Coral Springs

Big Whiskey’s Expanding to Coral Springs

The restaurant will feature 200+ seats, a sports-focused layout, and a broad menu.

Image courtesy of Big Whiskey's American Restaurant & Bar, Coral Springs.

CORAL SPRINGS, FL — Steve Swanson, alongside his sister Jacki Swanson and his wife Suzanne Swanson, is bringing Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant & Bar to 3374 North University Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33065.

Swanson told Business Debut the team is targeting a September opening, with a possibility of opening in August if construction stays on track. This is the group’s second Big Whiskey’s location, following its existing restaurant in Davie.

What to Expect

Big Whiskey’s is a full-service, family-friendly restaurant and bar. Swanson described it as “a family friendly restaurant that celebrates sports. And we have whiskey."

The Coral Springs location will feature about 180 indoor seats and 50 to 60 seats on a shaded patio. Inside, guests can expect 37 televisions and a layout designed for both dining and watching live sports, Swanson said.

Images courtesy of Big Whiskey's American Restaurant & Bar, Coral Springs.

The menu will include burgers, wraps, wings, steaks, salads, pastas, seafood and sandwiches, Swanson told Business Debut. He said guests can expect cheeseburgers, craft burgers, chicken wings, bone-in and boneless wings, chicken sandwiches, turkey melts, Philly cheesesteaks and a range of barbecue.

Swanson highlighted the bourbon glazed salmon, ribs, Big Whiskey barbecue burger, bourbon street burger and crunch wrap chicken as popular items.

“We’ve got things that people love with a Big Whiskey twist,” Swanson told Business Debut.“We have really good steaks that people can come in and enjoy without it being over-the-top expensive.”

The bar program will feature roughly 50 to 100 whiskeys at any given time, including popular labels and rotating selections. Swanson said Big Whiskey’s is not meant to feel like a dark, traditional whiskey bar.

“Our environment is family friendly, high energy, great bar,” Swanson told Business Debut.

The brand’s name comes from a legend tied to the original location in Springfield, Missouri. Swanson said a guest nicknamed Big Whiskey would come in and say, “whiskey, make it a big one,” which eventually inspired the name.

Ownership and Background

Swanson comes from a family with long-standing experience in the restaurant industry. He said his father started the business in 1992 with an IHOP franchise, eventually growing to multiple locations.

“I came out and we grew it to nine units,” Swanson told Business Debut.

The family later pursued other franchising opportunities, leading them to Big Whiskey’s. Swanson said the decision was driven by the strength of the established concept. “It has been tested and developed, and there’s great support from our franchisor,” Swanson told Business Debut.

He added that his sister Jacki Swanson focuses on marketing and promotion, while he leads construction and operations.

Opening Timeline

Swanson said the team is targeting a September 15th opening, with potential to open earlier in mid- to late August if construction progresses smoothly.