News
Tin Drum Asian Kitchen, I Heart Mac & Cheese opening in Houston
August 23, 2019
Atlanta's Tin Drum Asian Kitchen and Boca Raton's I Heart Mac & Cheese are expanding to Houston, opening five and two locations, respectively.
Tin Drum's Houston expansion is the result of a franchise deal with Houston restaurateurs Shairoz Lakhani, Avez Maredia and Faizan Momin, who plan to open the first of five units by the end of the year, according to a company press release. Lakhani and Maredia, who are spouses, own and operate three Wingstop restaurants in Texas, with two more under construction.
"Houston is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country with diners who crave international flavors," Tin Drum CEO Steven Chan, said in the release. "Shairoz, Avez and Faizan are the perfect owners to help us grow our brand. They are quality young entrepreneurs who have been diehard fans of Tin Drum since the beginning. Their combination of operational experience and ability to understand our customer make them the perfect team for our Houston debut."
Lakhani comes from a restaurant family who grew up learning and appreciating the restaurant business. Throughout her childhood, her father Aziz Lakhani, owned more than 30 restaurants during his career, including major brands like Dunkin’, Popeyes, Ginger's casual dining and more.
Lakhani, Maredia and Momin discovered Tin Drum while they were students in Atlanta at Emory University and Georgia State University respectively, where the restaurant made its debut more than 15 years ago.
"During our college days in Atlanta, we fell in love with Tin Drum and have wanted to open a location in Houston since we got into the restaurant business after graduating," Lakhani said. "There are not many Asian fusion restaurants in Houston, and we think Tin Drum will fill that void."
In addition to growth throughout Georgia, Tin Drum, backed by the private equity firm BIP Capital, is looking for owners in other cities in Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. The brand will open its first of three locations in the Savannah area in 2019, according to the release.
Like Tin Drum, I Heart Mac & Cheese sees Houston as a ripe market and is also planning a store for Beaumont, Texas.
"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," CEO and Chairman Stephen Giordanella, said the release.
The brand, which offers build-your-own macaroni and cheese bowls and grilled cheese sandwiches, uses no fryers, grease trap systems or hood systems. It requires a low investment and can operate in a small space, such as food courts, shopping malls, sports venues, areas close to colleges and universities and high-traffic pedestrian areas, Giordanella said.
This month, I Heart Mac & Cheese opened its newest location in Tallahassee, Florida, and has upcoming openings in other areas of Florida as well as Georgia, New York and Texas.
The brand opened its first location in 2016 in Fort Lauderdale and launched its franchising program in 2017.
