The grand opening of the long-anticipated "I Heart Mac & Cheese" restaurant in Palm Springs is set for Wednesday, June 29, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. outside the restaurant.
The "I Heart Mac & Cheese" opening in Palm Springs will be the first California location for the restaurant franchise, according to Palm Springs Life. The restaurant is located at the corner of Indian Canyon Drive and Arenas Road.
“Palm Springs is such an adult playground," Blu Bryan, founder and CEO of BMC Foods, told Palm Springs Life. "The popular comfort food mac-and-cheese would be a great combination with adult beverages including beer choices from microbrews."
As the name might suggest, "I Heart Mac & Cheese" offers a wide array of macaroni-and-cheese options for its customers, ranging from a simple, more traditional bowl of the cheesy cuisine to a more adventurous choices, including a huge selection of various sauces, cheeses, vegetables, proteins and other toppings to create a personalized bowl. Additionally, the franchise serves up grilled-cheese sandwiches, which can be personalized as well.
Bryan founded the company that will operate the new restaurant. He has been living in Palm Springs since his move from San Francisco nearly five years ago and thinks it's an ideal location for "I Heart Mac & Cheese," with few restaurants open late in the downtown location. He aims for the establishment to be one of the small handful of places that serve food after the bars close, he said.
To get ready for opening day, Bryan held a hiring event in May, which filled up to 50 positions and focused on offering opportunities to applicants who may traditionally be overlooked, according to News Channel 3. Bryan also said that the restaurant would be partnering with local nonprofits.