1851

What do two Chicago Board of Trade members and a veteran restaurant owner in the restaurant space have in common? A passion for <a href="https://franchise.chebahut.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=cheba-hut-is-breaking-into-the-chicago-market-with-two-sets-of-franchisees-for-a-total-of-six-shops-2711143" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Cheba Hut</a> and impeccable timing, that’s what.Lance Frericks and Chris Custer, longtime friends who met on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade, and Brian O’Kelly, a seasoned franchisee with a background in IT, have recently signed on to introduce <a href="https://1851franchise.com/chebahut">Cheba Hut</a> to Chicago for the first time. Both sets franchisees signed on for three-unit deals, bringing a total of six shops to the market initially, with plenty of room to grow.Breaking into the Chicago market is a huge development milestone for the marijuana-themed and Arizona-originated sandwich shop, whose previous Midwest representation consisted of a single shop in Madison, Wisconsin. In particular, for Cheba Hut Chief Relationship Officer and area native Seth Larsen, Cheba Hut coming to Chicago represents a long-term goal achieved. “This is something I’ve personally been trying to make happen for a long time, and our new franchise partners are the perfect ones for the job,” he said.&nbsp;Cheba Hut and Chicago are a match made in heaven thanks to the city’s passion for food and laid-back, fun-loving culture.&nbsp;Custer and Frericks were first introduced to the brand when they were looking into investing in a rival sandwich concept. Custer had long been interested in opening a restaurant but didn’t feel passionate about any of the options available to him—until he found Cheba Hut.&nbsp;“I looked into the brand and just fell in love with the concept,” Custer said. “The numbers looked super compelling and I thought there was a lot of opportunity for the brand in our city––it was the laid-back theme and vibe that really caught my eye.”Frericks was also intrigued by Cheba Hut’s cannabis theme and thought that investing in the brand was a no-brainer with the Green Wave currently sweeping the nation. “Marijuana will be legal in Illinois come January and CBD is one of the biggest things on the market right now, so I think Cheba Hut and its overall theme coming to Chicago couldn’t be better timed,” said Frericks.For O’Kelly, a restaurant pro with franchise experience in the Chicago area, the opportunity to bring Cheba Hut to the area where he’s spent his entire life was particularly alluring due to the brand’s delicious food and unique adult beverage offering.“Cheba Hut’s tongue-in-cheek cannabis concept might not be for everyone, but anyone who gives the food a try will keep coming back,” said O’Kelly, who was introduced to the brand during his work with a consulting company headquartered in Phoenix. “Not only is Cheba Hut the best toasted sub concept around—there’s not another fast casual place that has a full-service bar, which is a differentiator I’m particularly excited about.”O’Kelly is looking forward to serving the Chicago community as a whole and is pursuing real estate opportunities across the city’s north side, with a particular focus on DePaul University, an area aligned with Cheba Hut’s well-documented success in college markets over the years. Custer and Frericks, on the other hand, are targeting Chicago’s Bucktown and Wicker Park neighborhoods for their shops. Both franchisees are hoping to have their first locations locked down before the end of the year with plans to open in early 2020.&nbsp;As far as what they’re most excited about when it comes to introducing the brand to Chicago, all are looking forward to disrupting the conventional and making their mark on the Chicago food scene.“This place will make you laugh with its fun-loving, tongue-in-cheek concept. Once you eat the food, you realize there’s something awesome here––it’s not some gimmick,” O’Kelly said.Frericks agreed.&nbsp;“It’s got a different vibe, a different taste and it’s not dull or bland,” he said. “I think Chris and I have had every sandwich they make—there are so many options to choose from, which I think appeals to Chicagoans quite well.”

Cheba Hut Is Breaking Into the Chicago Market With Two Sets of Franchisees for a Total of Six Shops

1851 Franchise

The marijuana-themed sandwich shop concept is preparing to set the Windy City ablaze with the help of its new franchise partners Chris Custer, Lance Frericks and Brian O’Kelly.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

cheba-hut-is-breaking-into-the-chicago-market-with-two-sets-of-franchisees-for-a-total-of-six-shops

Children's Lighthouse

How Children’s Lighthouse Stands Out Among Other Children’s Education, Childcare, and Daycare Franchises

how-childrens-lighthouse-stands-out-among-other-childrens-education-childcare-and-daycare-franchises

The Growth Coach

The Growth Coach Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

the-growth-coach-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

Why One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Sees People as the Power Behind Franchise Growth

one-hour-heating-air-conditioning-franchise-growth

Lawn Doctor

Design with photo of John Perry and Lawn Doctor logo

How a 20-Year Industry Veteran Tripled His Sales With a Lawn Doctor Franchise

lawn-doctor-franchise-success-story-john-perry

Fitness Premier

The Secret to Fitness Franchise Success? It's Not Just the Workouts

fitness-premier-franchise-marketing-support

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with American and Federal Reserve flags against light blue background

Federal Reserve Expected To Cut Rates by Quarter Point, a Move That Could Boost Franchise Growth

fed-rate-cut-boosts-franchise-growth

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

graphic image of an 1851 franchisee spotlight brayden and johnny steven of teriyaki madness

Father-and-Daughter Team Bring Teriyaki Madness to Wichita, Kansas, With Big Expansion Plans

johnny-brayden-steven-teriyaki-madness-wichita

photo-of-laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

23-Year-Old Entrepreneur Brings Soon to Be Famous Chicken™ to Southern Oregon With 3-Unit Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchise Signing

laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

Cheba Hut Is Breaking Into the Chicago Market With Two Sets of Franchisees for a Total of Six Shops

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS