Flying Pan Creperie To Open, Kennedy Blvd, Tampa

The scent of decadent, made-to-order crepes served in a relaxing, vintage-inspired cafe with indoor and outdoor seating will soon be part of Tampa's growing urban scene along Kennedy Boulevard west of downtown.

Flying Pan, one of the Tampa Bay region's newest franchises, will soon offer crepes, fresh omelets, waffles, pancakes, soups, salads and paninis made with fresh, whole ingredients for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a fast-casual restaurant seating nearly 100 people.

“With customers being able to see their food being prepared -- their crepes cooked right in front of them on the griddle -- a visit to the Flying Pan will be entertaining and visual. Not to mention, you'll have the aroma of the fresh crepes,” says Misann Ellmaker, company spokeswoman and Walker Brands brand manager. Walker Brands provides public relations, marketing and advertising for Flying Pan.

In 2001, the Flying Pan's ownership group, BFC Retail Group, started what was called the Crepe Cafe in Australia. According to Ellmaker, the concept moved from Australia to the Middle East with 30 locations before looking to expand in the United States.

“In putting their plans together, they wanted to come up with a new brand that translated well into the American market,” Ellmaker says. “They chose Tampa as their first U.S. location because they really wanted a testing ground with a broad demographic -- a mix of tourism and residents varying in income and age.”

Flying Pan will feature breakfast crepes like the Fruity Museli with granola, greek yogurt, fresh fruits and mixed berries; lunch crepes like the Flyin' BLT with bacon, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, avocado and Dijonaise sauce; and dessert crepes like Apple Pie with apple compote, butter, white sugar, cinnamon, whipped cream and vanilla ice cream.

The menu will also feature one-of-a-kind omelets, waffles, pancakes, soups, salads, paninis and specialty coffee, smoothies and tea. Vegetarian options are available and the griddle-cooked crepes will not be cooked in oil or butter.

“The menu is so dangerous,” says Ellmaker. “But what I really like is that you can come at any time of the day and find something: On your way to work for breakfast, at lunchtime for a meeting or dinner with family or a date. It's so versatile.”

BFC Retail Group's goal with the Flying Pan is to have 10 franchise agreements signed by the end of 2014.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Misann Ellmaker, Walker Brands