Described as a sophisticated Texas-style smokehouse, 4 Rivers Smokehouse was launched in late 2009 in Winter Park, Florida by John Rivers after a two-decade career in the pharmaceutical industry.  The first of the casual restaurants was quickly followed with the introduction of a line of sauces and rubs available to the consumer along with mail order brisket and other 4 Rivers specialties. With the most recent opening in Gainsville, Florida in 2013, the chain consists of five locations in Florida.  Most of the restaurants incorporate The Sweet Shop, an in-house bakery supplying pastries, desserts, ice creams, etc.  Another 4 Rivers Smokehouse is expected to open in Spring 2014 at 11850 University Blvd. in east Orlando.  A second unit is also planned for the Jacksonville market but the timing has not been announced. In addition to the 4 Rivers Smokehouse concept, the company is about to launch a new concept.  The COOP is designed as a quick casual neighborhood restaurant featuring a Southern home-style menu featuring fried chicken and Southern comfort dishes.  The first COOP restaurant will open by Spring, 2014 at Morse Blvd. and Pennsylvania Ave. in Winter Park in Central Florida.  The company is currently seeking staff for the new concept.

CATEGORY:   Full Service Casual

Chain Name:  4 Rivers Smokehouse

Company Name:  4 R Restaurant Group LLC

Street Address:     228 Park Ave. North, Winter Park, Florida 32789

Tel:    407/474-8377                                 Fax: 321/972-5641

Email:                                                                                   Website:    www.4rsmokehouse.com

Menu Specialty:  Texas-style smoked ribs, brisket, pork, chicken and sandwiches, salads, homestyle sides, desserts, etc.

Introduced:  October 2009 by chef and author John Rivers in Winter Park, Florida

No. of Locations:  Currently five in Florida (Winter Park, Winter Garden, Longwood, Jacksonville, Gainsville) and openings planned for Orlando and Jacksonville.

Areas of Operation:  Florida

Types of Location:

BusinessType (corp., franchise, jv):   Corporate

Size Req’d:

Special Requirements (patio, drive-thru, etc):

Contact Name:  John Rivers - Owner

REAL ESTATE REPRESENTATIVES:

FRANCHISE REPRESENTATIVES:

PARENT COMPANY:   4 R Restaurant Group LLC, Winter Park, Florida

Related Chains:  The COOP

Last Report:    Restaurant & QSR Expansion Report #109     Last Update:

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