Cafe and burger franchises plot Tampa Bay, Sarasota debuts

Franchise development executives agree: Florida, specifically the west coast of the state, is hot.

By Jim Stinson
| 5:00 a.m. January 26, 2024
| 0 Free Articles Remaining!

The Smalls Sliders restaurants, which the company calls "cans," are bright orange and resemble a long trailer.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

Florida foodies will soon have more choices, from croissants to cheeseburgers, thanks to franchisees delivering two new brands to the region.

Paris Baguette, a bakery and cafe franchise with 4,000 stores worldwide, announced plans Jan. 16 for 40 locations in Florida in the next few years, with at least six coming to Gulf Coast spots including Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Fort Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples. The company is also looking for at least two partners in Tampa and St. Pete.