Giggles N' Hugs, Inc. (GIGL)
Los Angeles-based Giggles N' Hugs, Inc. (GIGL) is a first-of-its-kind, award-winning family restaurant and play space that combines organic gourmet food with the play elements for children in a 2500-square-foot play space in the middle of the restaurant. The concept is similar to Chuck E. Cheese, but offers a unique healthier, high-end version for health conscious parents and families. Parents eat and relax while the kids have an incredible time playing in the custom-made play area with giant climbers, dragons, castles, pirate ships slides and swings and a multitude of other toys.
In addition to nightly shows and concerts, every 30 minutes Giggles N' Hugs provides an activity such as face painting, disco dance parties, karaoke, games, arts and crafts, and much more. Giggles N' Hugs has been voted the No. 1 family restaurant, No. 1 birthday party place, and the No. 1 indoor play space in all of Los Angeles, and has attracted a star-studded list of customers including Sandra Bullock, Heidi Klum, Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, Denis Quaid, Mark Whalberg, Adam Sandler, Dustin Hoffman and many more.
Revenue is derived from several sources, including food and beverage sales, beer and wine, birthday parties (40%), admission and membership fees to play, along with retail sales. These revenue-generating locations are also highly sought-after tenants. The company currently has three locations in the top premier malls around Los Angeles; four of the largest mall owners in the country are giving Giggles N' Hugs up to 75% discounts on rent and providing upward of $700,000 of upfront cash for each location to get Giggles N' Hugs into their malls around the country.
Growth and recognition of this caliber are driven by a very powerful management team. Giggles N' Hugs President John Kaufman was the COO at California Pizza Kitchen when the founders had just two locations. Joined by Giggles N' Hugs' CFO Phillip Gay, who at the time was CFO of California Kitchen, Kaufman grew the company from two to more than 100 locations – at which time it was bought by Pepsi Co. Kaufman was recruited as president of Koo Koo Roo Chicken, one of the fastest growing fast-casual concepts on the west coast, while Gay joined Wolfgang Puck Restaurants group as CFO, eventually becoming the CEO.
Giggles N' Hugs was founded as a truly "kid friendly" establishment catered specifically to the size, interests, and nutrition needs of children. Since opening its first Giggles N' Hugs in 2009, the company has received a steady stream of interest from more than 300 interested parties looking to expand the concept – via franchise or master licenses – in the U.S. as well globally in countries such as Germany, England, Dubai, Russia, Colombia, Australia , Singapore, Turkey, among the many more.
