Pilar Coffee Bar Franchise-item 1

Pilar Coffee Bar & Iced Treats – MARCH 2025

Any time you see a 🔎, that means that members of our staff have done SOME (not all) due diligence for our readers already. This marked information was not found in the FDD and could only be discovered by searching available public records.

Overview

• Franchise: Pilar Coffee Bar & Iced Treats (Pilar Operations, LLC)

• FDD Year Reviewed: 2025 (covers business through December 31, 2024

• Industry: Food Service; Beverages

• Notes: Publicly filed FDD obtained from the State of Illinois, as filed by the franchisor

Key Observations     

ITEM 1

• Started offering franchises in August 2023

• Immediate parent company RIT GROUP, LLC. 🔎 Records indicate this is a Delaware LLC registered as a Foreign LLC in Florida (5/26/2023)

• The Member (parent company, or Owner) of RIT GROUP, LLC is SG GIFTS LP, 🔎 which does not appear to be registered as a foreign entity in Florida

  • Jumping to Item 2, we see SG GIFTS LP listed under Stephen Giordanella’s experience

  • Per Item 2, SG GIFTS LP was formerly named MAC AND CHEESE RESTAURANT HOLDINGS LP

  • 🔎 MAC AND CHEESE RESTAURANT HOLDINGS LP is (currently active per Florida SunBiz entity search) a Foreign Limited Partnership and lists the General Partner as MAC AND CHEESE RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT, LLC

• 🔎 The “Authorized Representatives” of RIT GROUP, LLC are Stephen Giordanella and Delia Valles

• 🔎 MAC AND CHEESE FRANCHISE MANAGEMENT, LLC is the “Manager” of both PILAR OPERATIONS, LLC and RIT GROUP, LLC

• 🔎 MAC AND CHEESE FRANCHISE MANAGEMENT, LLC is a Florida LLC

  • Registered on 3/3/2017

  • Authorized Member is Stephen Giordanella

  • Authorized Representative is Delia Valles

• PILAR OPERATIONS, LLC lists two affiliated entities in their FDD

  • MAC AND CHEESE FRANCHISE OPERATIONS, LLC

  • RIT OPERATIONS, LLC

• MAC AND CHEESE FRANCHISE OPERATIONS, LLC offers franchises to operate “a family friendly quick serve restaurant specializing in the sale of customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches, as well as tomato soup under the names I HEART MAC AND CHEESE and I HEART MAC AND CHEESE AND MORE

  • 🔎 MAC AND CHEESE FRANCHISE OPERATIONS, LLC is a Delaware LLC registered as a Foreign LLC in Florida on 5/8/2017

  • 🔎 Authorized Person is Stephen Giordanella

  • 🔎 Manager is Delia Valles and MAC AND CHEESE FRANCHISE GROUP, LLC

    • MAC AND CHEESE FRANCHISE GROUP, LLC is a Delaware LLC registered as a Foreign LLC in Florida on 4/3/2017

    • Authorized Person(s) are Stephen Giordanella and Delia Valles

    • Manager is SG GIFTS LP

• RIT OPERATIONS, LLC offers franchises that sell ice cream, frozen yogurt, Italian ice, and similar frozen desserts under the name RUSH ICED TREATS

  • 🔎 RIT OPERATIONS, LLC is a Foreign LLC registered in Florida on 5/26/2023

  • 🔎 Managers are Stephen Giordanella and Delia Valles

• *Most* entities listed above have a principal address located at 6600 N Military Trail #300, Boca Raton, FL 33496

  • 🔎 We say *Most* because while the FDD states RIT OPERATIONS, LLC has a principal address located at 6600 N Military Trail #300, Boca Raton, FL 33496, the corporate record on the Sunbiz website shows differently

• They state their affiliates have not and do not offer franchises in this line or any other line of business and have no other predecessors or affiliates required to be disclosed

What we don’t see mentioned but probably should be:

• 🔎 PILAR DEERFIELD, LLC

  • Domestic Florida LLC

  • Member is RIT GROUP, LLC

  • Authorized Representatives are Stephen Giordanella and Delia Valles

  • Principal address is 6600 N Military Trail #300, Boca Raton, FL 33496

  • It is believed that this entity operates the “flagship” Pilar Coffee Bar & Iced Treats in Deerfield Beach, FL. According to construction permitting records, permits were taken out in the name of PILAR DEERFIELD, LLC by Carlos “Max” Gonzalez

Other Notable Points (straight from the FDD)

• There are some special risks with this franchise:

  • Disputes must be resolved with the franchisor by mediation, arbitration, or litigation ONLY in Florida.

  • Your spouse may be required to sign a personal guaranty that will make them liable for all financial obligations under the franchise agreement even if your spouse has no ownership interest in the franchise. This guaranty will put both you and your spouse’s marital and personal assets at risk if your franchise fails.

  • The franchisor’s financial conditions suggests that the franchisor may not have the financial ability to provide services and support to you.

  • You must make mandatory minimum royalty or advertising fund payments, even if your business has low sales and high expenses. Your inability to make these payments may result in termination of your franchise and loss of your investment.

  • The primary trademark that you will use in this business is not federally registered. If the franchisor’s right to use this trademark in your area is challenged, you may have to identify your business and its products or services with a name that differs from that used by other franchisees or the franchisor. This change can be expensive and may reduce brand recognition of the products or services you offer.

  • This franchisor is at an early stage of development and has a limited operating history. This franchise is likely to be a riskier investment than a franchise with a longer operating history.

This report is based on publicly available documents, court filings, and the franchisor’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) as filed with the State of Illinois. Interpretations, observations, and conclusions drawn herein represent the informed opinions of Franchise Reality Check™ and are intended to encourage deeper due diligence by prospective franchisees. This content should not be construed as legal, financial, or investment advice. Prospective investors should consult with a qualified franchise attorney and CPA before making any franchise purchase decisions.