Canadian 'poutinerie' expanding to Phila. region

Jan 13, 2016, 8:33am EST

Kenneth HilarioReporterPhiladelphia Business Journal

Philadelphians searching for poutine — or French fries and cheese curds doused in gravy — will be able to find it a little closer to home when a Canadian chain specializing in the dish makes its way to our region this year.

Smoke's Poutinerie, known for its 30 varieties of loaded fries, has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement that calls for eight locations to open on the East Coast this year.

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Canadian chain Smoke's Poutinerie will be expanding in the Philadelphia market.

SMOKE'S POUTINERIE

The eight locations are part of the Canadian company's "global domination tour," which, in five years, has the goal of opening 1,300 stores around the world and 800 in the United States.

The company is still scouting East Coast locations, but the first is slated to open in the first quarter of 2016; there are no firm opening dates for the other seven locations.

One location is slated to open in Center City. Smoke's Poutinerie team is currently reviewing retail spaces, focusing on areas near colleges and universities throughout Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.

Smoke's Poutinerie inked the multi-unit deal with Imperial Restaurant Group, which owns and operates restaurants in the mid-Atlantic region.

Cousins — and South Jersey residents — Raj Rana and Balrup Hundal will manage the day-to-day operations and the growth of the brand on a local level.

“What we’re most stoked about is that there is nothing of its kind in this area,” Rana said. “The university scene is the perfect fit for Smoke’s Poutinerie. It is absolutely positioned the right way to become a marquee brand.”

A location in University City would be a fit for both the poutinerie and West Philadelphia since Smoke's focuses on that demographic, and the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University have both been upping their dining offerings in the past few years.

Well-known eateries in University City include Chef Jose Garces' Distrito, Chef Bobby Flay's Bobby's Burger Palace, Philadelphia restaurateur Dave Magrogan's Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar and national chain Shake Shack.

Smoke’s Poutinerie made its U.S. debut last year when it opened in Berkeley, Calif., near the University of California-Berkeley campus.

Smoke's also has locations in Hollywood in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. It also has more than 100 locations in Canada with 35 more slated to open.

The Canada-based Smoke's is known for its "1980’s glam rock vibe," and black and red plaid design. It started franchising in the United States in 2014.