World of Beer

World of Beer Bar & Kitchen is a U.S. restaurant and bar concept built around a large craft beer selection paired with approachable pub food. Locations feature an extensive draft and bottled beer lineup, full bar, and a menu of sharable plates, burgers, handhelds and flatbreads, creating a social, bar‑forward environment that works for groups, sports watching and casual dining. Sites typically sit in lifestyle centers, mixed‑use developments and urban entertainment districts, where evening and late‑night traffic are important to the overall project.

The brand began in 2007, when the first World of Beer opened as a craft beer bottle shop and bar in the Westchase area of Tampa, Florida. Two friends launched the concept with a simple idea: focus on beer variety and introduce customers to styles from around the world. A key milestone came around 2010–2011, when veteran casual dining executive Paul Avery invested in the company and later became CEO. Under his leadership, the concept evolved into WOB Bar & Kitchen, with a stronger food program and a refined sports‑bar‑meets‑taproom feel that could translate to more markets and real estate types.

Through the 2010s and into the early 2020s, World of Beer expanded beyond its Tampa roots through a mix of franchised and corporate locations. The chain grew into Florida, the broader Southeast, Texas and select Mid‑Atlantic, Midwest and Northeast markets, often clustering near college campuses, military bases and office and destination retail nodes. As of June 2024, World of Beer operates roughly 30 locations across the United States, with a concentration in Florida and other Sunbelt and college‑oriented trade areas.

Over the last five years, the company has focused on tightening its operating model and positioning WOB Bar & Kitchen as an experience‑driven tenant rather than a traditional casual dining restaurant. That shift has included a greater emphasis on food consistency, sports and event programming, and a flexible layout that highlights a large bar and open seating. The result is a format that can support bar‑heavy sales, weekend and late‑night use, and group occasions, which helps activate projects beyond typical lunch and early dinner peaks.

Growth today is intentionally disciplined. As of June 2024, World of Beer is selectively adding units through franchising and corporate development, with priority on Florida, the Southeast, Texas, Sunbelt college towns and urban entertainment districts in larger metros. The brand often targets second‑generation restaurant and bar spaces, which helps control build‑out costs and shorten the path from lease signing to opening. That strategy makes the concept a practical option for landlords looking to backfill vacated full‑service or bar footprints with a recognizable operator.

Looking ahead, World of Beer is concentrating on strengthening unit‑level performance, supporting existing franchisees and filling in markets where awareness is already in place. New locations are expected to favor infill opportunities in strong craft beer and entertainment trade areas, particularly in Florida and nearby Sunbelt states, as well as selective university and office‑anchored submarkets. With an experienced leadership team and a measured expansion posture, WOB Bar & Kitchen is positioned as a steady, experiential anchor in mixed‑use projects, lifestyle centers and entertainment districts that benefit from an active bar, food and social gathering component.