Vapiano opening first Florida location in Fort Myers
European restaurant expanding in U.S.
SPECIAL TO FLORIDA WEEKLY

Vapiano, named the "Future of Fresh Casual" by Foodservice Europe recently signed its first lease in Fort Myers. Franchisee Konrad Woest and his family will open their first of multiple restaurants in the 1.6 million square foot Gulf Coast Town Center. Other restaurants in the Center include: P.F. Changs China Bistro, Outback Steakhouse, Blue Sushi and Bar Louie.

"The Gulf Coast Center is the perfect place for our first location and we have the best spot in the entire center," says Woest. "Vapiano is a very unique and exciting concept and I know will be well received here in Fort Myers."

The Fort Myers store is expected to open in June. Woest plans additional locations throughout Southwest Florida, including Tampa, Naples and Sarasota.

Vapiano has grown from a single unit to 30 locations open in only three years. Many of their restaurants can be found throughout Germany, in key European markets such as Zurich, Vienna, Istanbul, Budapest and now the United States. Vapiano has already opened three corporately owned restaurants in the greater Washington, D.C. area and plans to open three additional restaurants in the same area over the next few years to serve as the launching pad for an aggressive U.S. expansion.

Vapiano, the European restaurant specializing in fresh casual Italian food, was established in Germany five years ago. It became such a success due to its innovative self-service technology and upscale décor that the company quickly began to expand throughout the world. Restaurants are 5,000-8,000 square feet, seat 150 or so guests and have a blended check average of about $13.50 per guest.