The Many Faces of Cheba Hut

Some are families, others are longtime friends. Others still are reputable business owners and restaurant operators looking to diversify their investments and build their portfolios. Despite such variable backgrounds, one thing is ever-present among Cheba Hut franchise owners: A true passion for the brand culture and product.

Since its founding in Tempe, Arizona 21 years ago, Cheba Hut’s cannabis-themed (but marijuana-free) toasted subs and come-as-you-are atmosphere haven’t just made fans out of those who’ve indulged in them—they’ve made future franchise owners out of them, too. Now with more than a dozen franchise owners in its system, Cheba Hut is proud to say that its shop owners are anything but cookie-cutter.

Cheba Hut sniffed out a winner right from the start, as the brand’s first franchise owners are still in the system, running a thriving franchise operation in Arizona as a family affair. Dorian Lenz Sr. has brought his son DJ and son-in-law Josh Willett into business with him, and the three are now preparing to open Cheba Hut’s seventh Arizona location in Chandler before year’s end.

Cheba Hut knows how to grow them, too, as evidenced by Albuquerque, New Mexico franchise owner Isaac Montoya’s humble beginnings as a store GM before blossoming into an ownership role and expanding the brand throughout the city. Cheba Hut has also brought on franchise owners with the experience and business acumen necessary to make an underperforming location thrive, as was the case in San Diego with Jordan Robinson and Ryan Snyder.

Cheba Hut also brought in a slew of new owners in 2019, no two of whom are the same. From franchise owners-to-semi-retirees Dusty and Monica Derickson in St. Augustine, Florida to father-son duo Vincent and Joey DeMaiorbus in Austin, Texas, the brand’s newest franchisee class is a diverse crew of entrepreneurs passionate about bringing Cheba Hut’s good vibes and chill atmosphere to their communities.

The Myles family is helping the brand expand further into the California market with three units in the Riverside area and brings a great perspective on life to the franchise. Tyrone and his wife, Lisa, a three-time cancer survivor, knew there was more to life than spending it in corporate America and found the perfect opportunity to provide their daughters, Caris and Danielle, a different future with Cheba Hut.

Across the country, Atlanta-based entertainment lawyer Josh Burdick approached his friend and hospitality veteran Justin Beatty about the prospect of signing on with Cheba Hut and said, “Talk me out of this.” After reviewing the investment level and Cheba Hut’s performance, Beatty responded, “I don’t think I can.” The two are preparing to open the first of their three Atlanta-area shops across the street from Georgia Tech University before year’s end.

Cheba Hut also expanded its reach to Chicago in grand fashion, with multiple franchise owners preparing to open six locations across the city. Lance Frericks and Chris Custer, longtime friends who met on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade, and Brian O’Kelly, a seasoned franchise owner with a background in IT, are the teams tasked with imbuing Cheba Hut’s culture into the food-focused city for the first time.

Not long after, Cheba Hut brought on professional poker player Chance Steed to champion Cheba Hut’s entry into the Dallas-Fort Worth market. Steed was drawn to the opportunity to remain self-employed and knew the concept’s delicious food and full bar would fit perfectly in his hometown. Cheba Hut then followed up the signing with an agreement in another major Texas city: San Antonio. There, friends and business partners Steve Bales and Bria Lattimore—the former, an owner of multiple businesses and franchises; the latter, a tenured bartender and master atmosphere creator—are beginning the site selection process for the first of their three locations.

The list continues: Photography studio owners and parents of four boys, Ron and Allison Hamilton, are bringing three shops to Cincinnati, Ohio; food industry veteran Tommy Wiggins and culinary school grad Meredith Beck are introducing Cheba Hut to Baton Rouge, Louisiana; former resort owners Sandie and Dan Campbell are teaming up with their daughter Jennee Elliff and her husband, Seth, to bring shops to Bend, Oregon. Rounding out the 2019 Cheba Hut franchisee class is marijuana dispensary owner Daman Chahil, who is bringing the brand to Seattle with the help of his business partner Sunny Shergill.

With such a passionate crew of owners who each bring a unique skillset the others can learn from to the table, it’s no wonder Cheba Hut is stoked for what 2020 will bring.