I Heart Mac & Cheese signed a franchise agreement with BG Foodservice, which will open a Stuart, Florida, location in December 2019.

“I Heart Mac & Cheese is a fun, attractive concept and an affordable franchise model that is easy to operate, with support systems in place to help our partners be successful,” says Stephen Giordanella, I Heart Mac & Cheese CEO and Chairman. “We are thrilled to have BG Foodservice onboard with I Heart Mac & Cheese, and know they are the right partner to bring our thriving brand to Stuart.”

BG Foodservice is owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo Barry and Bridget Gertz, who have been residents of South Florida for more than 30 years.  The two share more than 40 collective years of industry experience working across food distribution, manufacturing, brokering and catering, including roles with Cheney Brothers and Sysco. The couple first encountered I Heart Mac & Cheese through Bridget’s role as a vendor to the company’s corporate office. Upon visiting a location personally, they were impressed with the concept, as well as the ease to open a new location as a franchisee.

I Heart Mac & Cheese is well-known for custom, build-your-own macaroni and cheese bowls and grilled cheese sandwiches. Guests select a pasta, bread, quinoa, broccoli or cauliflower base along with seven different proteins, vegetables, and cheeses. Gluten-free options are also available. Sesame ginger, mango habanero, buffalo, BBQ, and pesto are a few of the delicious dressings and sauces available to mix in or top off each creation. In addition to customized options, the menu includes specialty chef special items like Baked Chicken Parmesan, Baked Meatball Parmesan, The Cuban, Pepperoni Pizza, and Lobster & White Truffle Mac, among others. Pair your meal with the perfect side of Tomato Soup and finish it with a selection of desserts such as Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies and Marshmallow Treats.

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.  With a home office in South Florida, I Heart Mac & Cheese offers franchise owner training, marketing support and ongoing development opportunities to ensure each location’s success. Earlier this year, I Heart Mac & Cheese was ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top new franchise opportunities in 2019.

This month, I Heart Mac & Cheese opened their newest location in Tallahassee, Florida. Several other restaurants have recently been announced as well, with upcoming openings in other areas of Florida, as well as Georgia, New York and Texas.