Sandwich chain Ike’s moving into former Starbucks space
A former Starbucks will soon be a sandwich shop.
Franchisee Blair Woodfield and his daughter Camille are opening their third Denver- area Ike’s Love and Sandwiches restaurant in Writer’s Square at 1512 Larimer St.
“We need to be in an area where people go out for lunch – commercial, business, office areas,” Woodfield said.
The 1,200- square- feet space has been empty since Starbucks closed in early 2021. Ike’s is scheduled to open in October.
Ike’s is known for sandwiches named after celebrity icons, like the “John Elway” turkey and bacon, and its secret garlic aioli “dirty sauce” served on every sandwich. Prices range from $ 10.95 to $ 14.95. Ike Shehadeh founded the company in 2007 in San Francisco, according to its website, and it has over 100 locations in western states.
The Woodfields started looking to franchise with Ike’s at the end of 2019, but the pandemic stalled their plans. After pausing for a few years, they opened their first location at 8300 E. 36th Ave. in 2021.
“My daughter fell in love with the brand ( Ike’s) and in 2019 we saw they were franchising markets, so based on my experience and hers … we decided to get into business with Ike’s,” Woodfield said.
According to a franchising application on Ike’s linkedin page, potential franchisees must have at least $ 500,000 immediately available to invest.
Before investing in Ike’s, Woodfield was a Wendy’s franchisee for over 17 years. He sold that operation in the early 2000s.
Woodfield said he has two Denver- area locations in Central Park and Highlands
Ranch, as well as one in the works for Idaho. The father- daughter duo have exclusive franchising rights in Colorado.
“Denver is one of the top markets in the company, sales- wise,” Woodfield said. “We’ve got high- sale- volume stores.”
Woodfield said he’ll likely open two more in the Denver area, with potential for further expansion.
“We’re attempting to not be too densely populated, keep our markets big,” Woodfield said. “If we can find good locations, for sure, but we’re not just going to put them in crappy locations.”