Former NFL player opens Peach Cobbler Factory in Bradenton. ‘The smell meant I was home.’
A former NFL player has opened The Peach Cobbler Factory in Bradenton.
The popular dessert-themed restaurant chain with the slogan, “It’s a Southern Thang,” boasts more than 100 locations in 19 states and Washington D.C.
Bradenton resident Michael Lehan, who played six seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints as a defensive back, has opened the new restaurant at 629 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, according to a news release.
The grand opening is scheduled for Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with raffle prizes to commemorate the launch.
The Peach Cobbler Factory specializes in 12 different types of cobblers, cobbler shakes, banana puddings, Pudd-N-Shakes, cobbler cookies, brownies, cinnamon rolls, churro stix, Belgian waffles and beverages.
Why former NFL player is bringing a sweet spot to Bradenton
Lehan spent time in foster care and was adopted. He did not meet his biological father until after his freshman year of college, the release said. A core memory from that time inspired Lehan to open the new Bradenton restaurant.
“Every time he visited his biological father, he would have a peach cobbler waiting for him as soon as he walked in the door,” the news release said.
“The smell meant I was home. A man of few words, his love language was an act of service — and that cobbler was his way of saying, ‘I love you,’” Lehan said in the release.
Lehan’s father, Melvin, died a few years after they met.
“As we open our doors, we offer love in the form of service, hoping to bring a little sweetness and maybe even a touch of peace,” Lehan said. “I am thrilled to open The Peach Cobbler Factory Bradenton and share this full-circle moment with our community.”
Michael Lehan’s career before cobbler
A Minnesota native, Lehan played at the University of Minnesota before his NFL career.
After retiring, Lehan delved into the education world in multiple roles for Osseo Area Schools in Minnesota, including high school principal. He also served as the senior vice president, head of school at IMG Academy before becoming the district vice president for the Fusion Education Group.
Lehan is a two-time Minnesota High School Principal of the Year award winner.
The Peach Cobbler Factory hours
The Peach Cobbler Factory Bradenton is already welcoming diners with soft opening hours of 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Beginning Saturday, the restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Lehan plans to open additional locations in Manatee County, the news release said.
The Peach Cobbler Factory began in 2013, according to company history.
For more information visit PeachCobblerFactory.com.
This story was originally published January 7, 2025 at 5:50 AM.
