The Honey Baked Ham Company has set its sights on
Springfield.
“We started to look at markets across the county that we felt
were the top markets that we wanted to be in, and Springfield is at the top of
the list,” said Eric Edwards, who handles franchise development for the Georgia-based
company. “The location, population size – it’s the perfect market for us.”
The retailer sells hams, turkey breasts and other pre-cooked
entrées, plus side dishes and desserts. Harry Hoenselaar opened the
first Honey Baked Ham location in Detroit in 1957, and the company is still privately
owned by his family.
“We originated in the Midwest, and it’s always been a
fantastic market for us,” Edwards said. “Most of our growth is coming from
existing franchisees opening more stores, but in certain markets we’re looking
for new franchisees to join the family.”
There are currently 440 Honey Baked Ham stores nationwide in
48 states, including three in Illinois: Naperville, Bourbonnais and a seasonal
store in Joliet.
Now, the company is hoping to identify a franchisee for
Springfield and central Illinois.
“What we’re looking for is somebody that aligns with us and wants
to be working in the community,” Edwards said. “It’s not necessarily that they
have to have been in business before; with our training we can get them and
their staff ready.
“We’re looking as much for attributes as we are past
experience,” he said.
