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LAKEWOOD RANCH — Hot Brands International, a Canadian chain of ethnic fast food and casual restaurants, announced plans to open a U.S. corporate office in Manatee County.
Toronto-based Hot Brands says it will hire 12 people to staff its new corporate office in Lakewood Ranch, which will be named Hot Brands International USA. It also plans to launch a new fast-casual restaurant chain in the region, according to a release from the Manatee Economic Development Corp.
Manatee County Commissioners approved $12,000 in performance-based incentives to lure the company. Enterprise Florida, the state economic development arm, approved $48,000 in hiring incentives.
“Hot Brands International has more than 20 years of experience creating, launching and growing successful restaurant brands,” Manatee EDC President Sharon Hillstrom says in the release. “The corporate office jobs and the prospect of multiple locations should deliver more employment opportunities for our community.”
Hot Brands International currently runs eight separate eatery brands, with the bulk of the locations in Saudi Arabia and India. The chains include Japanese, Indian, Chinese, Italian and Thai food. The firm has more than 800 employees worldwide.
“We are excited to launch our U.S. presence in Florida with a completely new concept,” HBI Vice President of Business Development Kanak Bal says in the release. “While our global headquarters is in Canada, this will be our first restaurant venture in North America. Florida is a great incubator for new restaurant concepts because of its demographic makeup.”
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