Operations
Photo: Fresh Kitchen
July 8, 2025
Fresh Kitchen, a fast casual restaurant chain specializing in customizable, healthy bowls, is opening its largest location next year in South Tampa at 1719 W. Kennedy Blvd., taking over the former Ducky’s Sports Lounge space.
The announcement follows a fire in July 2024 that destroyed Fresh Kitchen’s original South Howard location, just shy of its 10th anniversary. The site, roughly 1.5 miles from the original, is double the size of a typical Fresh Kitchen and is intended to serve as a hub for innovation and growth for the Tampa-based brand.
“We’ve always felt deeply connected to our Tampa community, and the support and love we received after the fire only strengthened that bond,” Tara O’Neill, president at Fresh Kitchen, said in a company press release. “This new location is our way of giving back that love by creating an even better hub for our Fresh Kitchen fans and future team members. This new location is going to be something really special.”
The 4,000-square-foot location will allow Fresh Kitchen to test ideas, expand its menu and evolve the customer experience while maintaining its core offerings. The company aims to open “50 remarkable restaurants that create opportunities for humans and embody their commitment to excellence” over the next decade.
Founded in Tampa in 2014, Fresh Kitchen has expanded to 16 locations across Florida. The chain is known for its 100% gluten-free menu, featuring scratch-made, chef-inspired bowls with roasted vegetables, nutrient-rich bases, hormone- and antibiotic-free grilled meats, responsibly sourced salmon and house-made sauces. All dishes are cooked with 100% olive oil.
