---
title: "Barberitos Expands in Florida with 7-Unit Development Agreement"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/355bf546-766c-4f00-873c-e4f0e67b427e
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20250529_barberitos_expands_in_florida_with_7unit_development_agreement.html
category: "Mexican"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Mexican"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2025-05-29T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T17:40:48.516Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1504674900247-0877df9cc836?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Barberitos Expands in Florida with 7-Unit Development Agreement

**TL;DR:** Barberitos has signed a 7-unit development agreement to grow in the Tampa/St. Pete market, led by Matt O'Neill, a Tampa Bay native and experienced restaurant operator. O'Neill opened his first Barberitos in Tampa in 2024 and is accelerating the brand's growth across the market.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2025-05-29. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20250529_barberitos_expands_in_florida_with_7unit_development_agreement.html).*

## Story

Barberitos has signed a 7-unit development agreement to grow in the Tampa/St. Pete market.

Leading this expansion is Matt O'Neill, a Tampa Bay native and experienced restaurant operator and entrepreneur. In 2024, he opened his first Barberitos in Tampa – the second location in the state. With a second location underway and a new agreement signed to develop seven more, O’Neill is accelerating Barberitos’ growth across the Tampa/St. Pete market.

“I visited a Barberitos more than a decade ago and saw the potential for the concept in Tampa,” said O’Neill. “Tampa Bay is one of Florida’s most promising growth markets, and I’m confident it’s the right place to scale the brand.”

O'Neill brings vast experience in restaurant operations. He developed his own restaurant concept and held corporate roles at Zaxby’s and Einstein Bagels, where he focused on launching new locations and improving underperforming units. He also co-owns a private equity firm with his brother, specializing in hospitality and retail, and serves on Barberitos’ Franchise Advisory Council.

“We’re proud to continue partnering with Matt as he expands Barberitos’ presence in high-potential markets such as Tampa/St. Pete,” said Kelly Roddy, CEO of WOWorks.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- unit expansion (topic)
- QSR (sector)
- franchise development (topic)
- restaurant operations (topic)
- Zaxby's (company)
- WOWorks (company)
- Kelly Roddy (person)
- Barberitos (company)
- Matt O'Neill (person)
- Tampa/St. Pete (location)
- Einstein Bagels (company)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20250529_barberitos_expands_in_florida_with_7unit_development_agreement.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/355bf546-766c-4f00-873c-e4f0e67b427e).