---
title: "I Heart Mac & Cheese Coming To San Antonio"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/79bca8c8-0d51-4ae3-a162-61a4013da5c5
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20200911_i_heart_mac__cheese_coming_to_san_antonio.html
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
published: 2020-09-11T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T02:32:05.417Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1504674900247-0877df9cc836?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# I Heart Mac & Cheese Coming To San Antonio

**TL;DR:** I Heart Mac & Cheese is opening a new location in San Antonio, Texas, with franchisee Zachary Northcutt. The brand is expanding its national footprint with additional locations planned in several states.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2020-09-11. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20200911_i_heart_mac__cheese_coming_to_san_antonio.html).*

## Story

Franchisee Zachary Northcutt, a seasoned Air Force veteran with a history of experience in the private sector as well, was initially interested in the franchise given the wide appeal of the menu. “I was drawn to the idea of I Heart Mac & Cheese because I have never met anyone who did not like Mac & Cheese! When I learned the brand was all about customization, and had numerous healthy bowls as well as the expected classic dishes, I knew there was something really special there.

The simple, straight forward operations made it an ideal choice for someone like me to get into the restaurant business successfully,” shared Northcutt.

I Heart Mac & Cheese currently has two operating restaurants in Texas, in Port Arthur and College Station. The brand is quickly developing a national footprint with additional locations planned in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, New Mexico, and New York, as well as several other Texas locations.

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.

“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 continue growing our brand with partners that share our same beliefs and value our innovative concept, food quality and diverse menu.”

I Heart Mac & Cheese is a fast-casual concept specializing in made-to-order, Build Your Own Macaroni & Cheese Bowls and Grilled Cheese sandwiches that guests can customize using a wide variety of chef-inspired proteins, ingredients and sauces. Thinking outside the bowl, the brand takes timeless comfort food in exciting culinary directions, resulting in diverse, crave-able menu options for everyone to enjoy. Led by CEO Steve Giordanella, the brand launched its first location in 2016 and currently operates corporate locations in Pembroke Pines, Jupiter and Boca Raton, Florida.

The company’s unique franchising program has fueled nationwide brand growth – with operating franchise locations in Florida, Georgia, New York and Texas – and additional locations are slated to open in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Texas. I Heart Mac & Cheese was recently named #6 “Best Fast Casual Restaurant” in the USA TODAY 10 Best 2020 Reader’s Choice Awards. The innovative company was also recently featured on QSR Magazine’s “40/40 list for 2020: America’s Hottest Startup Fast Casuals”, and was ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top new franchise opportunities.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- unit expansion (topic)
- Entrepreneur (publication)
- QSR Magazine (publication)
- texas (location)
- restaurant industry (topic)
- fast casual (topic)
- franchisee (topic)
- San Antonio (location)
- USA TODAY (company)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20200911_i_heart_mac__cheese_coming_to_san_antonio.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/79bca8c8-0d51-4ae3-a162-61a4013da5c5).