BURNABY, B.C. — FDF Restaurant Brandz has acquired the 12-year-old Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria chain for an undisclosed amount.
Led by Ricky’s Group of Family-style restaurants, including Ricky’s All Day Grill, Ricky’s Country, Ricky’s hotel partners and Ricky’s Cafés, as well as Fatbuger locations, the addition of approximately 30 Famoso locations in Alberta, B.C., Ontario and Saskatchewan brings the total FDF Brandz portfolio to approximately 175 franchise-restaurant locations. Seven new Ricky’s and 12 new Fatburgers are opening in the next 18 months. None of the current Famoso locations will close.
“We are delighted to bring the popular Famoso chain into the fold and welcome the franchise owners of these neighbourhood pizzerias known for using authentic ingredients and processes to create flavourful Neapolitan pizzas and other tasty choices,” says Frank Di Benedetto, CEO and owner of FDF Restaurant Brandz. “This is a great fit for FDF Brandz as it allows us to add a new segment to our growing restaurant folio.”
Moving forward, a smaller 1,250-sq.-ft., 24-seat QSR take-out version to be called Famoso Pronto will join the current Famoso 2500 model, which features 2,500 sq. ft. of dining and bar space. New franchisees will be recruited for further expansion of the brand in Western and Eastern Canada, with franchise startup costs reduced to approximately $650,000 to $700,000 for a new Famoso 2500 and approximately $375,000 for a Famoso Pronto. Existing owners of Famoso franchises will be given preference for expansion.
FDF Brandz will retain Famoso’s current Operations and Marketing teams — including one of the principals — for at least six months to ease the transition and to assist with franchise development of the revised model format.
Over the next five years, FDF Brandz plans to double the number of Famoso locations in Canada and grow the brand in the U.S., U.K., Australia, China, India, the Middle East and other international locales.
