Tim Aten Knows: First-quarter restaurant openings, closings create buzz in SWFL 

Local restaurant action in the first quarter of 2026 was dominated by chain reactions. Readers routinely asked about the opening and closing of chains such as Shake Shack and Sonic. 

Chain links 

Dining chains and franchises launching their first locations in Southwest Florida generated the most excitement during the first three months of the year. The super-popular Shake Shack’s opening in late February at Mercato in North Naples created the most buzz. Right behind it were a couple of chicken joints — the new Saucy! by KFC that replaced PDQ in Naples and Dave’s Hot Chicken that came to south Fort Myers in March. 

Others packing people in at new locations included Connors Steak & Seafood, which came to North Naples in January, and the Panda Express drive-thru that finally opened in Founders Square in February. Also launching in March in new retail centers in Golden Gate Estates, Little Caesars brought its pizza to Winchester Center, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe started serving in the Shoppes at Orange Blossom. 

Bottomless coffee  

Other popular chains introduced their first coffee bars to the area in the first quarter. Those included Aroma Joe’s in Cape Coral, Cali Coffee in Bonita Springs and Dutch Bros. Coffee in south Fort Myers. A new local coffee and kava bar, The Roast & Rush Society, just opened its second North Naples location in the Galleria at Vanderbilt after percolating its first last summer in a longtime coffee spot in the Shoppes at Audubon. 

Closing remarks 

Dining chains that closed up shop in the last few months also had folks talking, especially  

the permanent closings of Sonic Drive-In in East Naples and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen in North Naples. Both shuttered without replacements in their respective Naples Town Centre and Granada Shoppes, while their Lee County counterparts remain open. 

Great American Bagel, Jose Cuervo Tequileria and Sbarro all closed at Southwest Florida International Airport. Kelly’s Roast Beef closed all three of its locations in Collier and Lee counties in January, while Uncle Julio’s Mexican restaurant permanently closed at Coastland Center mall in Naples.  

Two Mexican restaurants in the Shoppes at Vanderbilt in North Naples – Crazy King Burrito and Imperio Taqueria – both closed in February, and Molcajetes Mexican restaurant closed its location at Park Shore Plaza in Naples. 

Other local casualties include Liki Tiki BBQ in Naples, and the Golden Gate location of Country House Restaurant on Collier Boulevard. Partially damaged by a second-floor fire in late March, Mino in Naples is temporarily closed while it makes repairs with plans to reopen soon. 

Changing landscape 

Three restaurants operating in retail centers near the intersection of Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard recently changed ownership, concepts and menus.  

Although Shabo’s Bistro in Pebblebrooke Center was sold in late 2025, the new owner didn’t fully make the business his own until recently with changes that included a new restaurant name: Bernwood Tavern & Cucina. The Tipsy Corner at Cameron Commons in North Naples launched in January in the former longtime Immokalee Road space of Pelican Larry’s Raw Bar & Grill. Nearby in Cameron Commons, Uma Sushi opened in March in the former space of Sakura Buffet. 

Rebuilt after hurricane damage, The Mucky Duck landmark restaurant relaunched in March on Captiva Island. ChaChaCha Fusion Cuban Cuisine debuted in Skillet’s former location in The Strand in North Naples. Vito’s Famous Cheesesteaks opened in the former unit of Floridita Cuban Bakery at Trinity Plaza on U.S. 41 in Naples. Bru Bistro recently replaced the former Lobster Rolls No. 1 at Berkshire Commons in East Naples. 

More in Collier 

Barrio Taqueria and All Too Well Gourmet Sandwiches both launched casual restaurants in February on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples.  

Saigon To Paris Restaurant, Bar & Bakery opened in a new restaurant space in January in Promenade Plaza at Airport-Pulling Road and Estey Avenue in East Naples. Umami Ave launched its Southeast Asian fusion restaurant in mid-February in Ave Maria’s Midtown Plaza. 

Beyond Juicery + Eatery also opened another area location in January in The Pavilion shopping center in North Naples. 

Now open in Lee 

Cazaroto Pizza & Pasta opened its Brazilian-style all-you-can-eat experience in February in an outparcel at Prado at Spring Creek in Bonita Springs. Elsewhere in Bonita, Acqua Bistecca launched in January at Saltleaf on Estero Bay, Craft Spirits Social celebrated its New Year’s opening in Entrada on the northeast corner of Old 41 and Bonita Beach Road, and Lemonade Land opened in Flamingo Island Flea Market. 

In Estero, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls launched in Coconut Point, Wasabi by Suji Japanese Steakhouse started at Miromar Outlets, and 41 Bagels began on U.S. 41. Other openings this quarter in Lee include Chuck Lager Legendary Kitchen in Fort Myers, Resurgence Brewing Co. in south Fort Myers, Anarchy Ale Works in Alva and Scooters Pizza on Sanibel Island. 

In Cape Coral, Aqua Seafood & Steaks and Big Nick’s Barbecue launched in the Cove at 47th, while Phelan Family Brands debuted Bimini Basin Seafood & Cocktails on the Bimini Canal. Longtime Italian restaurant Mangia Bene closed for remodeling and reopened as a new pizzeria concept, Mangia Bene Big Slice. Street Wok opened in Slipaway Food Truck Park, while Chop It Up Sandwiches food truck left Slipaway in January and opened as a brick-and-mortar spot in Oasis Outdoors in North Fort Myers. 

The Tim Aten Knows weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at Tim.Aten@NaplesPress.com.