The average projected cost to open each Tarpon Bend restaurant is $1 million to $1.5 million, for a total cost of $5 million to $15 million for the expansion. The company is looking to make each restaurant around 6,000 sf to 7,000 sf. Based on this, the expansion would consist of a total of approximately 32,500 sf for five restaurants and 65,000 sf for 10.

Currently, Tarpon Bend has locations at Weston Town Center in Weston, FL, and at Himmarshee Village in Downtown Fort Lauderdale, FL. The Restaurant People, a Fort Lauderdale-based restaurant management group in operation for more than six years, manages Tarpon Bend.

The company's growth plan calls for adding the new locations within two years, according to Athan Prakas of the Prakas Group. The next Tarpon Bend location will open within 55 Miracle Mile on Aragon Road in Coral Gables in Miami-Dade County. This location is planning a spring 2004 opening.