From Whataburger’s long-awaited arrival to Just Salad’s two new Naples locations, Southwest Florida is welcoming some familiar names to its dining scene. And there are more on the way!
Southwest Florida’s restaurant scene is growing, and a handful of popular national chains are making some big moves in our area.
Whether you’ve been patiently waiting for your first Whataburger, looking for healthier lunch options, or counting down until your favorite burger joint opens closer to home, there’s plenty to be excited about.
Here’s a look at the national restaurant chains that have recently opened in Southwest Florida, plus a few more coming soon.
Whataburger Arrives in Southwest Florida, With Estero Opening October 22
The wait is officially over for Whataburger fans!
The Texas-born burger chain made its Southwest Florida debut on September 10, 2026, opening its first regional restaurant at 12916 S. Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers.
The opening drew quite a crowd, with fans lining up to get their hands on the chain’s famous oversized burgers, crispy fries, chicken sandwiches, and breakfast favorites.
And if Fort Myers is a little too far north for you, good news!
Whataburger’s second Southwest Florida location is scheduled to open Thursday, October 22, at 22927 Lyden Drive in Estero, directly across from Coconut Point Mall.
The Estero restaurant will occupy the former Pollo Tropical building and will officially begin serving customers at 11 a.m. on opening day, following a 10:30 a.m. ceremony.
They’re celebrating with giveaways, too!
The first two customers in line and the first two vehicles in the drive-thru will receive free Whataburger for a year, subject to first-time-winner eligibility. The first 80 customers in line and 20 vehicles in the drive-thru can also receive Whataburger merchandise bags, while supplies last.
The Fort Myers restaurant is open 24 hours a day, while the Estero location plans to operate daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. after opening day.
And Whataburger might not be finished expanding in Southwest Florida. A third regional restaurant is in the planning stages for 1470 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte, although an opening date has not been announced.
Just Salad Opens Two Naples Locations — With $5 Meals This Week!
For those who prefer a lighter lunch, another popular chain has officially made its Southwest Florida debut.
Just Salad opened not one, but two Naples restaurants in September!
The New York-based fast-casual chain, founded in 2006, has grown to more than 125 locations and built its following around customizable salads, wraps, warm grain bowls, and fresh ingredients.
The first Naples restaurant opened September 1 at 960 Immokalee Road, Suite 200, near the intersection of Immokalee Road and U.S. 41.
Just over two weeks later, on September 17, a second location opened at 1993 Tamiami Trail North, Unit 4A, near Coastland Center.
What makes Just Salad a little different from your typical fast-casual restaurant? Along with its customizable menu, the company emphasizes sustainability through its reusable bowl program, which rewards guests with a free topping when they reuse their bowls.
And here’s a deal worth knowing about!
To celebrate the new Tamiami Trail location, Just Salad is offering select chef-designed salads, wraps, warm bowls, and market plates for just $5 from October 15–17, 2026.
The promotion is available in-store only at the 1993 Tamiami Trail North location, with exclusions and restrictions.
Both Naples restaurants are open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
View Just Salad’s Grand Opening Specials
Shake Shack Expands in Naples, With Estero Next!
If you’re a Shake Shack fan, 2026 has been a pretty exciting year.
The beloved New York-based burger chain opened its first Southwest Florida restaurant at Mercato in North Naples in February.
Then, in September, it expanded with another Naples location at 6833 Collier Boulevard, in the Restaurant Row shopping center.
Unlike the Mercato restaurant, this location has a drive-thru, making it a convenient option for grabbing a ShackBurger, crinkle-cut fries, or one of the chain’s signature frozen custard shakes on the go.
And Estero residents have something to look forward to!
Shake Shack has also announced plans to open at Coconut Point in 2027, bringing the popular chain even closer to Bonita Springs and Estero.
An exact opening date hasn’t been announced yet.
7 Brew Coffee Is Growing in Fort Myers
Coffee lovers have another new option in Southwest Florida!
7 Brew, the rapidly expanding drive-thru coffee chain known for its customizable drinks and upbeat service, opened a new location at 9101 College Parkway in Fort Myers in late September.
The Arkansas-founded company has grown rapidly nationwide, offering everything from iced coffee and flavored lattes to energy drinks, teas, smoothies, and more.
The College Parkway location is the chain’s second in Southwest Florida.
And more are planned! Additional 7 Brew locations are in the works near Edison Mall in Fort Myers and in Punta Gorda.
Chick-fil-A Opens in Lehigh Acres, With Another Location Planned for Bonita Springs!
Lehigh Acres residents no longer have to leave town for their Chick-fil-A fix!
The popular chicken chain opened its first Lehigh Acres location on October 8, 2026, at 1110 Homestead Road North.
The new restaurant brought approximately 120 jobs to the community and celebrated its opening with a $25,000 donation to Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida.
The location is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
And Bonita Springs is next!
As we recently reported on SWFL.life, public permit records reveal plans for a Chick-fil-A at or near Midtown at Bonita, the massive mixed-use development taking shape along Bonita Beach Road, just east of I-75.
Even better for local families, the planned restaurant is expected to feature an indoor playground!
While the location has not yet been formally announced by Chick-fil-A or Midtown’s developers, the permit records offer an exciting glimpse at what could be joining the growing lineup of restaurants in the area.
An official opening date has not been announced.
Visit Chick-fil-A
Coming Soon: Rodizio Grill at Coastland Center in Naples
Another notable name is preparing to join the Naples dining scene.
Rodizio Grill, a Brazilian steakhouse chain, is planning a new restaurant at Coastland Center, at 2048 Tamiami Trail North in Naples.
The restaurant will bring its Brazilian-style dining experience to the former Aurelio’s Pizza space.
Guests can expect traditional Brazilian side dishes, a gourmet salad bar, and more than a dozen rotisserie-grilled meats served tableside by gauchos.
According to the restaurant’s official website, the Naples location is expected to open in 2026, although a specific opening date has not yet been announced.
Learn More About Rodizio Grill Naples
Southwest Florida’s Dining Scene Keeps Growing
From Texas-style burgers to build-your-own salads and specialty coffee, Southwest Florida residents have a lot of new options to explore.
And with more locations already planned for Estero, Fort Myers, Naples, and Port Charlotte, it doesn’t look like the expansion is slowing down just yet.
Of course, we love seeing our locally owned restaurants thrive, too. They’re what make Southwest Florida’s food scene so special! But it’s always fun when a national favorite finally makes its way to our corner of Florida.
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