Restaurateur Steve Heil is planning a mid-July opening for the first Springfield franchise location of Dallas-based Mexican food chain Cantina Laredo. This month, the Italian restaurant veteran also is launching Florentina's, a venture licensed from a Branson company.
Cantina LaredoHeil is developing the Mexican eatery at the former site of Springfield Pasta Co., 4109 S. National Ave., a restructured restaurant born after
Heil's split from Italian cuisine franchise Pasta House Co. of St. Louis. Heil let his 25-year contract with Pasta House run out in January 2011, and Springfield Pasta Co. closed Jan. 13, he said.
"We've been following their success down in Branson," Heil said of the closest Cantina Laredo franchise at Branson Landing. "It's a phenomenal concept I felt would really be embraced by Springfield."
Heil said the Cantina Laredo franchise fee is $50,000 per restaurant, plus a 5 percent royalty fee. He noted he has the franchise rights for all of Springfield, but has no current plans to open a second location.
The former Springfield Pasta Co. restaurant - a 6,100-square-foot building owned by Heil - is undergoing exterior and interior renovations by general contractor George Hensley of Construction Processing Co.
Heil said the restaurant would employ 100, and he would begin the hiring process in about two months.
Florentina'sThough Heil has severed ties with Springfield Pasta Co., he is sticking to his Italian eatery roots with a scheduled Jan. 21 opening of Florentina's at Battlefield Marketplace.
"After 28 years, it's nothing negative on Springfield Pasta Co. It was just the opportunity to do a Florentina's got me excited about that concept, so I decided to make the switch," Heil said.
Heil received licensing rights to open the Florentina's eatery from Paul and Ann Bluto's ITEC Attractions Inc., a company that operates several ventures in Branson, including an IMAX theater and two Montana Mike's restaurants. The Branson location of
Florentina's is located at 2690 Green Mountain Drive.
Heil signed a long-term lease at an undisclosed rate from Magers Enterprises to occupy the former Quincy Magoo's at Battlefield Marketplace, 900 E. Battlefield Road. He said the 6,900-square-foot restaurant employs 50, including 30 brought over from Springfield Pasta Co., under General Manager Todd Kuhnert.[[In-content Ad]]
