I Heart Mac & Cheese Commits To Supporting Its Franchisee Community

I Heart Mac & Cheese is committed to supporting its franchise owners during this period of uncertainty and plans to continue providing financial relief as the industry at large navigates its way through both the immediate and longer-term impacts of COVID-19. The company hopes these efforts will help franchisees protect cash flow while they adhere to the U.S. government's mandate for dining room closures as well as the CDC guidelines for social distancing to keep employees, customers and the community at large safe.

"I Heart Mac & Cheese understands the struggle our franchisees are facing during these unprecedented times,” said Stephen Giordanella, I Heart Mac & Cheese CEO and Chairman. "Supporting both our current and new franchisee partners is our team’s top priority, and we’ll continue to waive and abate these fees until further notice.”

Responding rapidly to the market conditions, I Heart Mac & Cheese has refined and implemented a number of new procedures. From food safety to employee health and hygiene, to restaurant sanitation and social distancing protocols, the brand has allocated an abundance of resources into its nationwide restaurant guidelines with the goal of enabling its operating franchisee community to continue to safely serve their customers. Like other fast-food and fast-casual chains, I Heart Mac & Cheese has also migrated to limited-contact ordering, including digital ordering through both the I HeartMacandCheese.

com website and the app for take-out and curbside pick-up. Delivery remains available through third-party apps including UberEATS, Postmates, Grubhub, Door Dash, and Delivery Dudes.

"We pride ourselves on being a franchisor of choice and would like to thank our franchisees and corporate store employees for everything they are doing to serve customers when they need it most,” said Stephen Giordanella, I Heart Mac & Cheese CEO and Chairman. “Whether it be through takeout, curbside pick-up or third-party delivery– they are committed to the communities we serve and will continue delivering the IHMAC experience.”

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 Classic, Pepperoni Pizza, Lobster and Buffalo Chicken. I Heart Mac & Cheese currently operates corporate locations in Florida at Pembroke Pines, Jupiter and Boca Raton.

In 2017, the company launched its franchising program nationwide and has open and operating franchisee locations in Florida, New York, Georgia and Texas. Additional locations are slated to open in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, New York and Texas.

This month, I Heart Mac & Cheese was selected by QSR Magazine as one of America’s hottest startup fast-casual brands on their annual 40/40 list showcasing emerging concepts with fewer than 40 locations. In 2019, I Heart Mac & Cheese was ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top new franchise opportunities. In addition to Fort Lauderdale, several other locations have recently been announced, with upcoming openings in Alabama, California, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, New York and Texas.