Habit Burger Grill Heats Up Growth In Tampa Bay

With more than 25 years of experience across industries including restaurants, legal services and IT as well as a portfolio made up of nine restaurant concepts, Garnett is embarking on development plans to raise the game on cooked-to-order burgers in Hillsborough County in the Tampa Bay market. The Habit Burger Grill chargrills over an open flame and offers a variety of additional menu items handcrafted to order.

“To say that I am excited about the opportunity to partner with The Habit Burger Grill is an understatement,” said Garnett. “I believe in this brand; the quality of its food product and its focus on company culture are one of a kind. In my experience, being in the restaurant industry is all about building relationships with people centered around food. The Habit Burger Grill does an outstanding job of surrounding you with good people, high-quality food options and the systems to deliver a consistent experience.

“I like to operate based on my company’s core values, which I call the ‘4 Ws: We Care, We Listen, We Innovate and We Deliver,’ and through this brand partnership I am able to go above and beyond on all of these to create the best overall dining experience,” he said.

Backed by established parent company, Yum! Brands, The Habit offers diverse menu offerings, technology-driven operations and an all-access digital customer experience. Plus, the brand’s flexible footprint provides entrepreneurs with a range of real estate models fit for any market.

“We are excited to make our debut in the Tampa Bay area with a strong and skilled operator like Karnardo,” said Russ Bendel, CEO of The Habit Burger Grill. “His belief in our brand on top of his vast industry experience will set us up for success to grow throughout the state of Florida and flourish.”

Since its inception in 1969, The Habit’s trend-forward product innovation sets it apart from competitors in the fast-casual space with fresh salads, handcrafted sandwiches and a unique take on classic sides such as tempura green beans, sweet potato and french fries, and onion rings.

The offerings also incorporate entrees featuring line-caught, sushi-grade ahi tuna, fresh chicken and grilled tenderloin steak.

The Habit Burger Grill has more than 320 restaurants in 14 states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia and Washington as well as 12 international locations, seven in China and five in Cambodia.