Legendary restaurateur Paul Fleming has hitched his name to an up-and-coming Tex-Mex concept. Along with investment firm The Hoffmann Family Of Companies, Fleming signed a letter of intent to partner in the growth of Tacos & Tequila Cantina, a three-unit concept well known in the Southwest Florida community.
Fleming, a Naples, Florida, resident, has developed and created some of the most recognizable concepts in full-service over the past 30 years. The “P.F.” in P.F. Chang’s is an ode to his role in the brand’s start (the Chang is for Philip Chiang). He also developed now-Bloomin’ Brands run Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar with partner Bill Allen; Paul Martin’s American Grill; and conceptualized fast casual Pei Wei.
“Tacos & Tequila Cantina blends a passion for local, fresh, hand-crafted food with a vibrant atmosphere. The culture and brand that the Musico’s built in the Naples community embodies the type of experience guests are looking for today and in years to come,” Fleming said in a statement.
No details of the partnership were revealed. The company said the parties would “bring their unique south of the border cuisine across Florida and the nation.”
Tacos & Tequila Cantina was founded by Kelly and Aldo Musico in August 2013. “We are proud of the strong culture we have built in our restaurants,” they said in a joint statement. “The support and sense of family that we have with our employees and with the local community is truly what has made this brand successful. With our new partnership, we are eager to open more doors and continue to do what we do best in the neighborhoods where we do business.”
Per a release, David Hoffmann, chairman of Hoffmann Commercial Real Estate and founder of private equity company Osprey Capital, is the largest private investor in commercial real estate in Naples. “I am thrilled to partner with Kelly and Aldo Musico and Paul Fleming. The Musico’s have done a wonderful job of bringing fantastic, affordable food to the Naples area and we look forward to expanding the brand statewide and eventually nationwide,” he added in a statement.
Thee Hoffmann Family of Companies include the Naples Princess Cruises, The Bevy, Naples Transportation & Tours, GlobalWorks, Hoffmann Executive Suites, Sunmaster, Signs & Things, Adelheidi’s, EventLux, WeddingLux, and Coral Cay Adventure Golf.
