Lefty's Cheesesteaks teams up with Cleveland Browns quarterback for Ohio expansion

Michigan-based Lefty's Cheesesteaks has partnered with Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is also an equity owner in the company, to expand the brand to Cleveland, Ohio. A Pro Bowl selection, first-round draft pick and former national champion, Watson and Lefty's founder and CEO Sam Berry hosted a grand opening last week at 2115 South Taylor Road in University Heights, Ohio.

"The energy was magnetic, vibrant and surreal," Berry said in a company press release. "It was truly an amazing accomplishment for Lefty's Cheesesteaks to display our great product and to watch people for the first time indulge in our delicious food. It was an amazing, lifetime opportunity for many fans to meet a superstar athlete and national champion and All-Pro quarterback in Deshaun Watson, a day they will remember and cherish forever. Many kids from the Deshaun Watson charitable foundation also showed up as we gave away food, gifts and memorabilia to commemorate this moment.

Watson said his favorite item is The Southpaw: a cheesesteak that features grilled onions, white American cheese, cheese sauce and crushed Flamin' Hot Cheetos.

"It's a beautiful thing. It's amazing," Watson said in the release. "People came out and supported. The food has been amazing. People have been enjoying it. Me and Sam met back in 2019 and we've been brothers and business partners ever since. Once I got traded to Cleveland, I told him this was one of the first things I wanted to do is open one in Cleveland so we can give opportunities for jobs but also for people to try the food."

Berry echoed that sentiment and is proud to be partnered with Watson in this latest business venture.

"I'm extremely excited and so is Deshaun for us to expand into the backyard of where the company was founded in the state of Michigan," Berry. "And it makes great sense seeing as we're expanding the correct way with market research and logistics with our food supply vendor Miceli and Oldfield as our partners in this business venture. My friendship, partnership and brotherhood with Deshaun means everything to me. We embarked on this journey four years ago and our plan was to always turn Lefty's into a national chain. And our focus hasn't changed both on and off the field."

Lefty's has multiple locations across the country, including three locations inside the Detroit Lions' Ford Field and a partnership with NFL Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders.

"I intend on also focusing on getting inside concession stands everywhere such as airports, stadiums and other venues across the nation and international locations," Berry said. "The ultimate goal is to be one of the top franchises in America and in the world. This is another great step toward that goal."