Los Angeles-based Fat Brands is betting that Canadians want more frozen treats with the company's plans to expand its Marble Slab Creamery chain north of the border.
Fat Brands, which owns 18 restaurant brands that include Johnny Rockets, Fatburger and Twin Peaks, said it is partnering with Canadian Ice Cream Co. in a development deal to open 40 franchised Marble Slab locations in Canada over the next decade. The first of the new locations is slated to open by the end of 2024.
The deal will boost the number of Marble Slab stores in Canada to 140 from 100 locations today, according to a statement. Terms of the development deal were not disclosed.
"We are very pleased with the continued market growth in Canada" of Marble Slab, said Taylor Wiederhorn, chief development officer of Fat Brands, in a statement.
The expansion is just the latest by an American restaurant chain targeting growth in Canada. Two American retail sandwich chains — Jersey Mike's Subs and Jimmy John's — announced plans last month to expand into Canada, representing both brands' first international expansions.
The ideal space for a Marble Slab location is between 500 square feet and 1,800 square feet, according to the company's website.
Marble Slab was started in Houston in 1983 and introduced to Canada in 2003 in Calgary. The ice cream company now has stores across the country in British Columbia, Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia.
"We continue to expand the concept across Canada and the world," said Wiederhorn with Fat Brands.