Marijuana-themed Cheba Hut eatery eyes East Lansing for two locations near MSU's campus

EAST LANSING — A marijuana-themed sandwich chain called Cheba Hut wants to open two restaurants in East Lansing near Michigan State University's campus. 

The franchise, with 25 locations in seven states, doesn't have deals locked in yet with the city and investors, but wants to finalize them by the end of this year, said Madeline Gomez, a company spokesperson. 

Gomez said Cheba Hut is "specifically targeting real estate near Michigan State University" and is looking to partner with three franchisees to "take on the state of Michigan as a whole and grow throughout."

"Cheba Hut currently has locations on several college campuses including the University of Wisconsin and is pursuing growth opportunities in other markets with Big Ten schools," Gomez said. "Cheba Hut is attracted to large student bodies as both a customer base and an opportunity for part-time employment, as each location will hire about 35 employees."

Cheba Hut doesn't sell marijuana or marijuana-infused edibles at its restaurants, but it does embrace the laid back stoner culture associated with those who smoke it. 

It was unclear Tuesday afternoon if Cheba Hut officials have submitted any business plans to the city of East Lansing. Ingham County officials also said they had not received any business plans or requests from the company.

Messages left with David Haywood, the city's planning and zoning administrator, weren't returned.

Cheba Hut's website, chebahut.com, describes the business as "the quintessential anti-corporation." It boasts online more than 30 marijuana-themed sub sandwiches at each restaurant and a variety of Rice Krispies treats. 

The menu posted online also lists craft beers, mixed drinks, sandwiches, side dishes and snacks (described as munchies), and desserts. Non-alcoholic drinks, including Kool-Aid, are under a section called "cottonmouth cures." 

The Cheba Hut franchise owns a fleet of used Volkswagen buses that travel around the country and follows an "Eat, drink, relax" motto.

Customers and Cheba Hut fans often take pictures in front of the buses and share them on social media.

The buses are usually parked at the sandwich shops and also can be found at festivals and other special events. 

In a 2017 column for The Daily Beast, Cheba Hut founder Scott Jennings described how the buses grew in popularity. 

"Over the past 15 years at the Cheba Hut, we have taken our well-used fleet of Buses to many music festivals—vending out of them, tailgating out of them, sleeping in them, partying in them, and, occasionally, getting busted in them," Jennings wrote. "We even tried to recreate the classic scene in 'Fast Times (at Ridgemont High)' where they roll out of the bus late to class with smoke pouring out of the sliding door.

"We have had them jumped by skateboarders, guys on BMX bikes, and a guy on a motorcycle. We even had a guy jump his bike over one into a pool of Kool-Aid."

Lansing resident Steve Green, 40, has visited Cheba Hut sandwich shops in Arizona and Colorado and said the franchise can succeed in East Lansing. 

Green smokes marijuana and has a favorite Cheba Hut menu item: the Panama Red. It's a chicken sandwich covered in marinara sauce, provolone and Parmesan cheese. 

"Everything is kind of themed after marijuana, but they don't serve edibles or anything like that," Green said of Cheba Hut. "It's just a regular restaurant. It's really good food." 

"I can imagine car loads of people coming from Grand Rapids to East Lansing because they have the first Cheba Hut." 

One available property in downtown East Lansing that may be a fit for Cheba Hut is the former Menna's Joint at Abbot Road and Albert Street. 

Menna's Joint was a mainstay of late-night dining for MSU students and closed in January after more than 15 years of business. 

Cheba Hut appears to have an easygoing workplace culture. The Facebook page for Cheba Hut's Madison, Wisconsin location had a July 30 message saying that employees receive competitive wages, flexible hours, discounted food when they aren't working and "free Cheba swag." 

"...and no, you do not have to pass a drug test to join the fam!" the message said.  

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Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy.

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