Ciccio Restaurant Group Enters Partnership With Covelli Family Limited Partnership

TAMPA, Fla., April 11, 2017 -- Following the success and recent expansion of Fresh Kitchen (FK), a quick-service, build-your-own-bowl concept, FK has entered a joint venture partnership with Covelli Family Limited Partnership (CFLP) a franchisee of Panera LLC. CFLP owns and operates 77 Panera Bread locations in Tampa, Orlando and along the East Coast of Florida.  In the coming months, CFLP will team up with FK to open Fresh Kitchen locations across Florida. The partnership announcement comes just as Fresh Kitchen made its debut in South Florida, with their Boca Raton location which opened in late March.

Build your own bowl with hormone and antibiotic free grilled meats, fresh roasted vegetables, flavorful toppings, and homemade sauces. The menu changes with the seasons and is 100% gluten free.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/25d2fa6f-718a-4fd5-823a-5701de3a52b8

Fresh Kitchen invites guests to build their own chef-inspired bowls as fast as they can point. At FK, guests are presented with a diverse array of unique and seasonal bowl ingredients, all made from scratch and fresh-to-order. Offerings include mixed greens, sweet potato noodles, roasted veggies, hormone & antibiotic-free grilled meats, fresh seafood, home-made sauces, flavorful add-ons, fresh-brewed teas, and cane sugar craft sodas. Their entire menu, from start to finish, is 100% gluten free, with vegan options available.

CFLP is no stranger to the quick-service game, as they are a part of the largest franchisee of Panera Bread stores nationwide. Both CFLP and FK remain fully committed to creating innovative menu options, attracting great people, and going above and beyond guest expectations. “We will continue to focus on growing organically through our people, in order to maintain our beautiful culture, food and overall experience,” states Matt Lanza, partner of Fresh Kitchen. Both companies have established themselves as active community partners, as evidenced by their expansion into new cities across the Southwest and beyond.

Fresh Kitchen Boca Raton was the first to open under the newly formed partnership with CFLP. Kevin Ricci, owner of CFLP, will join Fresh Kitchen’s board of directors. Next on deck will be an FK location in the Waterford Lakes Town Center in Orlando, FL. “We’re excited about the opportunity to grow our brand with such an established group like CFLP. They bring a level of expertise in both operations and real estate development, that when paired with our passion for food, will really create a strong team,” shares Steven Lanza, partner of Fresh Kitchen.

"There is a strong synergy between FK and CFLP. We are thrilled to be teaming up to expand the FK footprint throughout Florida. Our guests will be the real winners of this partnership as we intend to grow the FK concept together and offer an unparalleled experience," adds Ricci. CFLP is also well known for their philanthropic efforts. In 2016, CFLP donated $8.4M through food and monetary donations to local food banks and non-profit organizations. Sharing this vision of community empowerment, Fresh Kitchen has aligned themselves, from the beginning, with charitable partners and gives back through community events and catering donations.

More information can be found by visiting Fresh Kitchen online at www.eatfreshkitchen.com, or by following @EatFreshKitchen on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For additional information on CFLP, visit www.paneraflorida.com.

About Ciccio Restaurant Group:
Ciccio Restaurant Group (CRG) was founded over 25 years ago in New York City. The healthy mindset and beautiful weather drew the founders to the Florida coast in 1996. CRG currently owns and operates 13 different restaurants under the Better Byrd, Ciccio Water, Ciccio Cali, Daily Eats, Fresh Kitchen, Green Lemon, and The Lodge brand names.

About Covelli Family Limited Partnership:
Covelli Family Limited Partnership (CFLP) is an entity of Covelli Enterprises, the largest franchisee of Panera Bread.   CFLP currently owns and operates 77 locations in Tampa Bay, Orlando, and along the East Coast of Florida.  Albert M. Covelli founded Covelli Enterprises 58 years ago and established CFLP in 1998.  Carrying on the family legacy, CFLP is owned by Covelli’s daughter and son-in-law, Annette & Gavin Ford; and grandson Kevin Ricci.  As a leader in the fast casual segment, CFLP is known for setting consumer trends and elevating industry standards.

MEDIA CONTACT: 
Tara O’Neill
CRG- Brand Director
[email protected]