Franchise development agent agreement signed with Toronto-based Labreche Group for GTA/Ontario market
VANCOUVER, BC, July 2, 2019 – FDF Restaurant Brandz, parent company of Famoso Italian Pizzeria + Bar today announced plans for major expansion in Ontario, 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 Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.
The announcement comes as FDF Restaurant Brandz marks one year since acquiring Famoso Inc. on May 31, 2018. According to Frank Di Benedetto, chief executive officer and owner of FDF Restaurant Brandz, the anniversary represents an exciting new chapter for the brand. The company is targeting to expand Famoso by 20 new locations in Western Canada alone over the next five to six years, which is a projection of 3-4 openings per year in the West. At the time of press, FDF announced that 7 new locations are opening before June 30, 2020 – already surpassing projections with this significant growth.
“Ontario, specifically Toronto and the GTA, is a key market for Famoso’s expansion and development as a national brand,” explains Di Benedetto. “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, Ontario, the Labreche Group is a natural fit to work with us as franchise developers to expand Famoso’s presence in this dynamic market.”
The Labreche Group is headed by Ontario-born brothers Dean and Chad Labreche, who own and actively manage both existing Famoso locations in Ontario: Toronto – The Annex and Waterloo Town Square. Their third restaurant, located in Barrie, is currently under construction and set to open in 2019. 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 square-foot space, is based on Famoso’s proven menu, and offers a lower investment in combination with quick table turns to maximize profitability.
“We have spent the last few years carefully building successful Famoso restaurants in Toronto and Waterloo, and are now ready to begin expanding the business and the brand in Ontario,” said Dean Labreche. “Our development team is poised for growth and we have no doubt that new locations in this region will bring success to enthusiastic entrepreneurs ready to join our team.”
Labreche Group is actively recruiting new franchisees for expansion efforts in the Ontario market, with franchise startup costs of approximately $650,000 to $700,000 for a Famoso Italian Pizzeria + Bar and about $375,000 to $425,000 for a Famoso Pronto. To inquire about franchise opportunities, please visit famoso.ca or email partner@famoso.ca.
# # #
About FDF Restaurant Brandz: FDF Restaurant Brandz is one of the country’s leading privately held restaurant franchise companies. Founded, owned and operated by Canadian restaurateur and franchise developer Frank Di Benedetto, FDF Restaurant Brandz is the proud 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, Fatburger Canada, and Famoso Italian Pizzeria + Bar, with franchise restaurant locations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. The company has 10 new Fatburger Canada locations, 4 new Ricky’s and 3 new Famosos opening in 2019 bringing the total number of FDF Brandz restaurants to approximately 190 locations.
About Famoso Italian Pizzeria + Bar: Started in 2007, Famoso is an authentic replication of Italian Pizzerias direct from Napoli, Italy. The Famoso concept is focused on high-quality authentic ingredients including tomatoes imported from the Campania region, fior-di-latte mozzarella, highly-refined ’00’ flour from the Napoli region, and imported meats like chorizo-style sausage, capicola and prosciutto. Famoso is the neighbourhood pizzeria and bar where you’ll find a fun and vibrant atmosphere any day of the week. It’s where great food and good friends make the perfect ingredients for a memorable night. Inspired by the energy of an authentic Italian pizzeria, at Famoso you’ll find the delicious flavours of both authentic Neapolitan and New York Sicilian Style thick-crust pizza, fired in special bell-shaped ovens imported from Italy, and signature Italian dishes including tapas, pastas, salads and gourmet panini sandwiches. All served with a perfect selection of wine, craft beer and cocktails. Visit Famoso online at famoso.ca