Southern Luv BBQ, the Tampa fast-casual barbecue shop based in Citrus Park, is getting ready to trade its solo act for a small local chain. The owners say the brand will open four new locations across Pinellas and Polk counties as part of a franchising push.
Franchise game plan: four spots, two counties
As reported Monday by Tampa Bay Business Journal, Southern Luv plans to launch four franchise locations across Pinellas and Polk counties. The report notes this as the brand's first move beyond its original Citrus Park storefront.
From Citrus Park counter to compact buildouts
The restaurant opened in Citrus Park in late 2024, according to Tampa Latest. Southern Luv's website highlights a menu centered on pulled pork, beef brisket and smoked sausage sandwiches, and on its franchise page promotes a "ventless/hoodless operation" and 600 600 61,000-square-foot buildouts, according to Southern Luv BBQ.
Why ventless kitchens matter
Industry coverage points out that hoodless, ventless systems can cut ventilation and construction costs, which helps operators wedge into food halls, airports and other tight retail spaces. As Nation's Restaurant News reported, brands using hoodless models can often scale faster because they rely on smaller buildouts and simpler operations.
What to watch
Initial coverage did not include firm opening dates or exact addresses for the four planned stores, per Tampa Bay Business Journal. City-level permit filings, lease announcements and franchisee disclosures will be the clearest indicators of where and when Southern Luv's new outlets will land.
The move signals another wave of small-footprint, fast-casual growth in the Tampa Bay market and adds a fresh name to the region's barbecue lineup. More details should surface as permit activity and local announcements start to roll out.
