Meet the team

At The Local Epicurean, we believe great businesses are built by great people. Our team is small, experienced and deeply involved, not just in guiding the franchise, but in operating stores, building systems and helping every new location succeed.

We don't just hand you a manual. We show up, answer the call and work beside you.

Mike

Managing Member, The Local Epicurean Franchising | Managing Partner, The 601 Group

Mike leads the strategic growth of The 601 Group and oversees franchise development for The Local Epicurean. As a multi-unit operator and the architect of the franchise system, he focuses on helping new franchisees launch successfully and scale with confidence.

Gina

Managing Partner, The 601 Group | Owner, The Local Epicurean East Lansing

Gina runs the day-to-day operations of The 601 Group, including every TLE location as well as For Crêpe Sake and Brown Butter Crêperie. She builds the systems that power each store, overseeing onboarding, training and operational setup so every new franchise opens smoothly and delivers a consistent guest experience from day one.

Suzie

Director of Operations, The 601 Group

Suzie is the behind-the-scenes force that keeps everything running. From systems and staffing to class execution and guest experience, she supports day-to-day operations across our locations and helps train new franchise teams during launch.

Steve and Ryan

Co-Founders, The Local Epicurean | Ownership, TLE Franchising

Steve and Ryan founded the original Local Epicurean in Grand Rapids and built it into a beloved culinary destination. Today they continue to support the brand's growth, Steve as a brand advisor and Ryan as the owner of The Local Epicurean Franchising. Together they also oversee seasonal menu development, so every location keeps offering fresh, memorable culinary experiences.

Let's talk.

If you're a values-aligned entrepreneur who wants to build something special, we'd love to hear from you.

Start the conversation