Fogo de Chão announced they are starting 2023 with 12 domestic and international leases and development agreements signed – with more in the works for later this year – that continue the brand’s strategic growth and development plans.
The announcement follows a successful 2022 for domestic and international growth as they opened new locations in premium markets like El Segundo, Calif.; Coral Gables, Fla.; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Queens, N.Y.; Reston, Va.; and Monterrey, Mexico, and signed franchise development agreements to enter Bolivia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Canada and the Philippines. The demand fueling Fogo’s international growth strategy can be credited to the brand’s continued year-over-year positive traffic results and a young, growing guest demographic. For nearly 45 years, Fogo has provided guests with authentic experiences rooted in discovery and continues to transform, innovating to fit guests’ needs.
New locations set amid high-traffic retail, mixed-use and hospitality destinations are slated to open in 2023 in the following cities (with plans to open more restaurants beyond this list by year-end):
- Brea, Calif.
- Emeryville, Calif.
- Huntington Beach, Calif.
- Thousand Oaks, Calif.
- Miami Dadeland, Fla.
- National Harbor, Md.
- Insurgentes, Mexico
- Bridgewater, N.J.
- Wayne, N.J.
- Providence, R.I.
- North Irving, Texas
- Lynnwood, Wash.
“At Fogo, we will continue our strategic growth plans in 2023 with leases and development agreements signed to open restaurants in new domestic and international markets,” says Barry McGowan, Chief Executive Officer of Fogo de Chão. “We are honored that the demand for our unique dining experience in both new and existing markets remains strong as we continue to grow our brand on a global scale. Where there is demand, we will expand, and we are thrilled to bring the culinary art of churrasco to more communities this year.”
The new restaurants developed in 2023 will showcase Fogo’s brand transformation with enhanced design and innovation platforms in a warm, timeless, approachable setting that complements each specific restaurant and their local community while honoring Fogo’s Southern Brazilian heritage. Guests can dine at an open-air churrasco bar while watching gaucho chefs display the culinary art of churrasco as they butcher, prepare and grill cuts of protein over an open flame. New and engaging social gathering spaces are layered throughout Bar Fogo and the dining room to further enhance the guest experience and ambiance by providing inviting, conversational areas to linger and enjoy. Dry aged meat lockers for in-house aging will display indulgent cuts such as a 32 oz. long bone Tomahawk Ribeye, aged for a minimum of 42 days for rich flavor.
In 2023, many new restaurants will include enclosed patios, rooftops and lounges, which are designed for unique dining occasions (including the Full Churrasco Experience) and provide added capacity year-round. Fogo will also continue to roll out its Next Level Lounge platform featuring an elevated bar experience for guests to relax with premium whiskey, bourbons and wines in a warm, relaxed setting – perfect for date night or an after-dinner gathering.
All new innovations and enhanced experiences will complement Fogo’s everyday offerings, including Weekday Lunch, Weekend Brazilian Brunch, Bar Fogo, Group and Private Dining, To-Go and Butcher Shop options in addition to Full-Service catering which includes on-site cooking with portable churrasco grills, gauchos and a curated dining experience.
