Since launching its first Canadian franchise in 2005, Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc.'s Fatburger has opened 11 locations in Western Canada, and will open a new restaurant early this year in Vancouver, marking the franchisee's third location in the Vancouver vicinity.

“We’re delighted to have such a wonderful franchise partner as Frank DiBenedetto of Frankie’s Burger Enterprises, Inc. and Ricky’s All Day Grill in Canada,” said Andy Wiederhorn, Chairman, Fatburger. “In only a short time we have launched a dozen stores in the region. Our quality menu provides a cost effective dining option that is extremely popular with our neighbors to the North.”

According to the information provided, Fatburger currently has franchise locations in Western Canada in such key territories as Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Prince George, White Rock, Kelowna and Greater Langley. DiBenedetto plans to open 6 more locations in the region in 2010, and 15 over the next three years.

Fatburger is, it says, committed to its global expansion strategy and currently has 16 locations outside the United States, in Canada, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, with plans to open over 40 more locations internationally over the next several years.

Founded in Los Angeles, California in 1952, Fatburger is a quick-casual, takeout and sit-down restaurant. The Fatburger restaurant chain has 96 restaurants in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Washington and internationally in Canada, Dubai, Hong Kong, Macao and Jakarta. Fatburger currently operates 32 company owned restaurants with franchisees operating the remaining 64 locations. Based in Santa Monica, California, the company is actively seeking new franchisees for available territories in the United States and Internationally. (kbp)