Cincinnati-based comfort food concept Tom & Chee is reported to have reached a franchise agreement with David and Cynthia Williams of DCW Industries Inc. to open the quick casual concept in the Bradenton-Sarasota area of Florida. Frank Raeon, Tom + Chee’s Real Estate Director adds that the chain is sourcing multiple sites in Florida, in Sarasota, Tampa, Orlando and Tallahassee. “In the not too distant future we would also like to open restaurants in the Jacksonville and Miami metropolitan areas,” he also says. Tom & Chee is a five year old restaurant concept that features a menu based on the grilled cheese sandwich. The company has developed a wide and varied menu offering that runs from a traditional grilled cheese sandwich through to a build-your-own version with toppings, meats including bacon, turkey, beef, chicken, ham, goetta, pepperoni, etc. along with soups and salads. The franchise concept is growing with about 13 locations operating in Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey and Georgia with units opening shortly in Pennsylvania, Nebraska and a second location in Georgia, a 2340 square foot unit at Stone Walk at Northpoint at North Point Dr. and Georgia Ln. in Alpharetta in the Atlanta area. Raeon notes that the chain is very precise in its site selection, targeting suburban, mixed-use and downtown areas that provide a combination of daytime and night time traffic. End cap units of 2000 to 2800 square feet with at least 28 to 30 feet of frontage are required. Patio areas that can accommodate up to about 28 guests are preferred.
DCW Industries Inc. – 8902 Grand Bayou Cr., Tampa, Florida 33635 David Williams – President, CEO
CATEGORY: Quick Casual
Chain Name: Tom + Chee
Company Name: Tom and Chee Worldwide LLC
Street Address: 133 E. Court St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Tel: 513/721-2433 Fax:
Email: Website: www.tomandchee.com
Menu Specialty: Classic comfort foods based on a grilled cheese menu with tomato soup. Over 25 different grilled cheese varieties, salads and three tomato soups daily.
Introduced: Introduced from a food tent in a public square in Cincinnati in December 2009 by Corey Ward and Trent Quackenbush.
No. of Locations: Over twelve in Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey and Georgia
Areas of Operation: National
Types of Location: End cap units in retail centers, lifestyle centers as well as mall food courts, airports, etc.
BusinessType (corp., franchise, jv): Franchise
Size Req’d: 2000 to 2800 sq.ft. with
Special Requirements (patio, drive-thru, etc): 28 to 30 feet of frontage, Patio accommodating up to 30, suburban, mixed use and downtown areas with daytime and nighttime traffic.
Contact Name: Corey Ward – Co-Founder
Trew Quackenbush – Co-Founder
Mandy Silvis – Controller
Mike Menner – Franchisee Coordinator
Amanda Kreimer – Franchisee Coordinator
Frank Raeon – Real Estate Director (513/484-8609 f.raeon@tomandchee.com)
REAL ESTATE REPRESENTATIVES:
FRANCHISE REPRESENTATIVES:
PARENT COMPANY: Tom + Chee Worldwide LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio
Related Chains:
Last Report: Restaurant & QSR Expansion Report #121 Last Update:
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