Restaurant chain continues push into Sarasota

SARASOTA — Less than five months after filing plans for its first restaurant in Sarasota, Pollo Tropical has targeted another location in the area.

The fast-casual chain plans to open a 3,600-square-foot restaurant on South Tamiami Trail at the site formerly occupied by Square 1 Burgers, according to the Sarasota Observer, sister paper of the Business Observer. The plans were announced in a request for a pre-application conference filed with the city. The property, at 1737 S. Tamiami Trail, is across U.S. 41 from Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

The Caribbean-themed concept, which has more than 160 locations, was founded in Miami in 1988. The restaurant operates under the umbrella of Texas-based Fiesta Restaurant Group Inc., and is known for marinated chicken and pork dishes.