Ike’s Love & Sandwiches has today announced the signing of its first multi-unit development agreement to franchise 10 locations throughout Utah and greater Las Vegas. This partnership marks the first development deal since the brand launched its franchising efforts in April and supports Ike’s plans to grow to at least 500 locations over the next five years.
Driving Ike’s expansion in the southwest is Freddy Smith, owner of Fabulous Freddy’s Car Wash locations throughout Las Vegas and Utah. Smith was born and raised in Salt Lake City and is the grandson of the founders of Smith’s Food and Drug, which grew to 120 locations before being sold to Kroger in the late 90s. In an effort to expand his service offerings at his car wash locations, Smith sought out a restaurant brand, resulting in his partnership with Ike’s Love & Sandwiches.
“When I heard the news that Ike’s Love & Sandwiches was now franchising, I jumped at the chance to partner with one of the most unique sandwich concepts on the market,” says Freddy Smith. “Founder Ike Shehadeh’s charismatic personality along with his dedication to producing innovative sandwiches motivated me to pursue this strong investment opportunity. In addition, the communication with the Fransmart development team has been top notch throughout this entire process and I look forward to our first opening later in 2019.”
“Since the launch of our national franchising program in early April, we’ve seen an incredible amount of interest from potential franchisees,” says Ike Shehadeh, founder of Ike’s Love & Sandwiches. “Looking for the most skilled groups, we’re thrilled to partner with such an elite operator as Freddy and excited to have him be part of our early growth story. Utah and Vegas are prime markets we’ve been targeting for growth, so we’re doubly excited.”
Ike’s Love & Sandwiches recently partnered with Fransmart, the company behind the growth of brands like Five Guys Burgers & Fries, The Halal Guys and Qdoba Mexican Grill, to expand the brand nationwide.
Founded by Ike Shehadeh in 2007, Ike’s Love & Sandwiches offers customers over 500 different varieties of sandwiches to choose from, all of which include “Ike’s Dirty Secret Sauce,” a proprietary blend that is baked directly into the bread. With 55 units throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Ike’s is now offering franchise opportunities for experienced multi-unit operators to develop territories across the country.
