Franchising

I Heart Mac and Cheese signs 1st international deal

Provided

September 6, 2022

I Heart Mac & Cheese is planting a flag in Ontario, Canada, thanks to an agreement with franchisee Hirad Sorkhab.

"We're pleased and honored to be the first franchisees to bring this new and tasty concept north of the border," Sorkhab said in a company press release. "Canadians love mac and cheese just like they love their poutine. It's comfort food for many up here being that it's so cold most of the year and with many ways to dress it up it's a no-brainer."

Led by CEO Steve Giordanella, the brand launched its first location in 2016 and is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida.

"We're thrilled that I Heart Mac & Cheese has reached this tremendous step of signing an agreement for our first international location. This milestone reinforces the fact of how quickly we are growing," Giordanella said in the release. "We began franchising in 2019 in South Florida and now we are going international. This is monumental for us. Ontario's diverse and outstanding culinary scene is the perfect backdrop for our restaurant."

I Heart Mac & Cheese signed 47 franchise agreements in 2021 and many more are set to open in 2022.