Metro Diner is quickly expanding and making its mark on comfort food with the celebration of its 50th diner in Sarasota, Florida, on March 13. Known for adding flair to an extensive menu of traditional diner dishes, each location is recognized as the place where the locals eat. With its rapid expansion, Metro Diner is making sure that guests do not have to go far to discover fresh made-from-scratch indulgent dishes, prepared with the highest quality ingredients.
The 50th Metro Diner will be located at 6056 N. Lockwood Ridge Rd., with more than 35 additional diners planned in 13 states in 2018. The company is on track for continued growth over the next few years, bringing its family dining experience to new guests across the U.S.
“I’m dedicated to defining Metro Diner as the total family dining experience, as family is the core of the company’s business operations,” says Mark Davoli who co-founded Metro Diner with his father, John Sr. and his brother John Jr. “With my partners Chris Sullivan, a founder of Outback Steakhouse, Hugh Connerty, Jr. and Carl Sahlsten—we made fun, family and exciting the words to live by at Metro Diner and are dedicating our attention to growth.”
Established in 1992 by the Davoli family with a single eatery in Jacksonville, Metro Diner is among the nation’s fastest growing family dining concepts. The diner gained popularity with its warm, welcoming service, large portion sizes and indulgent comfort food. Just ask Guy Fieri who featured the diner in an episode of Diners, Drive-In’s, and Dives. The diner offers great value with most dishes priced under $15, and each location is designed to make guests feel at home while enjoying all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“Metro Diner is a company of diners, each one individually owned in their communities that follow the ‘family first’ values established by our founding family, the Davoli’s,” says Hugh Connerty, Jr., Co-Chairman of Metro Diner. “As we celebrate the opening of our 50th diner, we are truly excited about the way our thousands of guests have embraced the passion and commitment we have to serving them—every day—The Metro Diner Way. This is the first of many significant milestones we hope to celebrate in the coming years as we bring the unique hospitality of Metro Diner across America.”
Metro Diner is focused on expanding the company’s reach across the country. Already a favorite in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia, this year, the company will open its first locations in New Jersey, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and South Carolina. In addition to offering its mouth-watering menu and friendly service to new communities, Metro Diner is creating 3,700 new jobs, including more than 150 new management positions nationwide in 2018.
“Our family at Metro Diner is very proud and excited about achieving this milestone,” says Chris Sullivan, co-chairman of Metro Diner. “We are passionate about our guest experiences and appreciate the positive responses and support around the excellent food, service and value provided.”
Metro Diner’s made-from-scratch menu includes signature dishes such as Fried Chicken & Waffles, Charleston Shrimp & Grits and their famous Meatloaf Plate. Daily blackboard specials indulge the taste buds with new twists on traditional dishes, including gluten-friendly options. Guests are invited to sip on beer, wine, Mimosas and Bloody Marys at most locations.
