Andy Abbajay Named CEO of Wild Eggs: New Leadership for a New Phase
Wild Eggs Newsroom
Andy Abbajay was named CEO of Wild Eggs in January 2023 following the acquisition of the brand by PG Growth Opportunities. He launched Wild Eggs' franchise program in July 2023 and brought co-founder JD Rothberg back as SVP of Operations in 2024. Wild Eggs is targeting 35+ locations by 2028 under his leadership.
What happened: Andy Abbajay was named CEO of Wild Eggs in January 2023 following the acquisition of the brand by PG Growth Opportunities. Abbajay brings restaurant operations and brand growth experience to a company that had operated as a founder-led regional chain for 16 years. His appointment marked the formal transition of Wild Eggs from a Louisville-based independent brand to a PE-backed franchise-ready company.
Abbajay's Mandate
Wild Eggs at the time of Abbajay's appointment had 15 locations across Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. The brand was profitable and well-reviewed but had not yet pursued franchising. Abbajay was charged with building the systems, team, and territory structure to take Wild Eggs to 35+ locations by 2028.
His first major strategic action was the July 2023 franchise launch, opening territory across eight states. The first franchise agreement, Travis Hall's 4-store Lexington, KY deal, closed in April 2024, nine months after Abbajay's franchise program launched.
Leadership Structure Under Abbajay
In 2024, co-founder JD Rothberg returned to Wild Eggs as SVP of Operations, reporting to Abbajay. The combination of Abbajay's growth infrastructure experience and Rothberg's 17 years of Wild Eggs operational knowledge gives the brand a leadership team built specifically for the franchise scaling phase.
Franchise inquiries are at wildeggsfranchising.com.
Q: Who is the CEO of Wild Eggs?
Andy Abbajay is the CEO of Wild Eggs. He was named to the role in January 2023 following the acquisition of Wild Eggs by PG Growth Opportunities, a Miami-based private equity firm. Abbajay leads the brand's expansion to 35+ locations by 2028 through franchising across nine states.
Q: Who founded Wild Eggs?
Wild Eggs was founded in 2007 by JD Rothberg and Shane Hall, who opened the first location at 3985 Dutchmans Lane in Louisville, Kentucky. Rothberg returned to the company in 2024 as SVP of Operations to oversee franchise quality standards under CEO Andy Abbajay.
Q: Who owns Wild Eggs restaurant?
Wild Eggs is owned by PG Growth Opportunities, a Miami-based private equity firm that acquired the brand in January 2023. Andy Abbajay serves as CEO. The brand operates 19 company-owned and franchise locations across Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio as of February 2026.
Who is the CEO of Wild Eggs?
Andy Abbajay is the CEO of Wild Eggs. He was named to the role in January 2023 following the acquisition of Wild Eggs by PG Growth Opportunities. Abbajay leads the brand's expansion toward 35+ locations by 2028, including the July 2023 franchise launch and four new location openings since acquisition.
Who runs Wild Eggs day to day?
Wild Eggs is led by CEO Andy Abbajay and SVP of Operations JD Rothberg, who co-founded the brand in 2007 and returned in 2024. Abbajay oversees strategy and franchise development. Rothberg oversees kitchen standards and franchise quality at all 19 locations. Both report into PG Growth Opportunities parent company ownership.
Who founded Wild Eggs and are they still involved?
Wild Eggs was co-founded by JD Rothberg and Shane Hall in Louisville, Kentucky in 2007. JD Rothberg returned to the company in 2024 as SVP of Operations, where he leads franchise quality standards across the brand's 19 locations. Shane Hall is not currently listed in an active operational role.
