Tom + Chee, formerly featured on ABC's Shark Tank, opens in University Park

UNIVERSITY PARK -- Bradenton-Sarasota residents don't need cold weather to enjoy grilled cheese and tomato soup, especially because Tom + Chee crafted a sandwich just for Southwest Florida.

The Cubano, loosely based on the traditional Cuban sandwich, has pork loin, ham, mayonnaise, Swiss cheese, pickles and a sweet, hot mustard made in-house at the new Tom + Chee location at 5231 University Parkway. The sandwich is on white bread and isn't pressed like traditional Cuban sandwiches are.

Tom + Chee is one of more than 60 food establishments and restaurants licensed in Manatee County in 2015.

Bringing unique flavors like the Cubano and other unexpected grilled cheese combinations are franchisee Dave Williams' goal. He used to work for Checkers as a corporate trainer and always wanted to branch out on his own. Williams, 48, spent some time searching for the right brand that "you really feel."

"I first saw the brand on Shark Tank," Williams said. The company began in a tent on Cincinnati's Fountain Square in 2009 and through Shark Tank exposure and an investment deal from the show the company is now approaching two dozen franchises across the U.S.

Founders Trew Quackenbush and Corey Ward said after appearing on Shark Tank they received more than 9,000 requests from all over the world for franchise information. Williams was one of the more than 9,000 who "fell in love with the food and culture." According to the Tom + Chee website, Quackenbush and Ward wanted to serve "simple, comforting and affordable" food.

The fresh food quality at Tom + Chee attracted Williams initially. The company uses no freezers, microwaves or fryers. Soups are made daily at each location, Williams said, and chicken, turkey and beef are roasted in-house as well. In the end, though, the creativity of the brand and attitude about food made him want to pursue the opportunity.

"It's grilled cheese for the kid at heart," Williams said. "We eat what's fun."

Vegetarians, vegans and those with gluten sensitivities can have fun at Tom + Chee, too. The Hippy Chee is one of the restaurant's "fancy" grilled cheese sandwiches. It has Tom + Chee's house-made hummus, cumcumber, mixed greens, diced tomato, cheddar cheese and is served on wheat berry bread.

Jonathan Desouza, a Bradenton resident, tried the Hippy Chee during his first visit to Tom + Chee on Wednesday. He enjoyed the simplicity of the restaurant's concept and how they stretch boundaries.

"Mine's almost sacrilegious but it's good," Desouza said of the Hippy Chee. "It's the trickiest looking sandwich on the menu."

Meagan Keeley, Desouza's lunch companion, enjoyed the Grilled Mac & Chee and said Tom + Chee has combinations "you wouldn't think of."

"They definitely go above and beyond," Keeley said. She'd heard good reviews from coworkers and said her experience was enhanced when Williams stopped by and talked to them for a while. "He's very down-to-earth," she said. Keeley lives in Ellenton and said she'd make the drive to eat at Tom + Chee in the future.

Jean Carroll, a Sarasota resident, works at the nearby Home Depot and said she heard about Tom + Chee by way of regularly visiting Jason's Deli next door. On Tuesday morning she was headed to McDonald's when she saw Tom + Chee was open and changed course. Originally from Boston, Carroll had never heard of a restaurant focused on the cold-weather favorite combination.

"I love tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches," Carroll said. She described her BLT + Chee as "excellent, with lots of bacon, tomato and lettuce. It's a full sandwich." Carroll said she eagerly anticipated the restaurant's open, which has been in the works for more than a year.

Negotiations to acquire and build out the 2,800 square-foot space began in August 2014, Williams said. The restaurant can seat 92 people and currently employs 28 locals. Williams hopes to hire about seven more people and the location passed its state-required health inspection on Dec. 17.

Williams sees himself enjoying Tom + Chee's growth in Sarasota in the long run partially because the brand fits his personality so well.

"I have always told my wife, 'I'll be a kid forever,' and she agrees," Williams said.

He plans to host a grand opening in late January.

Janelle O'Dea, business reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7095 or follow her on Twitter@jayohday.

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 4:50 PM with the headline "Tom + Chee, formerly featured on ABC's Shark Tank, opens in University Park ."