‘Our vision is to have Famoso in every major city that we can,’ including the Asia-Pacific and European markets
Famoso Italian Pizzeria + Bar plans a major expansion in Western Canada and Ontario.
Chain owner FDF Restaurants Brandz has entered a new strategic partnership with Toronto-based franchise development agent Labreche Group.
The company said multiple new locations are projected to open in Ontario, including the Greater Toronto Area.
There are currently 29 locations in Canada.
“FDF Brandz is targeting to expand Famoso by 20 new locations in Western Canada over the next five to six years, which is a projection of three to four openings per year in the West. Seven new locations will open before June 30, 2020, surpassing original growth projections. There are also plans to open multiple new locations in Ontario, including Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area,” said Frank Di Benedetto, chief executive officer and owner of FDF Restaurant Brandz.
FDF Brandz also plans to take Famoso elsewhere in the world.
“Our vision is to have Famoso in every major city that we can take Famoso to,” said Di Benedetto, adding that there are plans to target the Asia-Pacific and European markets, as well as working towards breaking into the U.S. market.
FDF Restaurant Brandz acquired Famoso Inc. on May 31, 2018.
The Labreche Group opened the first Famoso location in Toronto in The Annex, at the corner of Bloor just west of Spadina, in 2012, and then another in Waterloo in 2014, and has another location planned for Barrie, Ont.
The group is headed by Ontario-born brothers Dean and Chad Labreche.
The Famoso concept, started in 2007, is a replication of Italian pizzerias from Naples, Italy.
FDF Restaurant Brandz is also the parent company of The Ricky’s Group of Family-style Restaurants, including Ricky’s All Day Grill, Ricky’s Country, and Ricky’s hotel partners, and Fatburger Canada. There are franchise restaurant locations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. The company has 190 locations.
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