News

Mac n' cheese fast casual makes franchise debut in Detroit

October 11, 2013

Sweet Lorraine's Fabulous Mac n' Cheez!, a fast casual concept built around mac n' cheese, has chosen Detroit as the location for its first franchised location, according to a company press release.

Entrepreneur Randy Dickow of West Bloomfield, Mich., is the first franchisee for the concept developed by Chef Lorraine Platman. The new location will open in February 2014, in Renaissance Center, and Dickow is planning a second location in metro Detroit.

"We're just getting started and already having franchise discussions in Michigan, Florida and Texas," said Paul Bensman, Sweet Lorraine's Fabulous Mac n' Cheez! director of franchising.

There are two corporate-owned locations — The Somerset Collection in Troy, Mich., and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills, Mich. Additional corporate locations in Toledo, Ohio, and East Lansing, Mich., are scheduled to open in December 2013, with plans to secure 10 to 12 more franchised locations in the next 18 months.

The concept allows guests to create combinations of mac 'n cheese using 37 optional ingredients while they watch as servers assemble their creations. Soups, salads and sandwich wraps are also available.

"Customers are looking for fun, high-quality food on the go and Lorraine has created the perfect menu for that lifestyle," said Gary Sussman, Sweet Lorraine's Fabulous Mac n' Cheez! president and CEO. "Franchise investors recognize that we've created a completely new category of fast casual restaurants with tremendous potential for growth."

Read more about growth.