This fast-casual joint serves up different versions of the classic dish.
A new I Heart Mac & Cheese opened on Jan. 13, 2019, at New Village at Patchogue on Long Island, NY. The restaurant marks the first I Heart Mac & Cheese to open in 2019, the first to open in the New York area and eighth overall.
Specializing in custom, build-your-own (BYO) macaroni and cheese bowls and grilled cheese sandwiches, the Boca Raton, FL-based company recently rolled out new resolution-friendly options with quinoa, cauliflower rice and broccoli florets bowl bases. Guests can choose one or all three to add to their bowl. There are also more vegetables to choose from, including corn, chickpeas, black beans, roasted red peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, onion, carrots, scallions, tomatoes, jalapenos, celery, pickles and scallions — and vegetables are unlimited. Grilled chicken has been added to the Protein list, which also includes pepperoni, ham, bacon, ground beef, short rib, pulled pork, crispy chicken and lobster.
For those who may not want to customize, guests can choose a bowl or sandwich from the large, chef-driven menu. The menu also offers side dishes, including cheesy broccoli, tomato soup and tomato soup dipper, and fresh mini chocolate chip cookies and dessert bars.
“We are committed to providing our guests with a positive culinary experience as they not only enjoy our unique twists on an American favorite, but our fresh, high-quality ingredients that are not only good for the body, but are satisfying and wholesome,” said Stephen Giordanella, chairman and CEO.
I Heart Mac & Cheese’s Catering Division offers Chef Specials and Build Your Own catering trays with any of the bases. Food delivery is available via Uber Eats and Delivery Dudes.
The company experienced strong growth in the past year and is expecting to end 2019 with five corporate openings in the United States. Two stores are slated to open in Spring/Summer 2019 in Tallahassee, FL, and Athens, GA. Additional New York locations are scheduled to open in 2019 in Bayside, Queens; Syosset, Long Island; and Syracuse.
On the franchise side of the business, the company is projecting 20 franchises opening this year. Two locations are slated to open Spring/Summer 2019 in Cooper City, FL, and Deerfield Beach, FL. In October 2018, I Heart Mac & Cheese sold its first food truck franchise in the South Florida market to its former general manager, Hector Gonzalez.
“With our growth, we’ve continued to remain focused on our food and our customers. We look forward to further developing franchise and corporate stores and food trucks across the country,” said Giordanella.
The address of the new Patchogue store is 3 Village Green, Patchogue, NY 11772.
For more information on franchise opportunities, visit iheartmacandcheese.com/franchise/.
I Heart Mac & Cheese is a fast-casual concept specializing in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches and salads. The menu combines award- winning recipes resulting in a grown-up approach to this classic childhood dish. The first location opened in 2016 in Fort Lauderdale. South Florida locations include Parkland, Pembroke Pines, Davie, Jupiter, Coral Springs and Boca Raton. Additional corporate locations are slated to open in New York, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. In 2017, the company launched its franchising program nationwide.
