U.S. retail investor FAT Brands plans to expand the Fazoli’s label into Canada and open 25 of the quick-service restaurants across the country.

Los Angeles-based FAT announced that it will partner on the development projects with franchisee Briwin Restaurants. The first Canadian Fazoli’s franchise locations are expected to open in Alberta in 2025.

“Fazoli’s has enjoyed tremendous success expanding domestically, operating in 26 states with over 200 locations, and is now well positioned to make its international debut,” said Taylor Wiederhorn, FAT’s chief development officer.

Founded in 1988 in Lexington, Ky., Fazoli’s owns and operates about 220 restaurants in 27 states and ranks as the largest QSR Italian chain in the U.S., according to FAT.

The chain’s Italian-food menu offerings include include freshly prepared pasta entrees, sub sandwiches, salads, pizza, desserts and unlimited breadsticks. 

FAT stands for Fresh, Authentic, Tasty. Briwin already partners with FAT.

“At FAT Brands, we have a strong network of international franchisees that span across nearly all our restaurant concepts,” said Wiederhorn.

“We’re excited to have an experienced operator come from within our Fatburger franchise system and commit to launching and developing an additional FAT Brands restaurant concept in Canada. We are confident that expanding in Canada is a natural first step for Fazoli’s in becoming a leading global chain.”

Fazoli’s is among 18 restaurant concepts under FAT’s investment umbrella. In February, FAT announced plans to open 40 new Marble Slab Creamery shops across Canada under a partnership with the Calgary-based Canadian Ice Cream Company.

The expansion will increase Marble Slab’s Canadian footprint to 140 locations over the next decade.

Photo: Fazoli’s/FAT Brands