As Florida's construction landscape is shifting, leaders like Aaron Simque, owner of SimQ Development, have navigated the transition thoughtfully. With more than two decades of industry experience, his career bridges two distinct sectors, traditional residential building and the expanding quick-service restaurant (QSR) market, placing him at a unique intersection of craftsmanship, adaptability, and long-term client partnership. It is a path shaped not only by market realities but by a belief in relationship-driven work that guides how he approaches every project.
Simque's journey began in 2004 in Florida's residential sector. "Over the years, I have built various homes, gaining extensive insight into quality standards, finish expectations, and the personal attention homeowners look for in major investments," he says. Residential construction formed the foundation of his career for more than 15 years, but shifting economic conditions began to reshape the landscape. "The market changed dramatically after COVID," he says, noting the saturation of Florida's housing inventory. These shifts encouraged him to look beyond the traditional residential pipeline and explore opportunities in commercial development.
That change led him toward the fast-growing QSR sector valued at over $971 billion in 2024 and anticipated to reach $1.93 trillion by 2032. Coffee concepts with drive-through and pickup-window models were gaining momentum, and Simque recognized an opportunity to apply residential-level craftsmanship to commercial spaces that needed both speed and durability. "I have seen how people grab their morning coffee no matter what the economy is doing," he explains. This insight, paired with long-standing client relationships, opened the door to building multiple locations for an expanding regional coffee chain while positioning his business to meet increasing demand in convenience-driven dining formats.
Central to Simque's approach is the philosophy that construction, whether residential or commercial, is ultimately a relationship business. He views every project as the beginning of a long-term partnership rather than a single transaction. "If a client has six stores planned, I want to be the person building all six," he says. That commitment includes consistent follow-up long after the ribbon-cutting. He routinely checks in months or even a year after completion to help ensure the facility is performing well and to address any necessary adjustments. This steady engagement, he believes, reinforces trust and gives clients confidence that their investment remains supported.
Simque's small, hands-on team model also reflects this philosophy. Rather than operating as a large, layered organization, he works directly with trusted subcontractors. This structure provides consistent quality control and allows him to stay closely involved in the details that often define client satisfaction. That attention extends to recommending alternative materials when they offer better durability, maintenance advantages, or long-term cost efficiency for the operator.
As the QSR sector evolves, Simque stays attuned to consumer behavior shaping new builds. Fast-paced, convenience-driven dining continues to influence restaurant design, from dual access points to optimized pickup zones. He sees this trend not only in the coffee shops he builds, but across casual and formal dining concepts. "People want quick, easy options, and restaurants that design for that will always have an advantage," he says. His insight allows him to advise clients on design decisions that enhance guest flow, serviceability, and overall experience.
Even as his commercial portfolio grows, Simque maintains a strong interest in returning to high-end residential work, this time focused on luxury coastal homes along Florida's west coast. He aims to balance commercial growth with selective residential opportunities through his newly rebranded company, Shore Group. "Residential construction has been such a big part of my career, and the coastal market is where I would like to focus next," he explains.
Looking ahead, Simque envisions SimQ Development becoming recognized across Florida and eventually throughout the broader Southeast. His goal is to expand county by county, supported by additional contractor licenses that will cover multiple regional states. Over the next five years, he hopes both SimQ Development and Shore Group will serve as established names in their respective segments, commercial QSR construction and coastal residential homes, while continuing to prioritize client partnerships built on service, consistency, and quality.
