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Top 100: Restaurants - Giraffas

Giraffas ranks 24 in this year's Fast Casual Top 100: Movers & Shakers.

February 19, 2015

Giraffas ranks 24 in this year's Fast Casual Top 100: Movers & Shakers.

Brazilian and Latin American flavors unite at this Brazilian-born concept that entered the U.S. market in 2011. The concept offers healthful choices for family-style cuisine, serving Pichana, a special cut of meat giving steaks and burgers a more flavorful and delicious taste, said CEO Joao Babosa.

The concept operates 410 units in Brazil and nine in the U.S. He plans to have 14 American locations by the end of the year, and 200 by 2020. “Giraffas comes to the market offering a different cuisine from the traditional most popular styles in the U.S.,” Babosa said. “We try to bring some of the Brazilian experience like the music, the vibe, being casual, colorful and happy. We do a blend between Brazilian food and the food Americans are used to eating like steaks and burgers. We add our Brazilian twist to the overall experience.” 

Although U.S. Giraffas units are only in south Florida, that will change by 2015, said Barbosa. Plans are to open soon in Washington, D.C, New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Babosa's goal is to be present across all of North America within the next few years.