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Mac And Cheese Franchise Is Expanding In Florida

Author Jeff Gorra

Admit it, regardless of your age, you love mac and cheese. However, are you aware that there is a Mac and Cheese franchise chain that is expanding in Florida? In fact, they plan on opening Tampa and Port Charlotte locations this year.

If you are not familiar, the restaurant is called I Heart Mac and Cheese. “Build your own everything is pastable,” they said.

Direct Pack, a leader in sustainable, customized and innovative thermoformed packaging for all food published a short profile on I Heart Mac and Cheese when they teamed up to create heart-shaped container. They explained how this specialty restaurant began its franchise model in 2017. “Currently, they have 30 locations with over 100 franchise agreements,” Direct Pack explained.

Where Is This Mac and Cheese Franchise Already In Florida?

It appears I Heart Mac and Cheese is already quite popular in the Sunshine State. According to the restaurant’s website, Florida is on track to have  the most locations, with 14. Seven of them will open this year. However, some major areas like Miami, Naples, Fort Lauderdale, and Coral Springs already have well-established I Heart Mac and Cheese restaurants.

In Tampa and Port Charlotte, the location is expected to unveil sometime in 2024, although no date or final address has been announced. Also coming this year are franchise locations in Orlando, Lake Mary, Destin, Aventura, and Navarre.

The Menu

Let’s get to the good stuff. The menu at each I Heart Mac and Cheese is divided into three categories. Bowls offer most of the popular classics (more on this in a minute). However, grilled cheese sandwiches and sides also offer some delicious options.

By now, you are probably wondering what makes this restaurant’s mac and cheese stand out compared to your local pub, which also bakes a homemade dish. Let’s take a look at these bowl options.

To start, there are seven different options. That includes everything from specialty items like Buffalo Blue Mac and Cheese, and Chicken Parm Mac and Cheese to a bowl called the “Classic.”

If you really want to treat yourself, consider the White Truffle Lobster Bowl. It includes noodles plus a base of either broccoli, quinoa, or tater tots. That is then topped with lobster meat, lobster cream sauce, cheese sauce, muenster cheese, scallions, and white truffle oil.

Although there are six different options here, it’s hard not to focus on the “Best of Both Worlds.” That would be a baked mac and cheese sandwich stuffed with braised short rib, two kinds of cheddar, and BBQ sauce.

2 Florida Skateparks Recognized As Best In The Country

What makes a great skatepark? Essential requirements revolve around safety conditions, open space, and overall atmosphere. In Florida, two skateparks were recently listed among the best in the country.

In SkateboardHQ’s feature, “13 Skateparks in the U.S. You Need To Visit,” they take you on a tour through some of the greatest bowls in the continental United States. From the Northwest corner of Oregon to the Southeast corner of Florida, this list rolls through a lot of ground.

“You’ll find some of the most epic street courses alongside iconic locations and facilities designed for skaters and by skaters, including the largest full-concrete pipe and one of the oldest-running skateparks in America,” SkateboardHQ expxlains.

The largest full-concrete pipe they mention belongs to Lake Cunningham Regional Sports Park, in San Jose, CA. At 68,000-square-feet, it’s the largest skatepark in California. As for the “oldest,” we’ll get to that shortly.

Skatepark Culture

Whether they are built into the recreational facilities of a suburban town, or between buildings on city streets, skateparks can serve a great purpose. Under safe conditions, such parks provide a place for youth and skate enthusiasts alike to support each other while they work on their craft. There is a true artistic and creative component to skateboarding. Furthermore, the sport takes a great deal of discipline. To master a trick (or even to get a feel for riding) you have to go through rounds of repetition. Often, you fall, get up, try again, and then fall again.

Skateboarding is an activity that also can have very little cost affiliated with it. After the price of a board and the necessary safety equipment (such as a helmet and padding), most community parks are free admission.

There are some great organizations (mostly West Coast-based) that thrive off building and restoring skateparks in various communities. Evergreen based out of Portland, focuses on structuring parks for all skill levels. Montana Pool Service, a non-profit organization, aims to connect youth communities with their generous work installing parks across the country.

So let’s grab a board and take stroll through the two Florida skateparks that were named among the best in the country.

  • Skatepark of Tampa (SPoT)

    Skatepark of Tampa, commonly known as SPoT, is located at 4215 E. Columbus Dr. They offer indoor and outdoor facilities. They also sell many skate products, further inspiring the all-encompassing skate experience. Furthermore, SPoT provides various programs, including camps, birthday parties, and a session they call “Girls Meetup.”

     

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    A post shared by Skatepark of Tampa (@spottampa)

  • Kona Skatepark - Jacksonville

    Here we have the oldest running public skatepark in America. It’s been open since 1977. Like the sport, this park has fallen flat, but then bounced back up when many thought it would stay down. Kona Skatepark is located at 8739 Kona Ave. The grounds offer a clubhouse as well given the Kona experience is all about community. They host events, and they will occasionally have live music or competitions at their park.

     

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    A post shared by Skatepark of Tampa (@spottampa)

Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.

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