VANCOUVER — FDF Restaurant Brandz has announced plans to launch a major expansion of its Famoso Italian Pizzeria + Bar brand in Ontario.
The expansion is the result of a new strategic partnership with Toronto-based franchise-development agent Labreche Group. Multiple new locations are projected to open in the province, including outposts in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
“Ontario — specifically Toronto and the GTA — is a key market for Famoso’s expansion and development as a national brand,” says Frank Di Benedetto, CEO, FDF Restaurant Brandz. “Having 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 now a new location planned for Barrie, Ont., the Labreche Group is a natural fit to work with us as franchise developers to expand Famoso’s presence in this dynamic market.”
In addition to the Famoso Italian Pizzeria + Bar full-service restaurant model, the Labreche Group will also be developing the Famoso Pronto model — a streamlined fast-casual franchise format. Famoso Pronto boasts a smaller 1,200- to 1,600-sq.-ft. space, is based on Famoso’s proven menu and offers a lower investment in combination with quick table turns to maximize profitability.
The announcement follows the one-year anniversary of FDF Restaurant Brandz’s acquisition of the Famoso brand. The company is also targeting to expand Famoso by 20 new locations in Western Canada alone over the next five to six years, which is a projection of three to four openings per year in this region. Seven new locations are currently slated to open before June 30, 2020.
