Bonita Springs chain pinches Tampa area

BONITA SPRINGS — For its 10th restaurant, Pinchers Crab Shack will enter the Tampa Bay region, expanding the seafood restaurant chain's current reach from Key West to Sarasota.

The first Tampa-area location will be at the Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel in south Pasco County. The restaurant is scheduled to open there in June.

The Phelan family controls Bonita Springs-based Pinchers, starting with one restaurant nearly 20 years ago. The privately held company also owns Island Crab Company in Pine Island, which provides its restaurants with seafood.

In addition, the Phelans operate Texas Tony's barbecue restaurant and Big C Events, an event and catering company. You can read a story about Pinchers in the Business Observer here.