Business and Financial Hot Brands International Establishes U.S. Headquarters in Manatee County

BRADENTON – Hot Brands International (HBI), a restaurant company based in Toronto, Canada, has established its U.S. headquarters in Lakewood Ranch in Manatee County, Florida. Hot Brands International Inc. USA (HBI USA) plans to add 12 corporate office employees and will launch a new fast-casual concept in the region over the next three years, according to Sharon Hillstrom, president of the Manatee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

"HBI’s choice of Florida confirms that our state’s business climate is ripe for corporate headquarters establishment,“ said Gray Swoope, president & CEO of Enterprise Florida Inc., the state’s lead economic development organization.  ”This announcement is great news for Florida, and we look forward to having HBI as a member of the Manatee County business community.“

The Manatee Board of County Commissioners recently approved $12,000 in performance-based incentives, and the State of Florida also committed $48,000 to accelerate the company’s location and hiring. HBI USA is currently located in Lakewood Ranch.

The parent company owns several businesses worldwide that develop, own and operate ethnic and casual-dining restaurants in the United Arab Emirates and other countries throughout the world, including India. HBI has more than 800 employees worldwide.

”We are excited to launch our U.S. presence in Florida with a completely new concept,“ said Kanak Bal, HBI vice president of business development. ”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. People enjoy dining out and are increasingly more willing to branch out into ethnic food.“

”Much of the United States remains underserved in terms of healthy, contemporary and quick ethnic cuisine,“ Bal said. ”HBI looks forward to bringing our newest concept to the region.“

In addition to the corporate office positions, the new concept will require about 2,500 square feet of space and approximately 25 restaurant employees per unit, Bal said.

According to Bal, HBI’s Dubai operation is one of the fastest growing food-service companies in the region, with over 70 units under nine quick-service, casual-dining and fine-dining branded concepts. These restaurants include Indian, Chinese, Italian, Thai and Japanese cuisine and reflect the flavors and cultures of the countries they represent.

”Hot Brands International has more than 20 years of experience creating, launching and growing successful restaurant brands,“ said Hillstrom. ”The corporate office jobs and the prospect of multiple locations should deliver more employment opportunities for our community.“ The MEDC assisted HBI in applying for county and state incentives, while providing information on other business resources available to the company.

”The corporate office positions that HBI offers will pay at least 15 percent more than the county average wage. By carefully applying  performance-based incentives and providing efficient services to growing businesses, the Manatee Board of County Commissioners is accelerating job creation for local residents,“ said Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County administrator. A list of Manatee County's economic development incentives is available at www.mymanatee.org/econ_dev.