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Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Miami-Dade sets thousands of stray cats free. Should feeding them be legal?
When a stray cat in a Kendall shopping center happens upon a pile of kibble near a Lowe's parking lot, they often have Virginia Dieppa to thank. At least for now. The 70-year-old retiree delivers for Uber Eats on the side to cover the cost of food for dozens of cats living on the edge of the Lowe's off of Southwest 137th Avenue. She uses a notepad to keep track of the ones she's named: Patches, Pearle, Sox, Midnight, Kee-Nee. The trunk of her car is crammed with water jugs, cat food and donated Pollo Tropical bowls for feeding dishes. While the cats consistently eat up her effort, not everybody is a fan. Dieppa and other volunteer feeders say they've been warned by police that they don't have permission to leave food in the private parking lot. Dieppa said a nearby daycare complained of cat waste. Last week, the Miami-Dade commissioner representing that area of Kendall, Raquel Regalado, filed legislation to ban the feeding of stray animals outside of businesses or in public parks but ultimately revoked it after receiving backlash. 'I was in shock,' Dieppa said of the pushback against feline feeding outside the Lowe's. 'Those cats have been fed for 18 years.' Dieppa's angst captures some of the complications surrounding a growing population of stray cats that is indirectly sanctioned by Miami-Dade's county government. Last year, the county's Animal Services Department released back onto the streets nearly 18,000 stray cats — each of them sterilized after being caught in a county-supplied trap or turned in by a member of the public. While Miami-Dade used to euthanize stray cats, the policy changed in 2012 amid pressure to dramatically boost the survival rate at the shelter. Miami-Dade then launched its 'TNR' program — Trap, Neuter and Return. The number of cats serviced by the program, which vaccinates cats in addition to sterilizing them, has doubled over the last decade. In 2016, about 8,700 cats were released, according to county figures. Last year, Miami-Dade released about 17,800 sterilized cats back onto the streets. Who feeds the cats once the county sets them free? In a statement, Animal Services said street cats are able to fend for themselves. 'Community cats are highly adaptable and naturally equipped to survive outdoors,' the statement said. 'With their strong territorial instincts, they learn to navigate their surroundings, locate food and water sources, and seek out safe shelter.' But the county's unofficial network of cat feeders say their efforts are key to providing a humane existence for the thousands of strays trying to survive without homes. 'One of the cats I'm feeding is missing an eye. One is missing a leg,' said Samuel Muvdi, 25, who tends to a group of cats living in a different Kendall shopping center. 'When I whistle, they all come running.' The question of what to do with homeless cats is controversial. PETA, the animal-rights group, said releasing sterilized feral cats back into the wild can be humane, provided they're fed and monitored for health issues and not at risk of getting hit by cars. Otherwise, the organization's website says, 'allowing feral cats to continue their daily struggle for survival in a hostile environment is not usually a humane option.' Bird deaths are a concern, too. The American Bird Conservancy's agenda includes 'keeping cats indoors,' and it blames 1 billion bird deaths a year on prowling felines. Last week, the friction spiked in Miami-Dade when Regalado introduced legislation to create a $100 fine for people feeding feral cats, dogs and peacocks on public or commercial property. The legislation cited 'unsightly conditions' from the feeding efforts, which the proposed ordinance said can 'attract vermin, clog storm drains, and contribute to pollution in the County's stormwater systems' — a reference to the role that pet waste plays after heavy rains. Regalado said the legislation was designed to 'de-criminalize' feeding operations by giving authorities the option of issuing a fine instead of charging people like Dieppa with trespassing for feeding in places where they're not authorized. But the backlash was sharp enough that Regalado killed the legislation just days after it became public. 'If people want to keep the status quo, the status quo it is,' she said. The proposed ordinance was withdrawn from the agenda of Tuesday's County Commission meeting. In the meantime, the retreat from the potential ban on feeding doesn't fix the friction over the cats Dieppa and other volunteers are feeding around the Kendall Lowe's. A corporate spokesperson for the hardware-store chain was not available for comment this week. A wall near the wooded area where the cats forage now has a yellow sign that says 'DO NOT FEED CATS.' Dieppa said the volunteer feeders have gotten conflicting information, so they're continuing to distribute food during hours when the parking lot isn't busy. They're concerned about the cats not having access to water as the temperature heats up if the volunteers can no longer set out their dishes. 'In the summer, we actually go twice a day to put out water,' said Alicia Carnevale, who also feeds those cats and at one point paid $400 to have several of them sterilized and treated by a vet. 'If we weren't doing this, they would probably die.'
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Pollo Tropical: How Authentic Restaurants Brands Boosted Its Revenue
Pollo Tropical is now privately-owned, has 145 locations, based predominantly in Florida, and is ... More mostly company-owned, not franchised. Pictured is its Weston, Fl. location. When Alex Macedo, the CEO of Authentic Restaurants Brands, which owns P.J. Whelihan, Mambo Seafood and Tavern in the Square among several brands and his team, studied Pollo Tropical, a Caribbean flame-grilled chicken chain, he saw, 'massive untapped growth potential.' So it acquired Pollo Tropical from the Fiesta Restaurant Group (NASDAQ: FRG) in 2023 and took the chain private. By using its data analysis and operational strategies, it boosted Pollo Tropical's average unit volume by 15% its first-year, post-acquisition. Pollo Tropical is centered in Florida where 127 of its 145 locations are situated with an additional 18 across Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. Unlike most restaurant chains these days, where franchising dominates and often leads to quick growth, it owns 122 of its outlets with only 23 franchised with 16 of those in Puerto Rico. Indeed 90 of its stores are based in the Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach environs. Macedo said Pollo Tropical possessed all the attributes that it pursues in an acquisition including 'high-volume and high-margins with strong regional relevance and long-term staying power.' Although Authentic Restaurant Brands (ARB) is owned by NYC-based private equity company Garnett Station Partners, Macedo explains that ARB are 'restaurant operators, which sets us apart when we acquire new businesses' and don't have a quick buy then sell mentality. He acknowledges, however that 'at some point they will sell.' Both Macedo and Dirk Montgomery, CEO of Pollo Tropical, are based in Miami, which Montgomery says provides them a 'tactile feel for all the restaurants because we're here.' Visiting outlets unannounced enables Montgomery to see in an 'unfiltered way, whether guests are taken care of, where the manager is focusing and whether his eyes are on the guest.' Its 2 Strategies To Boost Revenue To boost revenue, Macedo explained that its two main strategies were to extend its hours and simplify its menu. Since drive-thru purchases constitute 50% of its sales, a strong portion of its revenue stems from dining during peak times. But half the orders were customized, which slowed down the line and often led to customers driving away, unwilling to wait. In addition, because of Covid most Pollo Tropical outlets reduced their hours and closed at 10:30 p.m. and kept those hours post-Covid but its new ownership extended them until midnight. Macedo said 'the demand later in the evening contributed to boosting revenue to approximately a 3% increase in same-store sales.' Simplify, Simplify Its data engineers analyzed the menu and ordering patterns, identified top selling menu items, and simplified its' offerings. The streamlined menu contributed to speeding up the lines, amounting to a 15-second improvement in service times, which Macedo says, 'had a huge impact given how high-volume our locations are.' Why does that 15-second speed-up make such a difference? Macedo says when most people see 12 cars on line, they drive out quickly, so speeding up the line promotes more business and a superior customer experience. It also launched a whole new line of chicken sandwiches and a TV campaign promoting its $19.95 family chicken dinner, consisting of 8 pieces of chicken, rice and 2 sides, that would cost $25 to $27 at other chicken chains, Macedo notes. 'It's a huge value driver,' he concludes. Leave The Culture Alone Asked what it did to change Pollo Tropical's culture, Macedo replied that it 'wasn't looking to change the culture, as that is what drew us to them in the first place. We bring operational expertise, resources and proven best practices to help teams execute at even a higher level.' Hence, CEO Montgomery says the menu revolves around two main items: freshly grilled chicken and black beans and rice. The quarter or half grilled chicken is marinated for 24-hours in citrus juices and spices, then flame-grilled and the black beans and rice personify a classic Latino dish. Montgomery adds that while many chains offer fried chicken dishes, which aren't healthy, its chicken is lightly charred and 'aligns well with today's more health-conscious consumer seeking grilled over fried proteins.' On Yelp some of Pollo Tropical's clientele in Miami, Fl. echoed Montgomery's sentiments. Stephanie from Miami wrote that it offers a 'semi-healthier version of fast food than getting your usual burger or fried chicken nuggets. Their flavors seem to be on point.' And she noted that she has never waited more than 5 minutes through the drive-thru. Kevin from Manchester, Ct. described dining at Pollo Tropical in Miami as a 'Cuban Boston Market. They serve up chicken, pork and other meats with Cuban sandwiches and rice and beans. And the price was very cheap, a meal with a quarter chicken cost 11 bucks.' Despite the growth in revenue, CEO Montgomery says don't expect to see them opening new stores in 2025. 'We plan to be very selective,' he states, 'and open a small number of high-sales volume locations beginning in late 2026 or 2027. That will contribute to consistent revenue growth over the next few years.' Why such slow growth? Macedo says that first it wanted to improve the guest experience, sales and bottom line, then they'll turn to opening new locations. Staying within Florida, Macedo adds, helps with supply chain issues, staffing, and being in relative proximity to most outlets. In fact, Macedo says, 'We're undeveloped in Florida,' suggesting that are many inland and coastal locations, north of Miami haven't been tapped yet. He admits that years down the road they may consider contiguous states beyond Florida's border. But that's long-term.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Another Mandarin restaurant abruptly shuts its doors
A Mexican bar and grill in Mandarin has become the latest neighborhood restaurant to abruptly shut its doors. Casa Amigos Mexican Bar & Grille is gone from 11112 San Jose Blvd., Suite 23, where it had occupied a storefront between Mandola's Italian Kitchen and Trader Joe's in the Claire Lane shopping center. The restaurant sign was gone from the building, its telephone disconnected, and its website, Facebook and Instagram pages had been taken down by Saturday. On Sunday, cleaning supplies could be seen through the front windows on the floor of what previously had been the main dining area. Casa Amigos' owners couldn't be reached immediately for comment. The closure comes more than three years after Casa Amigos was licensed to operate in the 3,718-square-foot storefront previously occupied by another Mexican restaurant — La Nopalera Mexican Restaurant. La Nopalera had been licensed for that space since 2014. It underwent an ownership change in 2021, according to online records at the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations, and state Division of Corporations. 'Deeply grateful for the memories': Funky Jacksonville Beach sandwich shop plans to close Permanent time out: Popular sports bar closes at The Avenues, leaving just 1 full-service restaurant at mall The departure of Casa Amigos comes roughly a week after the closure of nearby Pollo Tropical at 10989 San Jose Blvd. in the Mandarin Corners shopping center. Also closing simultaneously were Pollo Tropical's other Jacksonville locations: 730 Skymarks Drive in River City Marketplace, 4863 Gate Parkway at the Markets at Town Center. The three Pollo Tropical restaurants were the last three in Jacksonville. A company representative told the Times-Union the restaurant Miami-based chain had decided to "focus on higher growth markets in Florida." Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@ If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest dining coverage. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Casa Amigos Mexican Bar & Grille permanently closes in Jacksonville
