4R Restaurant Group’s 15th Smokehouse is scheduled to open in 2022

Winter Park, Fla., February 7, 2022 – Award-winning 4 Rivers Smokehouse announces plans to open its 15th restaurant at The Shoppes at Lake Miriam Crossing, a retail and dining destination located at 4747 S. Florida Avenue.

The 4 Rivers Smokehouse in Lakeland, slated to open in 2022, will create approximately 50 new local jobs. The restaurant will feature 4,279 sq. ft. of space and will offer seating for 87 guests. Dine-in, curbside, a new drive thru, delivery and catering will be offered.

Named one of the “South’s Best BBQ Joints” by Southern Living Magazine, 4 Rivers Smokehouse will bring the best of barbecue to Lakeland for the first time. The Smokehouse will serve its variety of Signature classics, such as 18-hour smoked Signature Angus Brisket, Pulled Pork and Burnt Ends. Guests will also enjoy popular Homestyle Sides, such as Baked Cheese Grits, Smokehouse Corn and Smoked Jalapeños. Additionally, the Smokehouse will offer its vegan friendly Beyond Burnt Ends as well as other vegetarian options.

“Ever since opening the first 4 Rivers twelve years ago, we’ve heard a large outcry from Lakeland residents asking us to open a Smokehouse in their city and it’s always been a goal of ours to do so,” said John Rivers, 4R Restaurant Group Founder/CEO. “We’re honored that Publix has given us the opportunity to open a Smokehouse in its beautiful Publix GreenWise Market complex in Lakeland, which bridges the gap between our nearest locations in Kissimmee and Tampa. We look forward to bringing our barbecue ministry to Lakeland later this year where we’ll be neighbors with Publix, a company that shares our commitment to giving back to the community.”

We’re excited to welcome 4 Rivers to the area,” said Publix Director of Communications, Maria Brous. “Not only do we share similar values like serving our communities, but we also share the love of good food.”

ABOUT 4R RESTAURANT GROUP
Established in Winter Park, Fla. in 2009, 4 Rivers Smokehouse is a family-owned “Barbecue Ministry” specializing in 30-day aged Smoked Angus Brisket, Homestyle Sides and John Rivers Originals. Voted “Best BBQ in the South” by Southern Living Magazine, 4 Rivers is led by Founder/CEO John Rivers, who strives to support the local community through exceptional products, steadfast customer service and uncompromised integrity.

4R Restaurant Group has 22 locations in Florida, including thirteen current 4 Rivers Smokehouses, 4R Cantina Barbacoa at Disney Springs; four 4 Rivers walkup venues at ESPN Wide World of Sports; as well as eateries at Camping World Stadium, Spectrum Stadium and Doak Campbell Stadium. Also part of the 4R family is The COOP, a neighborhood restaurant in Winter Park celebrating the homestyle fare of the South. 4 Rivers Smokehouse sauces and signature rubs are also available for purchase in Publix stores throughout the Southeast.