Retail

Sociale opens second,
then third outlet for
make-and-take meals

Sociale Gourmet opened in August its third location, in south Minneapolis. That followed by a couple of months the opening of its second location, in downtown Minneapolis.

The original company was launched just 18 months ago, half retail store and half commercial kitchen in Eagan, where customers can prepare big batches of meals, about 10 to 12 entrees that feed four or so each for about $175, to freeze and take home.

Both of the new locations are “satellite” outlets, as co-owner Jason Hake (HAY-kee) calls them, where people can pick up meals prepared by Sociale’s employees. Those meals cost more than if you assembled them yourself, of course, but still far less than if a personal chef prepared them.

“Not everyone is going to want to do it themselves, and not everyone is going to want to drive to Eagan,” he says about why they opened the satellite stores. “It was customer demand.”

Hake left a career in financial services, and co-owner and wife, Lisa, was in marketing. She’s responsible for the distinctive awnings, signage and logo at the outlets. Hake says they’re financing the expansion themselves, cashing in their 401(k)s among other things.

He says he hopes to start selling franchise outlets of Sociale Gourmet later this year.

“I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. I know a lot of the goods, bads and uglies. I’ve been wanting to do this for 10 years,” Hake says.

Jason Hake, Sociale Gourmet: 651.994.9000; info@socialegourmet.com; www.socialegourmet.com