Ford’s Garage The Fort Myers Born Burger
Five years after making its debut, Fords Garage is going national.
The Fort Myers born burger-and-craft-beer chain, which has three Lee County locations and a store in Brandon, is adding a half-dozen or so more restaurants this year. In the next five years, the company plans to open at least 50 stores throughout Florida and in Michigan, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Charlotte, North Carolina, areas it is targeting for their racing and automotive ties.
Thats to start with, said Marc Brown, president of 23 Restaurant Services, the Tampa-based company that now manages operations for the booming brand.
Another partner is looking to develop the Texas and California markets. Im focusing on growing the South.
Brown, who ran restaurants for Ruby Tuesday and Houlihans before helping to open the original Fords Garage in 2012, has been tasked with overseeing the next phase of its growth.
He moved operations to Tampa the birthplace of several big-name restaurant chains to tap into that areas wealth of hospitality knowledge.
Founder Mike McGuigan remains involved, establishing markets in the Midwest and North Carolina. Founder Daniel Kearns also remains an owner in the company, with his focus, according to Brown, now on Fords Garages sister restaurants The Firestone, Capones, Los Cabos Cantina, The Lodge in Fort Myers.
Weve hired people who are industry leaders with Outback and Olive Garden, Brown said of 23 Restaurant Services executive team.
History Of Fords Garage
Fords Garage is your neighborhood burger and beer joint, where everyone is welcome. Located in Historic Downtown Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Miromar Outlets in Estero, Wesley Chapel, Westchase, Countryside, St. Augustine, St Petersburg, Lakeland, Brandon, Orlando, Kissimmee, Hamlin, Daytona Beach, and Wellington, Florida. In addition, we are also in Dearborn, Michigan Norwood, Ohio Noblesville, Indiana and Plano, Texas. Fords Garage will give you the vibe of being in a 1920s service station/prohibition bar with its old-style brick, dark colors, rich wood, and hand-hammered copper bar top. With many more unique features, too numerous to list, The Garage is a fun place to eat, hang out, and take pictures!
Ford’s Garage Opens First Unit In Texas
Ford’s Garage, a budding burger-and-craft-beer franchise inspired by Henry Ford himself, has opened its very first Texas restaurant, in Plano.
The more than 9,800-square-foot restaurant is the first of as many as 10 Fords Garage locations planned throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Leading the local expansion are long-time friends and restaurateurs Brian Judd and Jason Borders, who possess nearly 70 years of combined experience owning and operating restaurants ranging from fast casual to fine dining.
While leases have yet to be signed for the remaining restaurants, Judd and Borders are eyeing North Dallas, the DFW Mid Cities, North Fort Worth and Tarrant County for potential sites.
Ford Motor Company has quite a rich history as one of Americas most important manufacturing companies. That history also translates to a pretty cool dining experience, as it turns out, and were excited to be bringing that experience to Dallas, says Judd. With its Ford-inspired design cues and first-rate service and food, Fords Garage will offer something for everyone, from toddlers to grandparents.
Founded in 2012 near Henry Fords winter home in Fort Myers, Florida, Fords Garage has a unique licensing agreement with the Ford Motor Company, enabling them to use the companys iconic blue-oval logo and other brand imagery.
Aside from all the nostalgia, Fords Garage is a good old fashioned burger and beer joint, too.
read more
Read Also: Learn Button On Chamberlain Garage Door Opener
Reviews For Ford’s Garage Ft Myers
Visited while on vacation in mid January 2022. Haven’t had time to review.Pros1. Food was delicious2. Atmosphere was fun3. Staff was attentive and pleasant even with how busy the place was4. An assortment of drinks especially Moscow Mule. Delicious.5. Iced bar topCon1. There would have been a very long wait, however, we were lucky and found 2 open seats at the bar and ordered and ate at the bar
Wow! Talk about amazing food! This place was some of the best food we had in Fort Myers! There BBQ was off the charts! Truly enjoyed the BBQ Mac and Cheese! Also loved the character to this place. Definitely very unique! Our bartender was very friendly and you could tell she enjoyed her job. Also, the ice bar at the bar was incredible!
Ford’s Garage Menu And Prices
| Greens |
| Add to any salad: Chicken $3.95, angus beef $5.95, shrimp $5.95, ahi tuna $6.95. Dressing selections: Sweet onion balsamic vinaigrette, bleu cheese, italian, smoky ranch, caesar strawberry vinaigrette, oil and vinegar, balsamic vinegar |
| Berries & Gorgonzola | Mixed greens, dried cranberries, fresh blueberries, candied walnuts, gorgonzola cheese, strawberry vinaigretteMORE | |
| 0 | $8.95 | Iceberg and romaine blend, hard boiled egg, tomato, aged sharp cheddar, bacon, chick peas, cucumber, red onion, smoky ranch dressingMORE |
| Romaine, caesar dressing, parmesan, croutonsMORE | ||
| Iceberg wedge, crumbled bleu cheese, applewood smoked bacon, red onion, tomato, bleu cheese dressingMORE | ||
| Grilled chicken, bacon, hard boiled eggs, tomato, cucumber, crumbled bleu cheese, choice of dressingMORE | ||
| 0 | $9.50 | Fresh baby spinach, red onion, pine nuts, hard boiled egg, applewood smoked bacon, mandarin oranges, sweet onion vinaigretteMORE |
| All burgers are served with iceberg lettuce, tomato, onion, fresh cut french fries and pickle |
| Served with fresh cut fries |
| Cavatappi pasta with aged sharp cheddar cheeseMORE |
| Pulled pork with bourbon BBQ sauce atop cavatappi pasta, with aged sharp cheddar cheese sauceMORE |
| 1/4 Pound maine lobster and aged sharp cheddar cheese sauce over cavatapi pastaMORE |
| Seasoned shrimp and chicken sauteed in cajun cream sauce, over cavatappi topped with scallionsMORE |
You May Like: Raynor Garage Door Opener Troubleshooting
Fords Garage Serving Up Burgers With A Side Of Automotive History
Armed with an exclusive licensing agreement with Ford Motor Company, Florida-based burger-and-craft-beer franchise plans to open at least 15 new restaurants nationwide by 2023
Tampa, FL Ford Motor Company has quite a rich history as one of Americas most important manufacturing companies. That history also translates to a pretty cool dining experience, it turns out, as Fords Garage is proving at its growing number of restaurants across the country.
The original Fords Garage opened up in Fort Myers, Florida back in 2012, less than a mile from Henry Fords winter home. In the years since, the budding burger-and-craft-beer franchise has expanded to include a total of 16 locations, including 14 in Florida and one each in Indiana and Michigan.
Most recently, Fords Garage announced plans to add at least 15 new restaurants nationwide by the end of next year. Development deals have already been signed for 11 of those restaurants across Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Texas.
Looking beyond 2022, the company plans to open 10-15 new locations annually.
Thats to start with, said brand president Steve Shlemon. Were proud of how far weve come along and excited about where were going. With our many Ford-inspired design cues and first-rate service, Fords Garage promises to continue to inspire additional locations all across the country.
Every aspect is branded, Shlemon said. Its lots and lots of fun for everybody.
About Fords Garage
Contact: