Restaurant chain continues push into Sarasota

SARASOTA — Less than five months after filing plans for its first restaurant in Sarasota, Pollo Tropical has targeted another location in the area.

The fast-casual chain plans to open a 3,600-square-foot restaurant on South Tamiami Trail at the site formerly occupied by Square 1 Burgers, according to the Sarasota Observer, sister paper of the Business Observer. The plans were announced in a request for a pre-application conference filed with the city. The property, at 1737 S. Tamiami Trail, is across U.S. 41 from Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

The Caribbean-themed concept, which has more than 160 locations, was founded in Miami in 1988. The restaurant operates under the umbrella of Texas-based Fiesta Restaurant Group Inc., and is known for marinated chicken and pork dishes.

In February, the restaurant filed permits with Sarasota County to replace the Shell station at Sarasota Crossings, the shopping center at the northeast corner of Fruitville Road and Honore Avenue.