Fogo de Chão Announces Plans to Enter Canada

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Global restaurant brand continues expansion momentum with 10-unit deal with premier developer Debut Development Group

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DALLAS, Aug. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fogo de Chão, the internationally-renowned restaurant from Brazil that allows guests to make discoveries at every turn, today announced the signing of a franchise development agreement that will bring Fogo’s award-winning dining experience to Canada for the first time. Through the agreement, Debut Development Group, a leading developer, owner and operator of high-end restaurants, hotels, resorts, and entertainment venues worldwide, will bring 10 Fogo locations to Canada over the next 11 years. The announcement follows Fogo’s recently announced plans to enter Asia with its first development deal in the Philippines and is a key step in the Company’s strategic growth plans as it continues to expand throughout the United States and globally. Debut Development Group joins Fogo’s existing international franchise partners in the Philippines, Mexico, and the Middle East.

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With 66 locations worldwide and growing, earlier in 2022 Fogo announced a 15 percent planned annual growth rate through company-owned restaurants, with an additional international capital light franchise development strategy. With the goal to bring the culinary art of churrasco to guests worldwide, the Company has announced 8-10 company-owned and 1-2 international franchise restaurant openings for 2022, supported by a strong pipeline of new restaurant development to meet demand in new and existing markets. Fogo’s newest openings include restaurants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, El Segundo, Calif., Coral Gables, Fla. and Monterrey, Mexico, with planned openings in Queens, N.Y., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Paramus, N.J. and others expected later this year.

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“We are proud to partner with Michael Wilkings, Chairman & CEO, and Jim Bowen, Chief Development Officer, and their experienced team at Debut Development Group, who’ve built an incredible reputation for success in developing and operating high-end hospitality brands around the world,” said Barry McGowan, Chief Executive Officer of Fogo de Chão. “We are focused on scaling Fogo and executing on our strategic growth goals. The Canadian market represents a strong opportunity to continue our growth in North America and to bring our distinctive Fogo experience to local guests, many of whom have visited us on their travels around the globe.”

Toronto-based Debut Development Group is a leading hospitality and hotel owner, developer, and operator with a proven track record of successfully scaling concepts internationally. With an extensive global footprint, Debut Development Group’s portfolio includes high-end brands including Grand Hyatt, Margaritaville, Nikki Beach, Wolfgang Puck Café, Juliana’s, Cipriani, the Vogue Club, and more.

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“Fogo de Chão is a very attractive partner for us given its established, proven concept and unique experience built on discovery,” said Michael Wilkings, CEO, Chairman and Founder of Debut Development Group. “We’re honored to partner with Fogo to create additional value for the brand and bring Canadian guests a dining experience unlike any other.”

Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo de Chão is a nearly 45-year-old brand known for its dining experience of discovery and showcasing the culinary art of churrasco where guests can watch as gaucho chefs butcher, hand-carve and grill high-quality cuts of protein over an open flame. With a modern, timeless design and signature offerings including a fresh and seasonal Market Table and an award-winning Bar Fogo menu featuring hand-crafted cocktails and South American wines, Fogo has become a destination of choice by both brand advocates and new guests globally.

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For more information about Fogo de Chão, visit fogo.com. To learn more about global franchising opportunities, visit fogo.com/global-development/.

About Fogo de Chão
Fogo de Chão (fogo-dee-shown) is an internationally renowned restaurant that allows guests to discover what’s next at every turn. Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo elevates the centuries-old cooking technique of churrasco – the art of roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame – into a cultural dining experience of discovery. In addition to its Market Table and Feijoada Bar – which includes seasonal salads and soup, fresh vegetables, imported charcuterie and more – guests are served simply-seasoned meats that are butchered, fire-roasted and carved tableside by gaucho chefs. Guests can also indulge in dry-aged or premium Wagyu cuts, seafood a la carte, All-Day Happy Hour including signature cocktails, and an award-winning South American wine list, as well as smaller, sharable plates in Bar Fogo. Fogo offers differentiated menus for all dayparts including lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and group dining, plus full-service catering and contactless takeout and delivery options. For locations and more information about Fogo de Chão, visit fogo.com.

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About Debut Development Group
Debut Development Group is a developer, owner, operator and consultant for high-end hotels, resorts, restaurants, and entertainment venues, with worldwide experience and credentials. The Debut team has worked at the leading edge of hospitality for over 40 years and are known for fostering signature leisure experiences. Specializing in high-end brand relationships, the Debut group is associated with many premium resort, restaurant and entertainment concepts globally, including the Grand Hyatt Resort & Residences in Grand Cayman, the Cipriani Dining & Entertainment Complex in Abu Dhabi, and a forthcoming 300 key, 5-Star, major-brand resort in Tulum, Mexico.

Media Contact:                                                                         
FogoPR@icrinc.com

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