Fuddruckers Heads South

One of the first fast-casual better-burger operations is growing its Caribbean footprint. Fuddruckers opened its first unit in the Dominican Republic in January. The Santo Domingo restaurant, sited in one of the capital city’s new upscale malls, merges the chain’s classic roadhouse design scheme with local colors and images, and includes 100 interior seats and terrace seating for 75. Houston-based Fuddrucker’s has 62 company-owned stores and 117 franchise units, and is part of Luby’s Inc., which also operates 93 Luby’s Cafeterias and 20 Cheeseburger in Paradise units.