What is Tom & Chee?

Tom & Chee is the nation’s premier grilled cheese franchise with more than 12 locations in seven states. Founded in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2009, Tom & Chee was originally intended a pop-up business to serve hungry winter-holiday shoppers who flock to the city’s ice skating rink and other festivities. The word about our delicious grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup quickly spread, and soon Tom & Chee opened our first restaurant location in Cincinnati.

The word spread even faster after a successful appearance on Shark Tank propelled our brand to the national stage, and the franchising operations took off. In 2018, Gold Star Restaurants, a 50+ year old family franchise company, bought Tom & Chee, simplified the business model, significantly improved training, invested in a new menu and restaurant design, and is ready to grow the brand far beyond its foothold in the Midwest.