Fixing repeated wording throughout the article.

Hawkers Asian Street Food has posted a "coming soon" sign at University Town Center in Sarasota. The sign appeared outside the former JPan Sushi & Grill space, signaling the Orlando-based chain's first restaurant in the market.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune first reported the signage Thursday. Hawkers has not confirmed an opening date or whether it will occupy the site at 229 N. Cattlemen Rd.

Malaysian, Hong Kong and Vietnamese fusion on the menu

The fast-casual chain specializes in Malaysian, Hong Kong and Vietnamese fusion dishes. Its menu features pork belly baos, Korean twice-fried wings in garlic gochujang sauce and noodle dishes including pad thai and Singapore mei fun. Hawkers also runs a craft cocktail program.

From crowdfunded startup to 15 locations

Founded in 2011, Hawkers now operates 15 company-owned restaurants across seven states, according to a 2026 FSR Magazine profile. CEO Kaleb Harrell co-founded the brand with Allen Lo, Wayne Yung and Kin Ho, pooling about $80,000 in savings and crowdfunding from roughly 60 friends and family members.

The chain's current Florida locations are in Delray Beach, Jacksonville (two), Orlando and St. Petersburg. Sarasota does not yet appear on the company's website.

Hawkers received an investment from Savory Fund in June 2025, fueling a return to growth. In the same profile, Harrell described the shift: "We've really pivoted back to an offensive mindset, and that has been quite honestly a bigger undertaking than I thought."

JPan closes after a decade at UTC

The space at UTC opened up after JPan Sushi & Grill closed when its lease expired Sept. 13, ending a 10-year run. Benderson Development, which owns the Cattlemen Road property, had been working with JPan owner Daniel Dokko on a possible move within UTC.

"But it's not goodbye … We are working very closely with Benderson to find the next JPan at UTC, so stay tuned," Dokko said in an Aug. 26 Facebook video announcing the closure, as reported by the Business Observer. Dokko's second JPan restaurant, at Siesta Row, 3800 S. Tamiami Trail, remains open.

Whether Hawkers' arrival affects Dokko's plans is unclear. Benderson spokesperson Julie Fanning said in August that relocation details were "not yet finalized."

No building permit or lease filing for the site has surfaced publicly.