Food–Beverage

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By Jim Stinson
February 26, 2024

Bloomin' Brands to shutter 41 underperforming restaurants

Bloomin' Brands, the Tampa-based parent company of Outback and Carrabba's, will close 41 underperforming stores — even as the firm eyes adding another 40-45 stores in 2024.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

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By Beth Luberecki
February 22, 2024

$3 million food, drink and entertainment concept a hit in Naples

Two decades of "successes, failures, bumps, bruises" guides entrepreneurs' strategy with multi-venue food and beverage venture.

Charlotte–Lee–Collier

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By Jim Stinson
February 16, 2024

Polk County withdraws rule that would have banned food trucks

Haines City considered a ban on mobile food vendors, but then the people spoke up.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

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By Mark Gordon
February 15, 2024

Prime downtown Sarasota spot leased for high-end whiskey-centric eatery

A high-end bar and restaurant company is planning its debut in Sarasota with a fine-dining, whiskey-infused location in a coveted second-floor spot on Main Street.

Manatee-Sarasota

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By Mark Gordon
February 8, 2024

Ohio hospitality brand chooses Naples to open first upscale bar in Florida

A Cincinnati hospitality company is expanding to Florida for the first time by opening an upscale cocktail bar in Naples.

Charlotte–Lee–Collier

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By Jim Stinson
February 7, 2024

Parisian-themed cafe chain from Texas eyes Tampa Bay

Plans of Sweet Paris are the second announcement of a French-style cafe chain in a month.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

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By Jim Stinson
February 7, 2024

Entrepreneurs aim to thwart Haines City’s food truck ban

Haines City delayed a reading and potential vote on a proposed ordinance banning food trucks after a public interest law firm argued that the ban violates Florida law.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

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By Mark Gordon
February 1, 2024

Prolific investor acquires landmark Sarasota property The Boatyard

A landmark mixed-use waterfront property on Siesta Key has been sold to Chris Brown, a Sarasota-area entrepreneur, real estate investor and co-founder of the Above the Bar Hospitality Group.

Manatee-Sarasota

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By Jim Stinson
January 30, 2024

Polk County city seeks to ban food trucks

A coalition of food trucks operators are urging Haines City to cease efforts to pass a "near-total ban" on food trucks and to allow all banned food trucks to resume operations.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

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By Jim Stinson
January 30, 2024

Prominent Tampa restaurant family honored by vision nonprofit

Longtime restaurateur Richard Gonzmart and daughter Andrea Gonzmart Williams will be honored as "people of vision."

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

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By Mark Gordon
January 29, 2024

Tampa food brokerage hires Publix dairy, frozen meat executive

After a 24-year career with Publix, Nicki Crespo is staying in the food business in a new executive role with Tampa-based Bay Food Brokerage.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

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By Jim Stinson
January 26, 2024

Cafe and burger franchises plot Tampa Bay, Sarasota debuts

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

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

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By Mark Gordon
January 25, 2024

Ohio hot dog joint chooses south Sarasota County for Florida debut

Hot Dog Shoppe, a popular Ohio-based eatery founded in 1946, is opening a location in Venice — its first franchise store and first spot outside the Buckeye State.