and fresh squeezed juices. Both expert food critics and everyday diners agree – Over Easy offers an outstanding breakfast experience with thoughtful touches that exceed expectations.
Philanthropy
Over Easy is dedicated to giving back and supporting local communities. According to their website, “Over Easy believes community is a verb.”
The restaurant partners with several charities and regularly hosts fundraisers and donation drives. Some of their charitable partners include St. Mary’s Food Bank, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, and local animal shelters.
Over Easy also supports teachers and schools through its “Teacher Tuesday” promotion which offers teachers a free meal every Tuesday. The restaurant also hosts spirit nights where a percentage of proceeds go back to local schools and youth sports leagues.
Owners Mark and Jennifer Smith are passionate about community involvement and volunteer at local charities. The restaurant also donates food to shelters and community organizations on a regular basis.
As their website states, “We feel a business is only as good as the community it helps create.” Over Easy lives up to this mission through its generous philanthropy and community engagement.
Leadership
Over Easy was founded by restaurateur Aaron May, who remains the owner and CEO of the company. May opened the first Over Easy location in Phoenix, Arizona in 2012 after finding success with his previous restaurants Postino Winecafe and Joyride Taco House.
Key personnel at Over Easy include Joe Kaczmarski, who serves as Vice President of Sales, and Kristie Whitesell, the Chef and Restaurant Owner. Both Kaczmarski and Whitesell have been with Over Easy for several years and help May oversee operations and expansion of the popular breakfast and brunch eatery (Source: https://www.linkedin.com/company/over-easy, Source: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eatatovereasy).
Competition
Over Easy faces competition from several other restaurants in Arizona with similar concepts, especially breakfast-focused eateries like Ojos Locos and Holy Grail Tavern & Grille (1). However, Over Easy stands out with its signature dishes like the Overstuffed Breakfast Burrito and homemade granola. The restaurant also has a more upscale, modern ambiance compared to many of its competitors.
In terms of revenue, Over Easy competes with larger chains like Edge Brewing Co. and City Winery. But for a locally owned and operated restaurant, Over Easy performs well with estimated annual revenue around $3.7 million (2). The restaurant’s commitment to fresh, high quality ingredients and excellent service helps explain its continued success in a competitive market.
While other restaurants may mimic aspects of Over Easy’s menu or style, none can fully replicate the restaurant’s unique charm and culinary creativity. Over Easy has carved out a special niche in the Arizona breakfast and brunch scene that should enable it to thrive for years to come.
The Future of Over Easy
Over Easy has exciting plans for expansion and growth in the coming years. The popular breakfast and brunch spot aims to open at least 5 new locations across Arizona by 2025. Target cities for expansion include Tucson, Flagstaff, and Yuma. Over Easy’s leadership team is scouting real estate and meeting with investors to secure funding for adding more seats and serving more guests.
In addition to expansion, Over Easy is rolling out new menu items and initiatives to delight customers. Some of the upcoming offerings include made-to-order omelettes, healthier bowl options, and fresh-squeezed juice selections. Over Easy wants to cater to a wider range of dietary needs and preferences. New technology initiatives are also underway, with Over Easy developing a mobile app for online ordering and loyalty rewards.
However, Over Easy faces some challenges ahead. The rising costs of labor, rent, supplies and inflation in the post-pandemic era could impact profit margins. Hiring and retaining staff is also an issue in the competitive restaurant labor market. Additionally, since Over Easy specializes in breakfast and brunch, they may need to expand hours or add dinner service to grow revenue. But the leadership team is committed to finding solutions through careful planning and innovation.
