Feature Story and Photos by Larry H. Oskin
Fazoli’s celebrated its grand opening on March 16, a beautiful sunny day in Clermont. South Lake Chamber of Commerce president Dave Colby and the Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors kicked off the opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Fast, Fresh Italian: The Fazoli’s oven-baked dishes and Primo Submarinos are freshly made and never baked until you order. Dishes are made with 100% real mozzarella and provolone cheeses, fresh vine-ripened tomatoes in their authentic Fazoli’s marinara sauce, plus garden vegetables. They proudly boast, “Our food isn’t ‘fast food’. It’s fast, fresh, Italian!”
Complete Menu: Some of Fazoli’s many family-style meals include baked spaghetti, spaghetti with marinara sauce or meat sauce, baked spaghetti with meatballs, baked lasagna, fettuccine alfredo, baked ziti, penne pasta with marinara or meat sauce, chicken fettuccine alfredo, and spaghetti with meatballs. Their snacks and shareables include baked Italian meatballs, a chicken parm breadstick slider, pepperoni pizza breadsticks, and a smashed meatball breadstick slider. Their specialty oven-baked dishes include Chicken Broccoli Penne, Spicy Baked Ziti with Chicken, Spicy Baked Ziti with Sausage, and Chicken Parmigiano. They also offer a series of Pasta Samplers. They offer a full menu of cheese and pepperoni pizzas as well as flatbread pizzas. Their Wingville section offers you a variety of traditional boneless wings. There is a complete self-serve soda section. They offer endless free breadsticks with each menu order. For dessert, you can try their Cinnamon Swirl Breadstick Bites or cookies.
Restaurant Amenities include drive-thru, take-out, online takeout ordering, delivery services, gift cards, gluten-free and vegetarian options, a kid’s menu, special kid’s nights, lunch specials, outdoor patio seating, a loyalty rewards app, an email discount club, menu calorie counts, handicap accessible accommodations, comfortable seating, great service, masks, gloves, happy staff, and safe social distancing protocols. They offer catering anytime, anywhere and for any Occasion. Just call 352-404-7199 to place your order!
Fazoli’s Rewards Program: You can get special coupons, discounts, and promotional offers by downloading their free Fazoli’s app. With Fazoli’s Rewards point system, earning rewards is easy. You will earn one point for every dollar spent in the restaurant or online and you can redeem points on your Fazoli’s favorites.
Top Quality Ownership & Management: Owner Matt Clift tried to acquire a Fazoli’s franchise when he retired in 2013, yet they were not ready to open Florida at that time. Clift is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. Married to his wife Connie for 42 years, they have two adult children and 3 grandchildren. Brian Hall has been hired as the General Manager. He has helped to hire and train the staff, with help from the Fazoli’s corporate team who came here from Kentucky. Hall was formerly the Director of Operations for Davgar Honest Johns Whiskey Restaurant in The Villages. Derrick Clemmons is the Assistant General Manager.
Commitment to Community Service: Brian Hall has already been working with numerous community groups. They have entertained complimentary meals for the Clermont Police and Fire Departments; the East Ridge and South Lake School Teachers and staff, Minneola Charter School; the Lake City Police and Fire Departments as well as welcoming meals for many of their neighboring businesses. They plan to get very involved in the local community with marketing, promotional, special event, and catering opportunities.
The Fazoli’s brand was created in 1988 by Jerrico, Inc, a multi-brand restaurant group based in Lexington, KY, and then parent company of Long John Silver’s restaurants. Two years and five founding restaurants later, the original Italian fast-food concept was sold to Seed Restaurant Group, Inc. Fazoli’s first restaurants started in Lexington, where Matt Clift and his family first enjoyed dining there. Today, Fazoli’s is one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains with Clermont being their 211th location. Owner Matt Clift has the franchise rights to open two more locations here in Central Florida. With a staff of 65 people trained to offer you top-quality foods and services, there are still some new employment opportunities here in Clermont.
Fazoli’s is now fully open and located at 1913 South Highway 27, Clermont, FL 34711, just south of Highway 50. They are conveniently open at 10:30 AM, 7 days a week. For more information, call 352-404-7199 or visit: https://locations.fazolis.com/fl/clermont/1913-us-27.html and https://www.facebook.com/FazolisClermontFL/.
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