Despite expected delays in the process, I Heart Mac & Cheese still plans to make its Colorado Springs debut come late winter/early spring 2023 in the shopping center at 12229 Voyager Pkwy.
First reported in QSR Magazine in November, franchisee Kerry Mand plans to open two new Colorado Springs stores in the coming year and a total of five in greater Colorado. From the upcoming restaurant to potential expansion out to her relatives in Pueblo, it was family that spurred Mand to sign on to open the fast casual restaurants.
“From a family that puts family first, the I Heart Mac and Cheese family has always expressed those values,” Mand told What Now. “They’ve been so open and welcoming. I’ve spent a lot of my family time getting to know their families.”
The restaurant’s quick yet customizable, made-to-order comfort food has its roots deep in the South — Boca Raton, Florida, specifically. Founded in 2016 with a franchise concept that extends a communal, comfortable feeling to eaters of all types, I Heart Mac & Cheese has branched across the country in a very short time. Via a loyal customer base, an ambitious franchise vision, and a low-cost barrier to entry, the fast casual eatery signed 47 new franchise deals in 2021 and spread to 10 additional states in 2022.
“It’s always exciting for us when we get to open the first I Heart Mac & Cheese in the franchisee’s state,” CEO and chairman Steve Giordanella said to QSR. “We love the fact that more people get to try I Heart Mac & Cheese in more states. Our food is for everyone, from those craving comfort food to vegan and keto dieters and everyone in between.”
This menu not only incorporates several versions of the eponymous mac and cheese (original, Buffalo chicken, lobster truffle, short rib) that can be customized according to dietary preference, but extends to I Heart’s grilled cheese and Tacoroni for those that prefer their mac n’ cheese wrapped in a tortilla.
Come spring, the new Voyager I Heart Mac & Cheese will contain 34 seats spread out over 1600 square feet of tables and a bar top. The fast casual food will be available for dine-in and pickup orders and will likely align with third-party partners to enable delivery.
