--- title: "I Heart Mac & Cheese Signs Two-Store Franchise Development Agreement Marking Arrival In New Jersey" url: https://burnaze.com/article/0b76b18a-e165-47ef-8901-1c8e3b086db0 source: "Franchising.com" original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20191203_i_heart_mac_amp_cheese_signs_twostore_franchise_de.html category: "Signs" industry: "Business Services" segment: "Signs" topics: ["Development & multi-unit"] published: 2019-12-03T12:00:00.000Z modified: 2026-11-01T04:10:22.109Z image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524749292158-7540c2494485?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop --- # I Heart Mac & Cheese Signs Two-Store Franchise Development Agreement Marking Arrival In New Jersey **TL;DR:** I Heart Mac & Cheese has signed a two-store franchise development agreement in New Jersey, marking the brand's arrival in the state. The locations will be managed by Vikram Bir, who currently owns and operates two 7-11 franchises in the area. *originally published in Franchising.com on 2019-12-03. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20191203_i_heart_mac_amp_cheese_signs_twostore_franchise_de.html).* ## Story “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,” said Stephen Giordanella, I Heart Mac & Cheese CEO and Chairman. “We are thrilled to bring our popular concept into the state of New Jersey.” Vikram Bir will manage and oversee operations for both I Heart Mac & Cheese locations. No stranger to the franchise industry, Bir currently owns and operates two 7-11 franchises in Hamburg and Sparta. He was attracted to I Heart Mac & Cheese since the menu features two of America’s favorite foods – macaroni & cheese and grilled cheese – and loved the proven franchise business model. “I’m excited to expand and diversify my franchise portfolio with the addition of my two I Heart Mac & Cheese locations in New Jersey,” said Bir. “I really love the support system that the franchising industry offers, and I’ve always had a strong desire to open a restaurant concept. I’m proud to launch the brand as they continue to expand across the country.” 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. Most recently, the brand unveiled a new vegan menu featuring plant-based options through an official partnership that was launched with Beyond Meat®. 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. Guests can pair their 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. Several other locations have recently been announced, with upcoming openings in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, New York and Texas. I Heart Mac & Cheese is a fast-casual concept specializing in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls and grilled cheese sandwiches. Also, on the menu are lifestyle choices with quinoa, broccoli or cauliflower bowls, as well as gluten-free pasta. In 2019, the brand unveiled a new vegan menu featuring plant-based options through an official partnership that was launched with Beyond Meat®. The menu combines award-winning recipes resulting in a grown-up approach to this classic childhood dish. Guests in search of an easy-to-eat treat can enjoy the brand’s newest menu item, Mac Bites, that are baked, bite-size portions perfect to eat while you are on the go in flavors like Bacon Cheeseburger, Buffalo Chicken, The Cuban, Lobster and Classic. The first location opened in 2016 in Fort Lauderdale. Florida locations include Pembroke Pines, Jupiter and Boca Raton. Additional locations are slated to open in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, New York and Texas. In 2017, the company launched its franchising program nationwide and has franchisee locations in Florida in Cooper City, Coral Springs, Davie, Deerfield Beach and Tallahassee, in Georgia in Athens and in New York in Patchogue and Bayside. ## Entities - Franchising.com (publication) - franchise development (topic) - Business Services (sector) - new jersey (location) - Beyond Meat (company) - fast casual concept (topic) - new jersey expansion (topic) --- Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20191203_i_heart_mac_amp_cheese_signs_twostore_franchise_de.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/0b76b18a-e165-47ef-8901-1c8e3b086db0).