Giardino Gourmet Salads, the premier fast-casual salad concept of South Florida, announces big success for its Miami Lakes location—the first restaurant to feature the company’s new image and new operational layout. Exactly one year from its launch in 2014, the restaurant hit $1 million in gross sales.
Giardino Miami Lakes is owned and operated by Giardino veterans, Jaime Mitrani and Robert Fuerth, who also own Giardino South Miami and Giardino Kendall. The team signed on the help of another partner, Lilly Tudela, in 2014, who is responsible for implementing the new operations in the restaurant.
“My time with Giardino has been the most rewarding venture I’ve ever undertaken,” Tudela says. “The hard work that my partners and I have vested into our first year of operations, combined with the differentiating strengths of the brand, have more than paid off and we look forward to even brighter future.”
The brand has transitioned their image into a contemporary rustic ambience and implemented a new system for their line that has increased speed of service and maximized the guest experience, which has always been paramount for the brand. These shifts in operations coupled with extensive training have allowed the restaurant owners to grow more quickly within the concept.
“Jaime, Rob, and Lilly’s efforts are a true testament to the potential of this brand for entrepreneurs looking to get into the restaurant business,” says Julio Ramirez, board member and former executive vice president of global operations for Burger King Corporation. “The return on investment for this concept makes it viable for outside investors looking to grow with our brand and take it to the next level.”
Over 10 years, Giardino has grown to 11 restaurants in various areas of Dade and Broward counties, Florida: Blue Lagoon, Brickell, Coral Gables, Doral, Downtown Miami, Kendall, Miramar, South Miami, Miami Lakes, Palmetto Bay, and Weston. Looking forward, the concept expands to Downtown Doral and Sunrise, Florida, and Nashville, Tennessee.
