Ex-UCF football star aims to open Miami Grill in Orlando

Former UCF football star Kamar Aiken is planning to open a Miami Grill in a former Perkins on Orange Blossom Trail.

The 4,500-square-foot restaurant at 5320 N. Orange Blossom Trail will have a drive-thru, city documents show. A spokesman for the company confirmed the address is one of Aiken’s restaurants but did not reveal a target opening date.

Menu options will include Philly cheesesteaks, gyros, burgers, and seafood options. Miami Grill opened restaurants in Kissimmee and Daytona Beach in 2019.

Aiken — who has played in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles after leaving UCF in 2011 — plans to open several Miami Grill restaurants in Orlando, and the company is seeking additional franchise partners for the market, according to a news release.

Aiken ate grilled wings at the restaurant, which started as Mr. Submarine in Key West and has also been known as Miami Subs, as a child in Miami. Miami Subs used to have restaurants in Central Florida.

“I just remember how great the grilled wings were and the food, overall,” he said in the release. “I kind of lost touch with Miami Grill after leaving for college, but would visit when I was back in town. The taste was still consistent after all of those years. It was pretty amazing.”

The Orange Blossom Trail site was developed in 1996 and the Perkins there closed in 2011.

Sanford American Eagle to close: The American Eagle store inside the Seminole Towne Center is set to close.

Sales are taking place at the clothing retailer, and a sign in the store’s window said it is closing soon. American Eagle did not respond to questions sent by email, including when the store would shut its doors.

Its closure takes place even as American Eagle Outfitters reported record third quarter revenue in 2019, with net revenue increasing to $1.07 billion compared to $1 billion the previous year.

“Strong top line performance across brands and channels led to our 19th consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth and record third quarter revenue,” CEO Jay Schottenstein said in a news release.

Macy’s at the Seminole Towne Center is also closing and sales have started there.

When the Sanford location closes, the closest American Eagle will be at the Altamonte Mall.

ADonatos Pizza returns to Orlando: thin-crust pizza chain known for a large pizza featuring 100 pieces of pepperoni is set to return to Central Florida.

Donatos Pizza is looking at potential sites in Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Oviedo and Winter Park. A franchisee plans to open five restaurants in the market.

The first one could open toward the end of the year, said Jeff Baldwin, vice president of real estate and franchising for Donatos. A specific location has not been announced, but the company is focused on the north end of Orlando for that restaurant.

Baldwin said the area can hold more