Nathan's Famous takes steps toward more global expansion

NEW YORK – Nathan’s Famous Inc. recently announced new expansions, which include brick-and-mortar locations and sub-franchised locations in Brazil by the end of 2024. 

The company partnered with Alix Flit, Nathan’s Brazilian master franchisee, for more expansion in South America’s largest country. The brand currently has four brick-and-mortar franchised restaurants and 16 kiosks in convenience stores throughout Brazil. Flit also plans to launch Nathan’s products into retail locations nationwide starting in April.

“I tried my first Nathan’s Famous hot dog in Coney Island when I was nine years old while on a trip with my parents, and it was unlike anything I had ever had in Brazil,” says Alix Flit, Nathan’s Famous master franchisee in Brazil. “Before we brought Nathan’s Famous to Brazil, you couldn’t get a good hot dog here, but now, with Nathan’s, we are going to change the future of hot dogs in Brazil and create a new legacy.”

The hot dog maker also noted that it would open several virtual kitchen locations in the United Arab Emirates by the end of the year.

Nathan’s Famous currently operates globally, including opening a recent virtual kitchen in Belgium and France, multiple full-service franchised restaurants in Mexico City, and two franchised restaurants and a food truck in Egypt in 2023.

“We have seen an increase in consumer demand internationally for Nathan’s Famous and are looking to expand around the globe to meet that demand,” said Phil McCann, vice president of marketing at Nathan’s Famous. “Over the last year, we’ve created partnerships with master franchisees that have allowed us to grow quickly, but there is still additional consumer interest that we’d like to reach. Because of this, in 2024 we will continue to focus on our international presence, and we are thrilled to introduce the flavor of New York to new parts of the world.”

In other international expansion, Nathan’s Famous master franchisees in Great Britain, Reza Aghajanzadeh and Brad Armitage, currently have one location open outside of London and plan for a larger expansion in Britain. Additionally, the brand has partnered with a virtual kitchen partner to further expand in London through delivery.

Nathan’s Famous will open new franchised locations at the Punta Cana Airport in the Dominican Republic in 2024. It will also open domestic franchised locations in New York, Florida, Arizona, New Jersey and Indianapolis.