Canada-based restaurant chain Odd Burger has signed its first US Area Representative Agreement to open 20 new locations across Washington State.
This agreement has been signed with the commercial construction and franchise development company 5th Group Holdings.
The new locations will be developed over the next eight years.
According to Odd Burger, this agreement will help the restaurant chain strengthen its foothold in the US market while expanding its presence outside Canada.
Odd Burger CEO and co-founder James McInnes said: “The US market has always been our primary expansion target and we are now ready to open our first set of US locations.”
5th Group Holdings is operated and led by Luke Ceraldi, John Bowker and Clayton Gunner.
Ceraldi and Bowker are also developing two new Odd Burger locations in Victoria, British Columbia. The first of the two sites is located at 790 Fisgard Street, Victoria, and is expected to open later this year.
5th Group Holdings president Ceraldi said: “We are excited to be the first US Area Representatives and to lead Odd Burger's expansion into this key market.
“We see huge potential for the brand and can't wait for US customers to finally get a chance to enjoy all of the amazing food and customer experiences that Odd Burger has to offer.”
The restaurant chain is expanding its presence in the US through a territory development strategy, under which Odd Burger sells franchise development rights of a state to area representatives that have the expertise to assist in the local market.
Once selected, area representatives are responsible for securing franchise partners, helping with site selection and construction, as well as supporting other operational support activities for franchisees.
The area representatives will then receive a percentage of the franchise fee, development fees and certain recurring royalties on new operational locations in their respective regions.
Odd Burger is now looking for territory developers in other states, including Alaska, Delaware and Arkansas.
