Fire & Rice Opens a New Paella Franchise in the Twin Cities!

We are excited to announce that Fire & Rice has opened a new paella location in the Twin Cities!  Tom Reinhart, a Minnesota native and owner of the new paella franchise, plans to start operations this May.  If you live in Minneapolis and St. Paul area, you are in for a treat!

The Twin Cities market is a great fit for Fire & Rice. Not only do the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have an abundance of great restaurants, but they also host numerous art and music festivals, street fairs and festivals, and community events year-round.  And, as far as farmers’ markets go – they are everywhere!  ​

Meet Tom Reinhart – Owner of Fire & Rice of the Twin Cities’ Paella Franchise

As a kid growing up in St. Paul, Tom loved watching the original Iron Chef and dreamed of being a chef himself.  When his college-age sister went to work in a restaurant, he would accompany her any chance he got. Though he was only eleven years old, he would watch the chefs cook, and they would let him help with the preparation process. Tom enjoyed every moment!
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Once Tom reached high school, he worked as a prep cook in some of the highest-end restaurants in the greater Twin Cities area.  Later, with the goal of being a chef, he toured with Cordon Bleu. However, life led him down a different path and into the world of finance, working at a local bank and then opening his own business.  Now, by bringing Fire & Rice to the Twin Cities area, he returns to a childhood passion for food and entertaining. 

Why Fire & Rice? 

Tom has been visiting the Naples area since he was a child, and for more than a decade, he has been enjoying award-winning paella from Fire & Rice. While visiting the Third Street Farmers’ Market in Naples last year, he saw a sign for franchising opportunities and was intrigued.
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After much discussion, he planned to open a paella catering franchise in the Twin Cities in 2022. However, by watching Fire & Rice of Naples’ success during the pandemic, Tom saw that he could capitalize on the opportunity and decided to open a year ahead of schedule. 

​Bringing Authentic, Award-Winning Paella to the Twin Cities

Lots of people in the Twin Cities area have a strong appreciation for high-quality, unique foods and a desire to experience new things. While there are extensive dining opportunities available in the area, there is little competition in the Spanish food market. By integrating Fire & Rice into the local venues and hitting the party circuit, Tom will introduce the people of Minneapolis and St. Paul to our award-winning paella.

If you’re interested in learning more about our paella franchise opportunities, call Fire & Rice franchisor, Paul Schmidgall, at (239) 269-8857. He’d love to talk with you!