Mr. Empanada to open first Pinellas restaurant | Business

St. Petersburg, Florida -- A Bay area restaurant chain with a half dozen Tampa-area locations is expanding into Pinellas. Mr. Empanada will start creating their stuffed turnovers at a 4th Street location later this summer.

"We are in the process of permitting and build-out and doing it as a company store until we can get a franchise interest for the location," Mr. Empanada Spokeswoman Audrey Perez said. "We are using this location to re-vamp our look, as well as bring in some new menu items so this brings about even more excitement for our Brand."

The store will incorporate some earthy tones for the decor, and the company has hired Matt Cutler from Two Men and a Truck to help get the brand re-energized and get over the slow economy.