Fatburger and Round Table Pizza have never operated in Utah, but Los Angeles-based FAT Brands (parent company to the two concepts) and franchisee Blacksheep Hospitality Group are setting their sights on the Beehive State for rapid expansion of both through co-branded locations.
FAT (which stands for “Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.”) Brands announced that the new development deal will add a total of 12 of these outposts to Utah over the next six years, with the first unit set to open in 2025.
The first co-branded unit of Round Table and Fatburger opened in Texas in October 2023, and the company reports that thanks to its initial success, franchisee demand has been high. The following April, a deal was announced to add Fatburger to 40 existing Round Table Pizza locations in Northern California.
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“Since debuting the Fatburger and Round Table Pizza co-branded pairing last year, we now have over 50 plus units in the development pipeline,” said Taylor Wiederhorn, chief development officer of FAT Brands. “This momentum can be attributed to the model’s success right out of the gate in Texas. Shelby Jobe and his team opened the first co-branded store in Texas, and we are confident that he will be just as successful in expanding the concept throughout Utah with Blacksheep Hospitality Group.”
Both Fatburger and Round Table Pizza bring decades-long foodservice histories to the mix. Since its founding in 1959, Round Table has proclaimed itself “Pizza Royalty” for its made-from-scratch dough, topped to the edges of the crust with ingredients like hand-sliced vegetables and the brand’s signature three-cheese blend. With more than 410 restaurants across the United States, Round Table’s mission is to “celebrate community, family, and making merry.”
Meanwhile, the first Fatburger opened in Los Angeles more than 70 years ago, and today customers can customize its cooked-to-order burgers with multiple patties and specialty toppings like bacon and eggs. The Fatburger menu also includes Fat and Skinny Fries, Turkeyburgers, hand-breaded Crispy Chicken Sandwiches, and hand-scooped ice cream Milkshakes.
Parent company FAT Brands is a global franchising company that acquires, markets and develops fast casual, quick-service, casual and polished casual dining restaurant concepts around the world. It currently owns 16 restaurant brands, in addition to Round Table Pizza and Fatburger, including Marble Slab Creamery, Johnny Rockets, Fazoli’s, Twin Peaks, Great American Cookies, Smokey Bones, Hot Dog On a Stick, Buffalo’s Cafe & Express, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Pretzelmaker, Elevation Burger, Native Grill & Wings, Yalla Mediterranean, and Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses. In total, it franchises and owns more than 2,300 units worldwide.
