A new fast-casual restaurant is opening on Kennedy Boulevard just west of downtown Tampa.
Ragin' Grill is a new a concept developed by Tampa Bay native Jim Cheatham, owner of a Lion's Share Group and CEO of Fun and Food Management.
Focusing on serving “all American comfort food,” including ribs, burgers, chicken, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, corn-on-the-cob and collard greens, Ragin' Grill will offer dine-in seating while focusing on delivery within a five-mile radius of itself at 1719 W. Kennedy Blvd. Cheatham says he plans to open several more Ragin' Grills in the Tampa Bay region and across the United States.
“The location on Kennedy is perfect because it's big enough to house both the corporate offices and Ragin' Grill's first restaurant,” says Teresa Ward of
TF Ward Marketing Solutions, who is working with Fun and Food Management on the restaurant's opening. “We'll be focusing on the delivery of our home-cooked meals, but folks can also come in and dine with us or pick up take-out.”
Formerly the location of the
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida, the 5,000-square-foot building consists of 2,800 square feet of Ragin Grill's corporate offices and training center, as well as the 2,200-square-foot restaurant building. The restaurant concept is to have 25 employees per location and six management executives on corporate staff.
Cheatham's experience in restaurants grew from heading up one of the original
Wendy's franchises more than 40 years ago.
“Part of Jim's mission is to create jobs within the community while giving back,” says Ward. “He's really focused on making sure that we hire locally and that we partner with local organizations in the area to provide food and services.”
Meals On Wheels of Tampa and
Fisher House Foundation are among the charities and organizations Ragin' Grill plans to support. The first restaurant is expected to open by the end of September.
Writer:
Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Teresa Ward,
TF Ward Marketing Solutions
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