Damian and Trina Mandola, founders and owners of Mandola’s Italian Kitchen LLC, and Paul Avery, CEO of Elevated Brands LLC, announced in a joint statement that existing and pending Florida locations of Mandola’s Italian Kitchen will now be under the complete ownership and operation of the Mandola family. Avery, the founder of Elevated Brands’ World of Beer brand, was 50 percent owner of the Florida Mandola’s locations until today.
“We have been welcomed so warmly by the Florida community,” said concept founder Chef Damian Mandola. “Our goal is to continue to bring our trademark Italian hospitality and quality to our Florida guests as we continue to expand Mandola’s.”
Damian, and his business partner and wife Trina, opened the first of four Texas Mandola’s Italian Kitchen locations in Austin in 2006 as the realization of a long-held dream to celebrate the beloved traditions and recipes of his family in Italy. The concept, often described as elevated fast casual, is known for its commitment to authenticity, fresh ingredients, attentive service, and welcoming family environments. The first location in Florida with Elevated Brands opened in the Riverview neighborhood of Tampa in 2021. Subsequent locations in Carrollwood and Oldsmar followed, with one in the Mandarin area of Jacksonville and one in Odessa slated to open their doors this summer. One in Orlando is still in development.
“We have been grateful to shepherd the expansion of this celebrated culinary brand in Florida through what has been a difficult time in the restaurant industry,” said Elevated Brands CEO Avery. “We look forward to having them continue to expand and share their Italian hospitality throughout Florida.”
Damian Mandola, well known for founding the immensely successful Carrabba’s restaurant brand, has authored several cookbooks and co-hosted the popular PBS cooking series, “Cucina Italia,” with his nephew Johnny Carrabba. The Florida locations of Mandola’s Italian Kitchen will join the four Texas locations located throughout the Austin metro. Damian and Trina Mandola also own the Tuscan inspired concept, Trattoria Lisina, on several acres outside of Austin in view of the rolling hill country in Driftwood, Texas.
News and information presented in this release has not been corroborated by WTWH Media LLC.
