Highlands County — Food Safety Records

Overview

Highlands County, Florida has 188 food establishments with 3,750 inspections on record. 11 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 81.1%, below the state average of 85.7%. Inspections average 5.6 violations per visit.

Most recent closure: Legacy 1912 in Sebring, shut down July 17, 2026 for roach activity.

Largest fine: $800 assessed to China Max in Sebring on August 11, 2026.

Data from Florida DBPR. Updated September 2026.

188Facilities
3,750Inspections
11Closures 2026
81.1%Pass Rate
5.6Avg Violations

Highlands County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages

Highlands County 81.1% Pass Rate 81.1%
Florida Average 85.7% Pass Rate 85.7%
Highlands County 5.6 Avg Violations / Inspection 5.6
Florida Average 4.7 Avg Violations / Inspection 4.7
Highlands County 5.85 Closures per 100 Facilities 5.85
Florida Average 1.96 Closures per 100 Facilities 1.96

Highlands County Restaurants: Recent Closures (2)

DateBusinessCityReason
Legacy 1912 SebringRoach activity
Compass Bar and Grill Lake PlacidRodent activity

Highlands County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)

DateBusinessCityViolationsResult
Jaxson's Lake Placid5 (1 high) Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Dock 633 Lake Placid6 Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Lake Jackson Landing Sebring2 Call Back - Complied
Gavaghan's Irish Pub Sebring7 (3 high) Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Liams Soda and Ice Cream Works LLC Sebring3 (1 high) Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Lykes Kitchen Okeechobee2 (2 high) Inspection Completed - No Further Action
McDonald's Corporation 009-1358 Sebring3 Inspection Completed - No Further Action
Seven Sebring Raceway Hotel Sebring2 Call Back - Complied
Dairy Queen Grill and Chill Sebring0 Call Back - Complied
Dunkin Donuts Sebring1 Call Back - Complied

Highlands County Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations

Highlands County Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines

96Actions on Record
$32,040Total Fines
$373Avg Fine
$800Largest Fine
61Facilities Fined

Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)

DateBusinessFineCase
Aug 11, 2026 China Max $800 7--2026052187
Dec 4, 2025 Cang Tong $800 7--2025076667
May 14, 2026 Solorzanos Pizzeria Sebring $800 7--2026010700
May 4, 2026 Bori-bowls $400 7--2025084793
Jul 27, 2026 Jaxson's $400 7--2026046138
Jan 13, 2026 La Michoacana of Lake Placid INC $400 7--2025082271
Aug 6, 2026 Little Caesars 638 $400 7--2026030488
Jan 26, 2026 Oscar's Family Restaurant $400 7--2025092137
Dec 1, 2025 Avon Park Diner $400 7--2025081615
Oct 14, 2025 Sophie's Cafe $400 7--2025052987

Highlands County Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations

82Fire Violations
42Facilities Cited

Most Common Fire Safety Issues

IssueCitations
Fire extinguisher in red zone 31
Other fire safety violation 22
Exit blocked or locked 19
Cooking without hood suppression 4
Missing boiler certificate/report 3
Propane tank stored inside building 3

Highlands County: Notable Restaurants

Highlands County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)

ChainLocationsViolationsClosures
Subway 7 637 0
Dunkin 5 662 1
McDonalds 4 471 0
Burger King 4 333 0
Taco Bell 3 255 0
Wendys 3 325 0
Arbys 2 232 0
Dominos 2 95 0
Holiday Inn 2 106 1
Dairy Queen 2 281 0

Highlands County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ

How many restaurants are in Highlands County?
Highlands County, Florida has 188 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Highlands County?
The current pass rate for food establishments in Highlands County is 81.1%. The Florida state average is 85.7%.
How many restaurants were shut down in Highlands County this year?
11 food establishments in Highlands County have been shut down by health inspectors in 2026.
What are the most common health violations in Highlands County?
The most frequently cited violations in Highlands County are: Food contact surfaces, Clean multi-use utensils, Proper hand/arm washing.
Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Highlands County?
Subway has the most locations in Highlands County with 7 establishments.
What was the most recent restaurant closure in Highlands County?
Legacy 1912 in Sebring was shut down on July 17, 2026 for roach activity.
How does Highlands County compare to the Florida state average?
Highlands County has a pass rate of 81.1%, which is 4.6 percentage points below the state average of 85.7%. The average violations per inspection is 5.6 compared to the state average of 4.68.
How often are restaurants inspected in Highlands County?
Food establishments in Highlands County have an average of 19.9 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
How much in fines have restaurants in Highlands County been assessed?
Food establishments in Highlands County have been assessed $32,040 in fines across 96 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $373 and the largest single fine was $800.
How many fire safety violations have been found in Highlands County restaurants?
82 fire safety violations have been documented across 42 food establishments in Highlands County. The most common issue is fire extinguisher in red zone.

In the News Highlands County

See all 36 stories ↓

Stories You May Have Missed

Highlands County Restaurants & Food Establishments (187)

La Monarca Michoacana

2623 US HWY 27 S UNIT 2, Sebring

2 inspections · 6 violations · Last: Aug 2026

Cuban Sabor Cafe

9 S MAIN AVE, Lake Placid

2 inspections · 4 violations · Last: Jul 2026

Porkchop's Barbecue

295 E INTERLAKE BLVD, Lake Placid

2 inspections · 3 violations · Last: Jul 2026

Pour House on Main

2 E MAIN ST, Avon Park

2 inspections · 1 violations · Last: Aug 2026

Sugar Blossoms Bakery

4006 US 27 S, Sebring

0 inspections · 0 violations

Vw Frontage Sunoco

4200 US 27 N, Sebring

0 inspections · 0 violations

Tada Yoga Studio LLC

900 Hillcrest Avenue, Lake Placid

0 inspections · 0 violations