Sunny Street Café Breaks Ground on First Freestanding Location

Franchisee Dr. Michael Schifano expands footprint and portfolio with second café in the Prairie State

Marion, IL  (RestaurantNews.com)  Sunny Street Café, the beloved concept known for its made-from-scratch breakfast classics and lunch comfort food, has officially broken ground on its newest location at 909 Roth Halfway Road in Marion, Illinois. The new restaurant is the brand’s first-ever freestanding location, marking a major milestone in Sunny Street’s strategic growth.

The Marion restaurant will be the 23rd location systemwide and the second in Illinois, expanding Sunny Street’s footprint in the state and showcasing its momentum in mid-sized markets. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday, April 29, to celebrate the new build and recognize franchisee Dr. Michael Schifano, who also owns the Sunny Street Café in nearby Carbondale.

Dr. Schifano has seen tremendous success since opening his first location in 2017, quickly becoming a local staple. His decision to open a second café in Marion was driven by both the strength of the brand and his passion for serving guests quality, made-from-scratch meals.
“Franchisees like Dr. Schifano represent what Sunny Street is all about – people who are passionate about good food, strong community ties and creating welcoming spaces,” said Sunny Street Café President Mike Stasko. “Opening our first free-standing restaurant is a huge step for our brand, and we couldn’t ask for a better partner to bring it to life in Marion.”

A practicing OB-GYN, Dr. Schifano was drawn to Sunny Street Café for its streamlined operating model and manageable hours. With a single 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. shift and one general manager leading the team, the concept offers a flexible lifestyle for entrepreneurs looking to balance business ownership with other passions or professions.

“I’ve seen firsthand how well the Sunny Street model works,” said Dr. Schifano. “The support from Mike and the team, the brand recognition and the ability to truly connect with our local guests have made this an exciting and rewarding journey. I can’t wait to bring our delicious pancakes to the Marion community.”

Sunny Street Café continues to attract both multi-unit operators and first-time franchisees in new and existing markets across the U.S., offering a compelling franchise opportunity centered around daytime-only hours, a tasty menu of scratch-made favorites and the feel of a neighborhood eatery. The Marion location is expected to open later this year.

To learn more about franchise opportunities with Sunny Street Café, please visit https://restaurantnews.com.

About Sunny Street Café 

Sunny Street Café® is a family-owned and operated breakfast and lunch concept based in Columbus, Ohio. They both franchise and operate restaurants in Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, Alabama, and Texas.  Since opening their doors in 2007, family has been a key component to the way Sunny Street Café operates, as it has also become a staple in the communities it’s part of. To learn more about Sunny Street Café, visit https://ownasunnystreet.com.




As seen originally in Restaurant News.