The HoneyBaked Ham Co. looks to beef up its presence the Northeast

By Chris Reidy, Globe Staff

The HoneyBaked Ham Co. of Georgia, an Atlanta-based food retailer, said it is “eyeing aggressive growth” in the Northeast as part of a larger objective to sign more franchise deals in areas that are hotbeds of ham lovers.

Not quite half of the company’s more than 400 locations are operated by franchisees.

With only 20 locations open collectively in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, the company thinks that area is ripe for expansion, along with Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island.

Company officials say they believe the brand has the capacity to open 30 more franchise locations across the region over the next five years.

“Our great tasting signature hams and turkeys leave an unforgettable mark across the country, and the demand is growing in the Northeast region,” Molly Kesmodel, vice president of franchise development for the HoneyBaked Ham Co., said in a statement. “Strategically speaking, we have had a solid year thus far with signed deals in Pennsylvania, Alabama and Georgia. As we come to the mid-year mark, we are now looking to prioritize efforts where there is strong interest for HoneyBaked growth and we are well-positioned to serve customers and entrepreneurs as we continue to open many more locations in the region.”