LAND O’ LAKES — In 13 years, the landscape has changed.
As the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Sunlake was one of the first restaurant options in that budding area more than a decade ago, nearby residents were happy with wings and sports in a family-friendly atmosphere.
But, as has most of Central Pasco, the area developed and grew with more people and dining options. So FSC Franchise Co. — the parent company that owns 30 local Beef’s — decided to make a change.
That change has brought a Brass Tap to Land O’ Lakes.
“There’s nothing out here like a Brass Tap,” FSC chief executive Chris Elliott told the Land O’ Lakes Beacon. “When we first moved out here, (Beef’s was) the only thing out here and now with the competition that is around us, it really called for something else that wasn’t a Beef’s or things now that take the market share from a Beef’s.
“It just felt like it was a good business decision given the way (this area) and population and competition has changed, and that Brass Tap has a better chance of being more successful than a Beef’s now.”
Beef’s closed its doors Aug. 15 and spent about 10 days in renovation before a ribbon-cutting weekend ceremony that began Aug. 29. The interior was redone, as were the bar areas, the AV setup and signage. Elliott said the redesign is Brass Tap Model 4.0, which was also recently installed at its sister location in Carrollwood at 10047 N. Dale Mabry Highway.
“This is the Brass Tap of the future,” Elliott said. “Softer seating, lighter color palettes and the tap wall has been expanded to include more domestic and imports, while the menu has also been enhanced.
“It was really about being more adult-oriented,” he added. “Think about it: the people who were coming here 13 years ago are now all grown up and now there is a whole different generation of customers and others who have moved in. When you have multiple brands like we do, we have the opportunity to do this occasionally — to switch out when we feel one brand is better suited for the neighborhood.
“This neighborhood was begging for a Brass Tap.”
FSC franchises out three brands: Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, Brass Tap and Newk’s, a casual eatery that offers salads, pizzas and sandwiches.
As a corporation, it has yet to identify, if at all, another Beef’s to switch to Brass Tap. However, Elliott said they are revamping its Beef’s brand and introducing a new model: Beef’s 5.0.
Soon, that model will be installed at the Wilderness Lake Preserve Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, located at 7040 Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, across the street from Land O’ Lakes High.
“For those still craving the Beef’s food and family friendly atmosphere, we’ll still be there in Wilderness Lake,” Elliott said. “And the future version of Beef’s is coming to that one and it’ll include menu and decor tweaks and a family arcade.
“In our business,” he added, “it’s always what’s next, and Beef’s has changed a lot over the years, and that has to happen with it, and Brass Tap, to stay relevant.”
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Mike Camunas is a staff writer for the Tampa Beacon. He can be reached at mcamunas@tampabeacon.com.
