• The restaurant is located at 4903 E. Main St., Unit B in Farmington.
• It will operate from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
• The first 10 paying customers for the July 13 grand opening of I Heart Mac and Cheese will receive a punch card that allows them to receive a free basic mac-and-cheese bowl once a week for a year.

FARMINGTON − While Farmington residents Kyle and Autumn Santangelo have never operated a restaurant before, they say they spend a lot of time dining out − a function of having four kids who are deeply involved in sports.

That led to their interest in opening an eatery, a dream that will become a reality on Wednesday, July 13 when the first I Heart Mac & Cheese restaurant in New Mexico opens its doors at 10:30 a.m. at 4903 E. Main St., Unit B in Farmington.

The Santangelos were interested in leaving behind their professions − he worked in the oil and gas industry, while she worked in the medical field − last year when they learned about I Heart Mac & Cheese franchise opportunities. The company was founded in 2019 and is based in Florida, operating in the fast-casual segment of the restaurant business.

“We were really just wanting to be on our own,” Autumn Santangelo said of the couple’s desire to go into business for themselves.

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Santangelo said she and her husband traveled to Florida to visit with company representatives and quickly became sold on the idea of bringing I Heart Mac and Cheese back to their home state. Now, even as they put the finishing touches on their 2,500-square-foot eatery that seats 32 diners, they already have plans to expand their holdings by opening another I Heart Mac and Cheese restaurant in Rio Rancho within six months to a year and yet another one in Albuquerque after that.

But first, they’re focused on preparing their first restaurant for its grand opening next week. Training for the eatery’s 30 employees began this week.

“They have been with us every step of the way,” Autumn Santangelo said of the help she and her husband have received as franchisees. “Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought they would be this helpful. They’re never more than one phone call away at all times. Even with our training starting (July 7), there’s an entire department flying in (from Florida), which is so great.”