New Mac And Cheese Restaurant Coming To Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A franchise specializing in macaroni and cheese dishes is coming to Birmingham. I Heart Mac & Cheese, a restaurant chain based in Florida, announced this week that it is entering the Alabama market and opening a location in Birmingham next year.

Two locations will open in Birmingham and the third will open in Tuscaloosa throughout 2020 and 2021, according to a press release from the company. The release did not specify where the restaurants will be located or at what point during the year they will open.

“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,” said Stephen Giordanella, I Heart Mac & Cheese CEO and Chairman. “We are thrilled to bring our popular concept into the state of Alabama.”

The franchise group developing I Heart Mac & Cheese in the Birmingham area includes Raj Patel and his parents, Vinod and Dipika Patel.

“I’m thrilled to be opening the very first I Heart Mac & Cheese locations in Alabama, alongside my parents,” said Raj Patel. “We look forward to bringing a unique dining experience to Birmingham and showcasing menu items that are reminiscent of everyone’s favorite childhood memories.”

Earlier this year, I Heart Mac & Cheese was ranked by Entrepreneur magazine as one of the top new franchise opportunities in 2019. Several other locations have recently been announced, with upcoming openings in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, New York, New Jersey and Texas.