Boca Raton, Fla. — I Heart Mac & Cheese, a rapidly expanding fast-casual concept specializing in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls, grilled cheese sandwiches and specialty salads, has sold its corporate store in Patchogue, N.Y., as part of a multi-year New York City development deal. A private entity will operate the Patchogue store as a franchise, effective immediately, and begin executing a plan to expand the I Heart Mac & Cheese brand into all five boroughs of New York City.
“Our first corporate owned restaurant in Patchogue opened in January of this year and has been performing incredibly well, creating a lot of buzz locally and generating a lot of attention from potential partners,” says Stephen Giordanella, I Heart Mac & Cheese, CEO and chairman.
A unique franchise concept in the restaurant industry with no fryers, grease trap systems or hood systems, I Heart Mac & Cheese requires a low investment and can be opened in a small space, such as a mall kiosk or food court. Shopping malls, sports venues, areas close to colleges and universities, and high-traffic pedestrian areas are also ideal locations.
The first new I Heart Mac & Cheese location to open as part of this New York City development deal will come later this year in Lower Manhattan, near New York University. Several other restaurants have recently been announced as well, with upcoming openings in other areas of New York State, as well as Florida and Georgia.
I Heart Mac & Cheese is a fast-casual concept whose first location opened in 2016 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. South Florida locations include Pembroke Pines, Jupiter, Coral Springs and Boca Raton. Additional locations are slated to open in New York, Florida and Georgia. In 2017, the company launched its franchising program nationwide and has franchisee locations in Davie, Fla., and Patchogue, N.Y.
For more information on I Heart Mac & Cheese visit www.iheartmacandcheese.com.
SOURCE: I Heart Mac & Cheese