Fans of rock-themed dining in the Tampa Bay area will have to look elsewhere, as Rock & Brews in Lutz/Wesley Chapel has permanently closed. The State Road 56 location, situated across from the Tampa Premium Outlets, shut its doors earlier this month. The closure is part of a larger trend for the KISS co-founded restaurant chain, which has faced multiple shutdowns recently. The Plantation, Florida, location closed on January 13, 2025, and restaurants in Oklahoma City and El Segundo, California, have also ceased operations—with the latter filing for bankruptcy.

Despite these setbacks, several Florida locations—including Orlando, Oviedo, and Kissimmee—remain open and operating. Rock & Brews was founded in 2012 by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS, along with Michael Zislis, Dave Furano, and Dell Furano. The vision? To create a family-friendly restaurant that blended American comfort food with a concert-like atmosphere. The concept was first sparked during a casual brainstorming session over “a cold beer” with restaurateur Michael Zislis and the Furano brothers.

The restaurant quickly gained traction, expanding to 17 locations across the country, offering an immersive rock-and-roll experience featuring memorabilia, an extensive craft beer selection, and a casual, music-infused vibe. With Rock & Brews in Lutz/Wesley Chapel now closed, the space won’t stay empty for long—a Portillo’s restaurant is set to take its place. Known for its Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, Portillo’s continues to expand in Florida, bringing a different kind of nostalgia to the location.

As Rock & Brews faces mounting closures, questions arise about the future of the chain. Will the remaining locations in Florida and beyond be able to keep the brand alive, or is this the beginning of the end for the KISS-fronted venture? Only time will tell.

From Tampa Bay Music News