Fuddruckers Fast Casual Restaurants Entering Colombia With New Franchise Partner Grupo Char’s

Houston, Texas-based Luby’s Fuddruckers Restaurants, LLC has finalized a new development agreement that will extend the fast casual hamburger restaurant group’s base in South America.  A partnership with Grupo Char’s calls for an initial restaurant opening in Bogota, following Fuddrucker’s South American debut in Santiago Chile, in December of last year.

According to Peter Tropoli, Chief Operating Officer of Luby’s, Inc., “We’re excited to make new inroads in South America with an established partner that not only has a strong track record in business, but also a desire to make a sizable impact in Colombia.”

Photo: Daniel Nieves – Grupo Char’s EVP, Lina Chaar – Grupo Char’s Director and Peter Tropoli – Luby’s, Inc. COO celebrate a partnership to bring Fuddruckers fast casual brand to Colombia at a recent press conference in South America. The event was also attended by Jeff Hamilton, Commercial Attache U.S. Embassy, Bogota, Colombia (PRNewsFoto/Fuddruckers)

Family-owned Grupo Char’s was founded approximately 40 years ago and operates out of Maracaibo, Venezuela.  Holdings include five automotive franchises and businesses in the tourism, hospitality, construction, finance, insurance and consulting industries.  The company employs 500 team members and supports more than 150,000 customers each year.

According to Grupo Char’s founder, Mounda Char, “We look forward to introducing the quality, reliability and attractiveness of Fuddruckers to Colombia, where dining out is becoming increasingly popular, and hamburger have become a staple.”

Since 1980, Fuddruckers features grilled-to-order burgers with fresh, 100% USDA premium-cut beef with no fillers or additives.  Sesame-topped buns are baked from dough made on-site throughout the day. Setting Fuddruckers apart from other fast casual hamburger restaurants, customers can customize their meal at the “Build Your Own” produce bar, which features toppings like tomatoes, lettuce, sliced onions, dill pickles, pico de gallo and cheese sauce.

Luby’s, Inc. (NYSE: LUB) operates restaurants under the brands Luby’s Cafeteria, Fuddruckers and Cheeseburger in Paradise and provides food service management through its Luby’s Culinary Services division.  The company-operated restaurants include 94 Luby’s Cafeterias, 71 Fuddruckers restaurants, eight Cheeseburger in Paradise full service restaurants and bars and one Bob Luby’s Seafood Grill.  Its 94 Luby’s Cafeterias are located primarily in Texas.  In addition to the 71 company-operated Fuddruckers locations, Luby’s is the franchisor for 107 Fuddruckers franchise locations across the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, Mexico, Italy, Chile and the Dominican Republic.  Luby’s Culinary Services provides food service management to 25 sites consisting of healthcare, higher education and corporate dining locations.