Mel's Diner Fort Myers in Fort Myers, Lee County, United States | Restaurant

Since 2004, the Mel's Diner support team has seen significant changes. What started as a single-unit operation has turned into an 11 store chain, $25 million per year company.
History
Affectionately known as "Southwest Florida's Kitchen," Mel's Diner has been a popular Florida chain since 1989. The company has experienced significant growth in recent years, yet still prides itself on its simplicities and charm, like family-friendly service, comfort foods prepared from scratch and great value.
Founded by Chris Karakosta in San Carlos, Fla. in 1989, the restaurant set out to mimic the look and feel of Chris' family's original Chicago-based diner, Dimitri's. With Mel's, he sought to return to the familiarity and wholesomeness of Dimitri's, while also supplying an environment where his family could spend more time together -- they originally served as his staff in the eatery.
The Mel's Diner restaurants are designed with retro flair and feature many of the qualities commonly associated with those establishments: Formica dining tables, pastel-colored booths, neon lights and glass displays. The menu takes that impression one step further, offering an assortment of comfort foods and family favorites, like meatloaf, burgers, turkey and more.