Fatburger Accelerates Florida Growth with 40-Unit Development Deal
FAT Brands (NASDAQ: FAT), parent company of Fatburger, has announced a significant expansion in Florida through a 40-unit development deal with existing franchisee Whole Factor Inc. The agreement spans a 10-year period and will include new markets such as Jacksonville.
This expansion builds upon Whole Factor's previous 14-unit development deal from 2021, which has already resulted in two successful locations in Riverview and Celebration. The next location is scheduled to open in Orange Park near Jacksonville later this year. This growth initiative marks Fatburger's continued success in Florida following its return to the state after a 20-year absence.
FAT Brands (NASDAQ: FAT), società madre di Fatburger, ha annunciato una significativa espansione in Florida tramite un accordo di sviluppo per 40 unità con l'attuale franchisee Whole Factor Inc. L'accordo copre un periodo di 10 anni e includerà nuovi mercati come Jacksonville.
Questa espansione si basa sul precedente accordo di sviluppo per 14 unità di Whole Factor del 2021, che ha già portato a due sedi di successo a Riverview e Celebration. La prossima apertura è prevista a Orange Park, vicino a Jacksonville, entro la fine dell'anno. Questa iniziativa di crescita rappresenta il continuo successo di Fatburger in Florida dopo il suo ritorno nello stato dopo un'assenza di 20 anni.
FAT Brands (NASDAQ: FAT), empresa matriz de Fatburger, ha anunciado una expansión significativa en Florida mediante un acuerdo de desarrollo de 40 unidades con el franquiciado actual Whole Factor Inc. El acuerdo abarca un período de 10 años e incluirá nuevos mercados como Jacksonville.
Esta expansión se basa en el anterior acuerdo de desarrollo de 14 unidades de Whole Factor de 2021, que ya ha dado lugar a dos ubicaciones exitosas en Riverview y Celebration. La próxima apertura está programada para Orange Park, cerca de Jacksonville, a finales de este año. Esta iniciativa de crecimiento marca el continuo éxito de Fatburger en Florida tras su regreso al estado después de 20 años de ausencia.
FAT Brands (NASDAQ: FAT)는 Fatburger의 모회사로, 기존 가맹점주 Whole Factor Inc.와의 40개 지점 개발 계약을 통해 플로리다에서 대규모 확장을 발표했습니다. 이 계약은 10년 기간에 걸쳐 진행되며, 잭슨빌과 같은 새로운 시장도 포함됩니다.
이번 확장은 2021년 Whole Factor가 체결한 14개 지점 개발 계약을 기반으로 하며, 이미 리버뷰와 셀러브레이션에 두 개의 성공적인 매장을 오픈했습니다. 다음 매장은 올해 말 잭슨빌 근처 오렌지 파크에 개장할 예정입니다. 이번 성장 계획은 20년 만에 플로리다에 복귀한 Fatburger의 지속적인 성공을 보여줍니다.
FAT Brands (NASDAQ : FAT), société mère de Fatburger, a annoncé une expansion significative en Floride grâce à un contrat de développement de 40 unités avec le franchisé actuel Whole Factor Inc. L'accord couvre une période de 10 ans et inclura de nouveaux marchés tels que Jacksonville.
Cette expansion s'appuie sur le précédent contrat de développement de 14 unités de Whole Factor datant de 2021, qui a déjà donné lieu à deux sites réussis à Riverview et Celebration. Le prochain emplacement est prévu à Orange Park, près de Jacksonville, plus tard cette année. Cette initiative de croissance marque le succès continu de Fatburger en Floride après son retour dans l'État après une absence de 20 ans.
FAT Brands (NASDAQ: FAT), Muttergesellschaft von Fatburger, hat eine bedeutende Expansion in Florida angekündigt, und zwar durch einen Entwicklungsvertrag über 40 Einheiten mit dem bestehenden Franchisenehmer Whole Factor Inc. Der Vertrag erstreckt sich über einen Zeitraum von 10 Jahren und umfasst neue Märkte wie Jacksonville.
Diese Expansion baut auf dem vorherigen Entwicklungsvertrag über 14 Einheiten von Whole Factor aus dem Jahr 2021 auf, der bereits zu zwei erfolgreichen Standorten in Riverview und Celebration geführt hat. Der nächste Standort soll noch in diesem Jahr in Orange Park nahe Jacksonville eröffnet werden. Diese Wachstumsinitiative unterstreicht den anhaltenden Erfolg von Fatburger in Florida nach seiner Rückkehr in den Bundesstaat nach 20 Jahren Abwesenheit.
- Major expansion with 40 new locations planned across Florida over 10 years
- Existing locations in Riverview and Celebration have exceeded performance expectations
- Strategic market expansion into new territories including Jacksonville
- Building on successful track record with proven franchisee Whole Factor Inc.
- Extended 10-year timeline for complete rollout indicates slow deployment
- Only 2 locations opened out of previous 14-unit development deal since 2021
Insights
FAT Brands secures major 40-unit Florida expansion deal, significantly accelerating growth in a key market.
This 40-unit development agreement with Whole Factor Inc. represents a substantial acceleration of FAT Brands' Florida expansion strategy. What's particularly noteworthy is the scale and timeframe - this deal nearly triples their previously announced 14-unit development plan for the state, signaling strong unit economics at existing locations.
The press release specifically mentions that their Riverview and Celebration locations have "exceeded expectations", which typically indicates strong same-store sales performance and higher-than-projected returns on investment. This positive unit economics data likely gave both the franchisee and franchisor confidence to dramatically increase their development commitments.
From a franchise development perspective, expanding with existing franchisees rather than signing new operators is significant - it reduces risk and increases execution probability. Whole Factor Inc. already operates two successful Fatburger locations, giving them operational expertise and local market knowledge that should improve the success rate of future openings.
The geographical expansion into Jacksonville represents entry into Florida's most populous city, creating new market opportunities. The 10-year timeline suggests a measured rollout of approximately 4 units annually, which is an achievable development pace that balances growth with quality execution.
For context, this 40-unit agreement represents nearly 2% growth in FAT Brands' overall unit count of 2,300+ restaurants. While not transformative to the parent company's overall scale, it does significantly strengthen Fatburger's competitive position in Florida's quick-service burger segment, which has traditionally been dominated by other players.
Iconic Burger Franchise to Increase Footprint in State to Over 40 Restaurants
LOS ANGELES, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Fatburger and 17 other restaurant concepts, announces a new development deal with existing franchisee Whole Factor Inc., to open 40 additional Fatburger locations across Florida over the next 10 years, including new areas such as Jacksonville. Since 2021, Whole Factor Inc. has been steadily growing the Fatburger brand across the state with a 14-unit development deal to grow in the Orlando and Tampa areas, with two restaurants open to date in Riverview and Celebration.
“Two years ago, Fatburger made its return to the state of Florida after a 20-year absence, and we are not looking back,” said Taylor Wiederhorn, Co-CEO and Chief Development Officer of FAT Brands. “Our Riverview and Celebration locations have exceeded expectations with an incredible fanbase that loves our cooked-to-order burgers, fries, and hand-scooped milkshakes. Whole Factor is an excellent partner that understands what makes Fatburger such a unique, beloved brand, and their future growth will cement Fatburger as a key burger player in the state of Florida.”
“We are excited to grow Fatburger across the state with Whole Factor Inc., bringing our fresh, handcrafted burgers to more communities in the Tampa and Orlando areas in addition to entering the Jacksonville market,” said Spike Singh, Owner of Whole Factor Inc. “With a new store opening later this year in Orange Park near Jacksonville, we are eager to share Fatburger’s iconic menu and vibrant atmosphere with even more fans.”
Ever since the first Fatburger opened in Los Angeles over 70 years ago, the chain has been known for its delicious, grilled-to-perfection and cooked-to-order burgers. Founder Lovie Yancey believed that a big burger with everything on it is a meal in itself; at Fatburger “everything” is not just the usual roster of toppings. Burgers can be customized with everything from bacon and eggs to chili and onion rings. In addition to its famous burgers, the Fatburger menu also includes Fat and Skinny Fries, sweet potato fries, scratch-made onion rings, Impossible™ Burgers, turkeyburgers, hand-breaded crispy chicken sandwiches, and hand-scooped milkshakes made from 100 percent real ice cream.
For more information on Fatburger, visit www.fatburger.com.
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About FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands
FAT Brands (NASDAQ: FAT) is a leading global franchising company that strategically acquires, markets and develops fast casual, quick-service, casual and polished casual dining restaurant concepts around the world. The Company currently owns 18 restaurant brands: Round Table Pizza, Fatburger, Marble Slab Creamery, Johnny Rockets, Fazoli’s, Twin Peaks, Great American Cookies, Smokey Bones, Hot Dog on a Stick, Buffalo’s Cafe & Express, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Pretzelmaker, Elevation Burger, Native Grill & Wings, Yalla Mediterranean and Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses, and franchises and owns over 2,300 units worldwide. For more information on FAT Brands, please visit www.fatbrands.com.
About Fatburger
An all-American, Hollywood favorite, Fatburger is a fast-casual restaurant serving big, juicy, tasty burgers, crafted specifically to each customer’s liking. With a legacy spanning over 70 years, Fatburger’s extraordinary quality and taste inspire fierce loyalty amongst its fan base, which includes a number of A-list celebrities and athletes. Featuring a contemporary design and ambiance, Fatburger offers an unparalleled dining experience, demonstrating the same dedication to serving gourmet, homemade, custom-built burgers as it has since 1952 – The Last Great Hamburger Stand™.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the timing and performance of new store openings and area development agreements. Forward-looking statements reflect expectations of FAT Brands Inc. (“we” or “our”) concerning the future and are subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks, uncertainties and contingencies. These factors are difficult to predict and beyond our control, and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. We refer you to the documents that we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as our reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, for a discussion of these and other factors. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Erin Mandzik, FAT Brands
emandzik@fatbrands.com
860-212-6509
FAQ
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