Twisted Egg Shack is slated to open two Texas locations by early next year. (Image credit: Twisted Egg Shack Facebook)
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Twisted Egg Shack, one of the fastest-rising quick-service breakfast and lunch concepts, is embarking on a major expansion in Texas. The brand has signed an exclusive Area Development Agreement with 1836Brands, according to QSR Magazine.
1836 Brands, run by Joey Eguia and Collins Orr, is slated to oversee the development of more than 60 Twisted Egg Shack restaurants across the Lone Star State. The agreement is one of the largest area development deals in the brand’s history.
“We will have other locations opening in the Houston area. Manvel will open around March 1st, 2027, and we are close to another lease signing in League City on a second-generation space, and that would put its opening also around March of 2027,” Twisted Egg Shack Co-Founder, Clay Carson, told What Now Houston in an interview.
“These openings represent an important milestone for the brand and the beginning of a much larger expansion across Florida, Texas, and other markets.”
Carson founded the Twisted Egg Shack along with restaurant industry veterans Chris Milton, Bret Baumgartner, and James Gray in 2024. The brand opened its flagship drive-thru location in Beaumont, Texas, on September 16, 2024, quickly gaining popularity for its speed, fresh-made menu, and specialty coffee.
The team is known to bring breakfast success to communities across the state. Milton is the co-founder of the successful Toasted Yolk Café franchise, and Baumgartner is a former top-performing franchise partner for the same brand.
In 2025, the Twisted Egg Shack began national franchising efforts targeting a compact, low-cost drive-thru model, securing agreements in markets across Florida (Tampa Bay) and Texas. There are currently two Twisted Egg Shack locations open, both operating in Southeast Texas. The plan is to open in a location in Lakeland, FL, this November, before opening the Manvel and League City locations in March 2027 and another in Denver, CO.
“The expansion came from the early response to the Twisted Egg Shack concept. Customers connected with the food, the personality of the brand, and the convenience of having a true breakfast, coffee, and lunch concept built around quick-service operations and drive-thru speed,” Carson said.
“Lakeland and the new Houston stores are the beginning, not a one-off opening. Our plan is to grow in a measured but aggressive way, creating clusters of locations that can support one another operationally and from a marketing standpoint. Texas is a major part of that strategy.”
Eguia of 1836 Brands brings more than three decades of restaurant leadership experience to the partnership. The hospitality group was founded in 2021 by Bobby and Collins Orr. Since then, they have made several investments in several brands in the Houston market and the entire state of Texas. What Now also briefly spoke with Orr, who confirmed the agreement and upcoming openings.
“We have known Chris Milton and Clay Carson for a very long time, and we were very excited when they presented us with the opportunity to become area developers for Twisted Egg Shack,” Orr said.
“Seeing how successful Chris and Clay have been with Toasted Yolk over the years, we are blessed to be a part of their next venture.”
The Nguyen Group, 1836 brand’s first Houston area franchise group, is expecting to have possession of their space in Manvel in Q4 of this year. The plan is to open that location by Spring/beginning of summer of 2027. This location will sit along Highway 6 and Meridiana Parkway, while League City will open in a closed Jack in the Box in the region.
“With over 40 years in Real Estate Development and Site Selection Services, Bobby and Collins are prepared to find great locations; now they are building a network of experienced operators,” the 1836 Brands website reads.
Known for its extensive breakfast menu, The Twisted Egg Shack, also fondly called “The Shack”, serves scratch-made, cooked-to-order food in a fun and colorful environment.
“The menu is designed around craveable food that travels well and can be executed quickly,” Carson shared.
“We combine the quality and creativity of a premium brunch restaurant with the speed and convenience of a modern QSR. Guests can grab a breakfast taco, sandwich, chicken strips, specialty coffee, or refresher through the drive-thru without sacrificing freshness or flavor. Our mission is simple: Fuel Your Cravings!”
Coffee and beverages are a major part of The Shack’s identity.
“We want guests to think of The Shack as frequently for a great coffee or refresher as they do for breakfast or lunch,” Carson said.
Twisted Egg Shack is known for its variety of morning beverages. (Image Credit: Twisted Egg Shack Facebook)
“Twisted Egg Shack fills a much-needed gap in the rapidly growing breakfast segment. We serve world-class, fresh-brewed, craft coffee in partnership with Peet’s Coffee, other energizers, and fresh-squeezed juices,” Orr said.
“But unlike any of our competitors, who may have a few pastry options, we serve a full menu of gourmet meals made with the finest ingredients for breakfast and lunch, all through the convenience of a drive-thru.”
And this is just the beginning of spreading the good morning vibes across the state of Texas.
“We are actively building a pipeline across Texas while working with franchise partners in Central Florida, Denver, and other targeted markets,” Carson said.
“The goal is not simply to open as many restaurants as possible. We want to select the right operators, the right trade areas, and the right real estate so every restaurant has a strong foundation for long-term success.”
With all of the challenges that come with opening a successful franchise restaurant, keeping an eye on long-term success is key for the brand.
“Growth is exciting, but disciplined execution is what ultimately makes growth sustainable,” Carson said.
“Our biggest focus is making sure the restaurant is genuinely ready before opening the doors. That means protecting the quality of the food, delivering fast drive-thru times, building a strong service culture, and ensuring the team understands the personality of the brand.”
For those who have yet to experience The Shack’s iconic personality, you’ll have your chance at the brand’s upcoming grand openings. As we inch closer towards the next Texas Twisted Egg Shack opening, we’re sure more will be revealed. So keep your eyes peeled and your ears perked for the latest.
“Twisted Egg Shack may be a young brand, but it is being built by a team with decades of restaurant, franchise, operations, and real estate experience. We have the energy and creativity of an emerging concept, backed by the systems, purchasing relationships, and operational knowledge of a much more established organization,” Carson said.
“Most importantly, we are here to have fun, serve outstanding food, and earn a place in the community—one breakfast taco, coffee, and drive-thru visit at a time. Welcome to The Shack!”
Under this newly signed agreement, the Twisted Egg Shack is anticipated to open in Manvel and League City in March 2027.
Twisted Egg Shack offers fresh ingredients, made-to-order meals, and bold flavors — all served fast, fresh, and with a twist. (Image Credit: Twisted Egg Shack Facebook)
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Candese Charles first fell in love with journalism in the second grade, when she started the Charles Gazette. Since then, her career as a journalist has taken her to TV screens in New Orleans, the Bay Area, and Las Vegas. She believes that a good story has the power to change the world or at least change the way you think about food. Food is a love language for her, as both her father and brother are chefs. Originally from Los Angeles, after a trek across the country for her career as a TV news reporter, she's happy to call North Las Vegas home. When she's not writing about the hottest and newest restaurants, she's spending time with her family, catching concerts and music festivals, or brunching with her besties. She's excited to bring you a delicious bite of the next big restaurant.
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