National chains with Florida roots
| Chain | Known for | Florida beginnings |
|---|---|---|
| Burger King | The Whopper | Started in Jacksonville in 1953 and soon grew from Miami, where it is still headquartered |
| Red Lobster | Cheddar Bay Biscuits and seafood | First restaurant opened in Lakeland in 1968 |
| Olive Garden | Breadsticks and Italian-American food | First restaurant opened in Orlando in 1982 |
| Hooters | Wings | Founded in Clearwater in 1983 |
| Outback Steakhouse | Bloomin' Onion and steaks | Founded in Tampa in 1988 |
| Bonefish Grill | Wood-grilled fish and Bang Bang Shrimp | Founded in St. Petersburg in 2000 |
| Firehouse Subs | Hot subs, founded by firefighter brothers | Founded in Jacksonville in 1994 |
| Miller's Ale House | Zingers and sports on TV | Founded in Jupiter in 1988 |
| Metro Diner | Comfort food and big breakfasts | Founded in Jacksonville in 1992 |
| Hawkers Asian Street Food | Asian street food | Founded in Orlando in 2011 |
Regional favorites Floridians love
| Chain | Known for | Florida story |
|---|---|---|
| Publix | The "Pub sub," especially the chicken tender sub | Supermarket founded in Winter Haven in 1930; its deli subs have a cult following |
| Pollo Tropical | Caribbean-style grilled chicken | Founded in Miami in 1988 |
| Flanigan's | Baby back ribs and "Big Daddy's" liquor stores | South Florida since 1959 |
| Tijuana Flats | Tex-Mex with a hot sauce bar | Founded in Winter Park in 1995 |
| 4 Rivers Smokehouse | Brisket and barbecue | Founded in Winter Park in 2009 |
| Sonny's BBQ | Pulled pork and sweet tea | Founded in Gainesville in 1968 |
| Beef 'O' Brady's | Family sports pub | Founded in Brandon in 1985 |
| Ford's Garage | Burgers in a 1920s service-station setting | Founded in Fort Myers in 2012 |
Restaurants open, close, move and change hours often. Check the restaurant's own website or call before you go. No restaurant paid to be listed.
Road-tripping Florida?
Rent a car at USA Auto Rental, compare hotel deals in Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Jacksonville at Rooms Cheap, and find things to do at 101 Things to Do in Florida.
Frequently asked questions
Which restaurant chains started in Florida?
Burger King, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Hooters, Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Firehouse Subs, Miller's Ale House, Metro Diner, Pollo Tropical and many regional chains.
What is a Pub sub?
A sub sandwich from the deli at Publix, the Florida-founded supermarket chain. The chicken tender sub is the most famous.