PDQ restaurant partly owned by Tebow planned for SR 200 in Ocala

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Tim Tebow, a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback for the University of Florida Gators, is trying his hand in the restaurant business. He is part owner of a new PDQ opening up on SR 200 in Ocala. The restaurant plans to open in the late spring or early summer.

By Rick Allen | Staff writer
 

The building that housed the short-lived House of Japan sushi and Japanese steakhouse on Southwest College Road is giving way to chicken and turkey – and Tim Tebow.

According to a site proposal filed with the city of Ocala this week, a new quick service chain known as PDQ – short for “People Dedicated to Quality” – is coming to that spot at 3410 SW College Road.

Under the plan, the existing building that was a Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon until 2008 will be demolished with a gleaming new building taking its place. A late spring or early summer opening is expected.

Tebow, a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback for the University of Florida Gators and former NFL quarterback with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets, is one of the investors in this Ocala location, a spokesman for the chain confirmed Thursday. Tebow also is an investor in the Jacksonville unit.

Vinny Testaverde, a fellow Heisman Trophy-winner with the University of Miami Hurricanes and an NFL signal caller for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and six other NFL teams, also is part of the ownership group with Tebow here and in Jacksonville.

Based in Tampa, PDQ was developed nearly four years ago by Outback Steakhouse co-founder Bob Basham and Nick Reader, a one-time executive with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's considered one of the fastest growing quick-service chains by the food industry and business press. Basham and Reader opened the first PDQ on Oct. 30, 2011 near Plant High School in Tampa.



http://www.gainesville.com/article/20131205/articles/131209788

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Virginia MacKoul

Virginia is a graduate from the University of Florida's College of Design Construction and Planning with a degree in Sustainability and the Built Environment, and a minor in Urban Regional Planning. Virginia joined the Front Street team in 2011, as an intern. Upon graduation, Virginia joined the Front Street team full-time as the Director of Client Services. Ms. MacKoul’s addition furthers Front Street’s continued growth and expansion within Gainesville and other North Central Florida markets. She was promoted to Director of Marketing in 2014 and now manages the firm’s team of interns and oversees all marketing and branding activity. Virginia was born in Boston and moved to Lee County, Florida in 1997. Virginia graduated her high school's International Baccalaureate program and started at the University of Florida with a focus on Architecture. Virginia shares Front Street's passion of giving back to the community and those in need. Virginia's hobbies include photography, cooking, football, movies, music, and spending time with her dog, Brinkley.

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