Laugh Factory, a chain of comedy clubs, is planning to open a location in Fresno within the next three to six months, depending on the chosen site.
Joseph Merhi, a partner in the Laugh Factory chain, is considering three or four potential sites in Fresno, including downtown, and expects to make a final decision and sign a lease soon.
*The company is looking for a site of 5,000 to 10,000 square feet that can accommodate a 300 to 600-seat comedy club with bar and food services.
*Fresno currently does not have a standalone comedy club, but various restaurants, nightclubs, breweries, and venues host occasional comedy shows or open mic nights.
Mayor Jerry Dyer expressed his support for a comedy club in downtown Fresno, stating, “We need the Laugh Factory here in downtown Fresno, to put you on the spot.”
Opening its doors in 1979, the World Famous Laugh Factory has been recognized as “the #1 comedy club in the country” by such high-profile media as USA Today. With southern California locations in Hollywood (its original Sunset Boulevard locale) and Long Beach (opened in 2008), comedy’s top stars, as well as today’s brightest emerging talent, shine on its legendary stage.
Founder Jamie Masada, the driving force behind the Laugh Factory, is revered as a pioneer and innovator and is an iconic name on the comedy scene. He was and continues to be instrumental in launching the careers of many of today’s biggest comics. The New York Daily News called him the “Real King of Comedy.” His knowledge and expertise have made him the leading authority on all things comedy and his advice is highly regarded by the entertainment industry’s top power brokers.
Joseph Merhi praised Fresno and downtown Fresno as “the place to really invest,” while mentioning challenges faced in negotiations with San Francisco for a Laugh Factory location.
The most recent Laugh Factory location opened in Covina, set up inside an old theater, and has been successful.
