From LEAP Pitch Competition to $170K Facility: Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes Expands into Delhi Township
Two-time award recipient’s expansion from incubator kitchen to Holt facility creates jobs, grows regional food economy
Holt, Mich. (June. 18, 2026) — Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes opened its first brick-and-mortar facility to increase capacity and meet national and statewide demand for their popular line of New York-style cheesecakes. The new building at 1967 N. Aurelius Rd in Holt will allow them to double their footprint in Meijer stores. The move represents a $170,000 investment in the region and is expected to create 5 new jobs over the next two years, building on the 10 positions Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes already supports.
Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) has provided hands-on small business development services to support Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes with small business leadership coaching, procurement, and mentorship to help them plan their growth for business sustainability since 2020. The bakery was awarded a Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) grant in the amount of $76,893 to relocate to a larger facility so it could increase wholesale production, expand its summer hiring program for student workers, and add one full-time and one part-time job.
“Having come through LEAP’s small business programs, Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes embodies the homegrown entrepreneurial development LEAP strives to enable in the Lansing region to sustainably generate tax base and jobs for the community,” said Bob Trezise, LEAP’s president and CEO. “LEAP is currently working with a wide variety of small businesses that are primed to follow this success path of Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes.”
“Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes didn’t just open a storefront—we opened a door. A door that took years of community investment to build,” said founder Marcus Leslie. “We are proof that when a community pours professional support and assistance into its people, those people pour back to the community. To Allen Neighborhood Center, to LEAP’s small business support programs, and to every organization and individual that believed in us before the doors ever opened this grand opening belongs to all of us-—a regional victory for all.”
For five years, founder Marcus Leslie and his team developed their ideas within LEAP’s programs and made their cheesecakes in a 400-square-foot incubator kitchen at the Allen Neighborhood Center. The new Holt facility represents a significant step from incubator-stage business to established artisan food manufacturer, supporting the region’s small business ecosystem and demonstrating the impact of LEAP’s small business programming and support.
Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes produces 1,000 cheesecakes per week for distribution to various grocery stores across the state.
“Delhi Township is excited to have Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes open their doors and expand their business in Holt where they will have the opportunity to become a true regional Michigan brand,” said Eddie Montemayor, supervisor at Delhi Charter Township.
Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes products are available at Meijer, Fresh Thyme, and various local restaurants throughout the region, with online ordering at MrLesliesCheesecakes.com.
Small businesses seeking growth support can explore LEAP’s programs at purelansing.com.
