Ford's Garage drives growth to Pasco

LAND O' LAKES -- An upstart restaurant chain bearing the name of one of the world's most famous automakers is continuing its push north, with plans to build in Pasco County.

Ford's Garage Restaurant is set to meet with county officials next week to discuss plans for a 7,500-square-foot restaurant in an outparcel at Cypress Creek Town Center. That proposed shopping center is planned for State Road 56 near its junction with Interstate 75, across the road from where Tampa Premium Outlets mall currently is under construction.

Marc Brown, a partner in the restaurant chain and president of Bluestar Business Solutions, is listed on a document filed with the county as the owner. Also expected to attend the closed-door meeting are architect Mickey Rushing of Sol Design Studio and civil engineer Eric Hendra of Hendra & Associates Inc.

Ford's Garage Restaurant specializes in hamburgers with a 1920s vibe, in the spirit of Ford Motor Co. founder Henry Ford during the Model T era. The first location opened in Fort Myers in 2012, with additional restaurants now in Cape Coral and Estero. The fourth location opened last March in Brandon.

The initial growth of Ford's Garage hasn't been completely smooth driving. Last year the chain signed a licensing agreement with Ford Motor Co. that would allow it to continue using the Ford name, but also give the restaurant access to the Ford logo and other Ford products, including actual Model Ts. The agreement came after the restaurant's parent was denied a trademark by the U.S. Patent and Trademark office.

It's not clear when construction will begin. Hendra and officials with Ford's Garage couldn't be reached for comment.