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 while overseeing all aspects of franchise development for The Local Epicurean. As both a multi-unit operator and the architect of the franchise system, his focus is helping new franchisees launch successfully and scale confidently—with the support of proven systems and real operator insight.
Gina
Managing Partner, The 601 Group | Owner, The Local Epicurean East Lansing
Gina runs the day-to-day operations of The 601 Group, which includes all TLE locations as well as For Crêpe Sake and Brown Butter Crêperie. She plays a critical role in building the systems that power each store—overseeing onboarding, training, and operational setup to ensure every new franchise opens smoothly and delivers a consistent, high-quality guest experience from day one.
Suzie
Director of Operations, The 601 Group
Suzie is the behind-the-scenes force who keeps everything running smoothly. From systems and staffing to class execution and guest experience, she supports day-to-day operations across multiple locations and helps train new franchise teams during launch.
Steve and Ryan
Co-Founders, The Local Epicurean | Ownership, TLE Franchising
Steve and Ryan co-founded the original Local Epicurean in Grand Rapids and built the brand into a beloved culinary destination. Today, they continue to support the growth of the business—Steve as a brand advisor, and Ryan as the owner of The Local Epicurean Franchising. Together, they also oversee new seasonal menu development, ensuring each location continues to offer fresh, elevated, and memorable culinary experiences.
Franchise Support Team
Our small, responsive support team works closely with franchisees through training, launch, and ongoing operations. You’ll know us by name—and we’ll be by your side every step of the way.
Let’s Talk
If you’re a values-aligned entrepreneur who wants to build something special, we’d love to hear from you.