Images courtesy of Orlando Cat CafeLooking for some last-minute Valentine's Day plans? White Castle offers tableside dining and the MGM Grand seeks to reinvent Netflix + chill. As for where our editors will be? Patiently awaiting a newly franchised cat cafe, of course.
Cat cafes made it to the U.S. from Asia in the mid-2010s, however, Florida-based coffeehouse Orlando Cat Café will be the first cat cafe in the United States to offer a franchise model.
Located in Clermont, Fla., the cafe offers a unique experience where guests can interact with adoptable cats in a dedicated lounge. This model has not only created a one-of-a-kind customer experience (with plenty of social media-worthy moments) but has also facilitated over 2,800 adoptions in partnership with SPCA Florida.
"We're thrilled to be the first to bring a franchise opportunity to the cat cafe concept," says Sandra Cagan, founder and CEO of Orlando Cat Café. "This is more than just a business; it's a movement to create spaces where people can unwind, connect, and make a difference in the lives of rescue cats. We've fine-tuned the model here in Orlando, and now we're ready to share it with the world."
openings
- Just Salad opened its first-ever drive-thru location in Livingston, N.J.
- MGM Grand Hotel & Casino has partnered with the streaming giant to bring Netflix Bites to the Las Vegas strip. Located just off the casino floor, guests enter the restaurant through a giant neon mouth to find Squid Games-themed decor and Love Is Blind-inspired cocktails.
milestones
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe wrapped up 2024 by opening its 1,500th cafe in Cumming, Ga.
- Speaking of the 1,500-club, Shake Shack grew to 329 company-owned units at the end of 2024 and announced plans to grow to 1,500 corporate-owned locations over the long term.
- Friendly's Restaurants celebrates its 90th anniversary.
romance on the menu
- In need of Valentine's Day plans? White Castle has opened reservations for a romantic (and memorable) one-of-a-kind event featuring hostess seating, tableside service and festive decor.
