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Fogo de Chão debuts flagship design in Coral Gables, Fla.Fogo de Chão debuts flagship design in Coral Gables, Fla.

New two-story restaurant features Next Level Lounge and The Butchery grab-and-go market

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

April 27, 2022

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Fogo Coral Gables Architectural 0024

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Fogo Hospitality Inc., the parent to the 60-unit Fogo de Chão churrascaria fine-dining brand, has opened a new two-story flagship restaurant with a Next Level Lounge and The Butchery grab-and-go market in Coral Gables, Fla.

Plano, Texas-based Fogo, which late last year filed potential plans to return to the public markets, opened its latest unit in a high-rise building at 2801 Ponce de Leon, Blvd.in Coral Gables.

Developed with the design firm Harrison, the new restaurant features a 280-seat dining room and open-air churrasco bar, where guests can watch gaucho chefs butcher, prepare and grill different cuts of meat over open flames.

The new restaurant also features The Butchery, a grab-and-go market, and Next Level, an lounge l on the mezzanine level that allows guests to linger and discover premium whiskeys, bourbons and South American wines.

“What started in the foothills of Brazil over 40 years ago has now grown to become so much more than just a steakhouse, and with our new flagship destination in The Gables, we are reimagining how guests can discover the best of our brand beyond a traditional restaurant setting,” said Barry McGowan, Fogo de Chão CEO, in a statement.

“Our expertise in butchery and Brazilian hospitality are further enhanced by the addition of The Butchery and Next Level lounge,” McGowan said. “These newest features exemplify the unique experience our guests enjoy, giving everyone new ways to discover what’s next at Fogo each time they dine with us.”

Related:Fogo de Chão continues global expansion in 2022

Fogo enlisted Dallas-based global architecture and design consulting firm Harrison to develop the contemporary look that that will serve as inspiration for all other future Fogo restaurants, the company said.

“Understanding the origins and culture of the brand helped inform our design decisions in developing the contemporary aesthetic, selecting materials and the curation of artwork that proudly showcases Fogo’s one-of-a-kind history and modern dining experience,” said Keith Anderson, Harrison’s chief operating officer.

Fogo Hospitality Inc., the parent to the 60-unit Fogo de Chão churrascaria fine-dining brand, registered in November for a return to the public markets, filing a form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Fogo Hospitality was incorporated under the name Prime Cut Parent Holdings Inc. in February 2018 in connection with acquisition in April 2018 by the affiliates of Rhône Group LLC in a $560 million cash deal.

Fogo de Chão was founded in Brazil in 1979, and the brand opened its first U.S. location in Dallas in 1997.

Related:Fogo de Chão parent files IPO registration

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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