If you love pink flamingo sauce, Cajun fries, and burgers stuffed between deep-fried tostones "buns," there's good news for you: Miami-born Pincho Factory is headed to Fort Lauderdale.
Launched on a shoestring budget in Westchester, Florida, today Pincho Factory has become a homegrown fast-casual success story of cousins and founders Nedal Ahmad, Otto Othman, and Nizar Ahmad. In the six years since Pincho Factory opened the doors to its first location, the business partners have won numerous accolades while developing a cult-like following for their menu featuring creative burgers, kebabs (or pinchos), salads, build-your-own bowls, fries, and the brand's own locally-brewed 627 Ale.
The brand currently has five Florida locations including both corporate and franchise-owned stores. The first Broward County Pinch Factory opened in January in Pembroke Pines, and more are on the way.
Last year, following their Burger Bash win at the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival, the team opened to the concept to franchise. Now, on the heels of a Fastcasual.com award, Pincho Factory is preparing to launch five additional stores with a new franchise partner: professional athlete and restaurateur Jonathan Vilma.
Of the hundreds of restaurants to be featured during the recent May 20 Fast Casual Top 100 awards dinner in Chicago, Pincho Factory was awarded 11th place among the top 100 fast casual concepts in the nation.
"We are honored. To be ranked 11th amongst the likes of Shake Shack, Blaze Pizza, and hundreds of other stores is definitely a sign of where our brand is headed," says Othman. “This year has been a big [one] for us and we’re excited about what's to come."
Specifically, that means more stores at several upcoming locations with Vilma, a longtime fan of the Pincho Factory brand. The former NFL star and Coral Gables native has signed a five-store deal for new franchise locations in Aventura, Miami Beach, Midtown Miami, and Fort Lauderdale. Exact sites have not been released.
Pincho Factory is located at 155 N. Hiatus Road, Pembroke Pines. Call 754-888-9746, or visit pinchofactory.com.
Nicole Danna is a food writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on the BPB New Times Food & Drink Instagram.