4 Brands Growing Across the Globe

Around the globe, operators are nearing year-end on high notes.

Here are four brands’ latest announcements regarding international development:

• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Dickey’s owner/operator Muhammad Faisal, a franchisee in Canada, has announced plans to build out over 30 more locations across Greater Toronto. “We started at a responsible pace with Muhammad to ensure he felt comfortable with a bespoke development plan,” says Jim Perkins, executive vice president of international development for Dickey’s. “It soon became evident to Muhammad that he had the capacity and infrastructure to do more than he had originally planned. We sat down, agreed to modify his existing development, only to receive a request three months later for additional locations. We are mapping out Toronto and beyond and look forward to what the near future holds for this fantastic partnership.” The first Canadian Dickey’s opened in April 2022, and the brand has over 700 restaurants worldwide.

• Hooters: On the heels of opening a handful of locations with a franchisee in Mexico, the American wing joint says it has made international growth “a centerpiece of its overall growth strategy.” Today, about 18% of the brand’s locations are international, and it has identified Europe, Southeast Asia and India as “prime target markets.”

• California Pizza Kitchen: The brand’s dreams now expand far beyond California, as CPK has opened its 24th international locale in the Philippines. The newest franchise location joins two others owned and operated by Pi Co., the operator behind the brand’s first international franchise established in 1999. The new CPK location, however, distinguishes itself as the first in the Philippines to offer extended operating hours as well as breakfast options; it also showcases the brand’s latest design package, with refurbished wood and more. CPK says it remains on the lookout for more growth within the market, building upon its existing locations. Its website mentions international opportunities in North America, Asia, Central America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Russia and New Zealand.

• Joe & The Juice: Last month, the 360-unit brand announced General Atlantic as a new majority shareholder, with a deal expected to close by the end of the year. Once complete, the brand’s international expansion efforts will be able to ramp up. The Copenhagen, Denmark-born brand says part of General Atlantic’s fresh investment will be used to reduce debt on the company’s balance sheets and focus on an unlevered store rollout in key international markets, capitalizing on global customer demand for convenient, healthy food. The company says it sees growth opportunities in the U.K. and Europe, Middle East, Asia and Latin America, as well as the U.S., where it has roughly 70 stores. Joe & the Juice also plans to accelerate franchising worldwide, having established 23 franchised stores in the Middle East region.