STRATEGIC PARTNERS
Canada's Smoke's Poutinerie has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement to open eight locations along the eastern seaboard of the U.S.
December 22, 2015
Canada's Smoke's Poutinerie has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement to open eight locations along the eastern seaboard of the U.S., according to a company press release. Each of the initial eight eastern U.S. locations are planned to open adjacent to the region's largest colleges and universities throughout the Philadelphia market, as well as New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, according to the release.
"There is no doubt that Smoke's Poutinerie will be an instant classic in the region," said Ryan Smolkin, founder and CEO of Smoke's Poutinerie and the brand's creative leader. "This is a massive arrival to the east coast — a testament to the strength of our brand."
Imperial Restaurant Group, a seasoned team of restaurateurs that has more than 25 years of ownership and operations experience in the mid-atlantic, will open the new locations. Cousins Raj Rana and Balrup Hundal, first-generation executives with the family-run company, will manage the day-to-day operations as well as the growth of the brand locally. They already oversee much of the family business' portfolio.
"What we're most stoked about is that there is nothing of its kind in this area," said Rana, who along with Hundal lives in south New Jersey. "The university scene is the perfect fit for Smoke's Poutinerie. It is absolutely positioned the right way to become a marquee brand."
Smoke's Poutinerie made its U.S. debut in Berkeley, California, near the University of California-Berkeley campus followed by a location in Hollywood, just off Sunset Strip, with plans to further expand across northern and southern California. Additional locations are open in Las Vegas, next to the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop made famous in the hit series "Pawn Stars" and in sports venues for the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena and Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena.
The forthcoming opening is part of the brand's "Global Domination" plan to open 1,300 stores worldwide and 800 in the U.S. in the next five years, riding on the wave of success it has achieved in Canada. It has 100-plus locations in Canada with 35 more to open, Smolkin said.
Additionally, Smoke's Poutinerie has strategies in place to open 725 non-traditional stores globally in the next five years at arenas, stadiums, colleges, universities, transportation centers, amusement parks, movie theaters and casinos.
Smoke's Poutinerie offers 30 varieties of poutine, from Philly Cheesesteak poutine with flat iron steak, roasted red peppers, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions and cheese sauce, to the double pork poutine with chipotle pulled pork and double-smoked bacon, as well as multiple vegetarian options, Rana said.
