Restaurant chains' Orlando growth bucks industry trends; Big land deals close in Lake County; Local bank acquired & more

Welcome to Orlando Business Journal's LinkedIn newsletter. I'm Associate Managing Editor Steven Ryzewski, rounding up business news to keep you in the know when time is short.

"The restaurant business [is awful]. We're here to change it."

So said Chris Smith, CEO of Savannah, Georgia-based Zunzi's, to OBJ's Sarah Kinbar when discussing the restaurant chain's expansion plans — which include 10 locations here in Central Florida.

Smith isn't alone among restaurant executives — including for chains based here like Jeff's Bagel Run and Keke's Breakfast Cafe, among others — who are looking at the woes of Red Lobster and TGI Fridays as teachable moments.

In this week's cover story, Kinbar dives into how restaurants are finding success by filling consumers' appetite for authentic experiences. Get the full story here.

Sign up for Orlando Business Journal's emails to get the latest business news for the metro Orlando area in your inbox twice a day. Already signed up and loving the work we do? Consider subscribing for less than $3 a week.

Real estate news of the week

• Two big land deals promising new development have closed recently in Lake County, including 122 acres in Leesburg sold to an Orlando developer, as well as another large property near The Villages sold to an out-of-state developer.
• Developers face hurdles as amendments limit rural expansion in Orange, Seminole
• Winter Garden mixed-use plans kickoff new corridor
• Winter Park OKs purchase of Fairbanks property with Soseki, Austin's Coffee
• Get the scoop on Central Florida's hottest housing markets and its top luxury markets

Orlando news bites

Don't miss these other top stories:

• Winter Park National Bank acquired by credit union from outside state
• Orlando Fringe arts group leaves its downtown theater
• Animal Kingdom upgrades and changes pushed into 2025
• Orlando sets target to start Camping World Stadium upgrades
• AdventHealth proposes 5-story medical office near upcoming Lake Nona hospital
• Orlando International Airport launches new logo, app as a part of rebrand

Restaurant and retail news & notes

Check out the latest news on popular local places to eat, drink, shop and be entertained:

• Gatlin Hall Brewing in Conway to be rebranded, relaunched by new operator
• Artisan cheesecake baker creates 95 flavors at new DeBary storefront
• I-Drive nightclub transforms for upscale dining concept (PHOTOS)
• New Daytona hotel brings ocean views, culinary innovation
• Chipotle expands with two new Central Florida locations

Photos: OBJ's Most Influential Leaders awards celebration

Executives and leaders from around Central Florida converged on the Florida Ballroom at Hilton Orlando Nov. 7 for Orlando Business Journal's Most Influential Leaders awards celebration.

The event shined a spotlight on professionals in the region who lead by example, put their teams first and, as a result, make lasting impacts.

For a full gallery from the event, go here.

Complete coverage of OBJ's 2024 Most Influential Leaders, including the full list and profiles of those honored, can be found here — as well as in the Nov. 8-14 print edition .

Nominate now for the OBJ awards programs!

• 2025 40 Under 40 Awards (deadline: Dec. 5, 2024)
• 2025 Women Who Mean Business (deadline: Dec. 20, 2024)
• 2025 Best Places to Work (deadline: April 4, 2025)

That's all for this week's top headlines, and thanks for supporting OBJ. This weekly round-up of Orlando business news was compiled by Steven Ryzewski, associate managing editor. Questions? Comments? Concerns? News tips? Send them to [email protected] .