Clearwater restaurant group lands licensing deal with Naples taco restaurant

HMC Hospitality Group, the company behind the Hooters brand, recently closed on a licensing deal with Tacos & Tequila Cantina, a Tex-Mex restaurant with four locations in Naples and Estero. HMC plans to open Tacos & Tequila Cantina restaurants in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties and expand as far north as The Villages, according to a statement. 

Tacos & Tequila Cantina was founded in 2013 by restauranter Kelly Musico, whose previous experience included running Italian restaurant Aldo’s Italian Table & Bar with her husband in Naples. Musico plans to continue expanding in Southwest Florida. 

“Partnering with Kelly and Aldo was a no-brainer to continue to grow our portfolio beyond the Hooters brand. We have similar company values and commitment to providing the ultimate customer experience through quality food and a fun atmosphere. We look forward to emulating their success throughout the Tampa Bay area and Central Florida and working together for many years to come,” says HMC Hospitality Group Chief Development Officer Bill Moore in a released statement.

HMC Hospitality Group, originally founded as Hooters Management Corp. in Clearwater in 1983, owns and operates 22 Hooters Restaurants in Tampa Bay and Chicagoland and three Hoots locations in Chicagoland. It plans to open its first Tacos & Tequila Cantina location in 2025.