[CREDIT: Honey Baked Ham Company] The Honey Baked Ham Company will host the grand opening of its new Warwick location at 300 Quaker Lane on Saturday, Nov. 23, 11 a.m., The store is rewarding the first 50 guests in line with Free HoneyBaked Sandwiches for a year.WARWICK, RI — Tom Mcgwire’s great-grandfather Harry J. Hoenselaar founded Honey Baked Ham in 1958, so he knew a bit about the company’s spiral-sliced, sweet, crunchy glazed Honey Baked Ham when he expanded his franchise to 300 Quaker Lane, which celebrates its Grand Opening Saturday.
“He invented the spiral slicer that launched the company,” said Mcgwire, who said he admires his great-grandfather’s perseverance.
“He originally invented and patented the spiral slicer with the idea that delis, super markets, food distributors etc., would want to buy or license it. He thought everyday people would want it in their kitchens at some point. He pursued this for years thinking that was where the money was.
He eventually worked for a store called “Honey Baked Ham” in Detroit to make ends meet. After the owner died he bought the store and incorporated his spiral slicer there. The concept blew up and today there are over 450 stores and we are still family-owned today,” Mcgwire said.
At 11 a.m., the store will reward its first 50 guests in line with Free HoneyBaked Sandwiches for a year, in the form of 12 free sandwich coupons, valid only at HoneyBaked Ham of Warwick at 300 Quaker Ln, West Warwick, RI 02893. Limit to one winner per household.. Throughout the celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the store will also raffle off a free Honey Baked Ham or Turkey for one guest every 30 minutes. (Limit one entry per celebrant. Raffle winners will be announced every 30 minutes during the following times: 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m.)
Additionally, the community is invited to enjoy product sampling, spin the HoneyBaked prize wheel to win branded merchandise and 20% off their purchase for the entire day. At noon, McGwire will be joined by Mayor Frank J. Picozzi, along with the Warwick Fire Department and other local dignitaries for a ribbon cutting ceremony. Following the ribbon cutting, HoneyBaked will present the Warwick Community Food Bank with a $500 in-kind product donation.
‘My great grandfather started the company in 1958 and as a fourth-generation owner, I take great pride in continuing our tradition of bringing joy to families through our signature ham and outstanding customer service.’
“We are so excited to bring the HoneyBaked Ham experience to Warwick and for the community to join us in this celebration,” said McGwire, “My great grandfather started the company in 1958 and as a fourth-generation owner, I take great pride in continuing our tradition of bringing joy to families through our signature ham and outstanding customer service.”
Honey Baked Ham now operates 450 U.S. stores, though only six in New England, and this is the first in Rhode Island, part of what McGwire said is an effort to expand further in New England states. McGwire and his wife, Carrolline, operate the franchise, which also includes two Connecticut stores, and he’s partners with his father and two brothers.
Regarding his interest in his own franchise, McGwire said, “I truly believe it’s the best ham,” out there, a thought that was in his mind during a shareholder’s meeting when Honey Baked CEO Jim Dinkins talked about introducing the company’s ham and other products in areas where the company isn’t yet prominent.
In addition to their well-known hams, the company also sells turkey, sides and lunch. They’re also featuring a new product, sliders, “which are great for tailgating”. The company is also a go-to for people preparing Thanksgiving and holiday meals, and for corporations and businesses for holiday gifts to employees.
Mcgwire said he chose the Quaker Lane spot because it’s a busy area with a lot of visitors, and the street is also well-known as home to other successful Rhode Island firsts, including Chick-fil-A and Frank Pepe’s Pizza. The store will employ 12 people, all local, save the manager, who hails from Connecticut.
Honey Baked Ham isn’t sold in supermarkets, McGwire noted, but his grandfather’s original idea launched similar products marketed as honey-baked. “But it’s really not the same thing,” he said.
That’s what Mcgwire intends to impress on people Saturday.
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
![[CREDIT: Honey Baked Ham Company] The Honey Baked Ham Company will host the grand opening of its new Warwick location at 300 Quaker Lane on Saturday, Nov. 23, 11 a.m., The store is rewarding the first 50 guests in line with Free HoneyBaked Sandwiches for a year.](https://warwickpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Honey-Baked-Ham-Warwick-Grand-Opening.jpg)
![[CREDIT: Honey Baked Ham Company] The Honey Baked Ham Company will host the grand opening of its new Warwick location at 300 Quaker Lane on Saturday, Nov. 23, 11 a.m., The store is rewarding the first 50 guests in line with Free HoneyBaked Sandwiches for a year.](https://warwickpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Honey-Baked-Ham-Warwick-Grand-Opening-336x252.jpg)
