[Merged] PF Chang's Coming to Canada!!!!

[MSBP]

P.F. Chang's Announces International Expansion in Canada
Signs Agreement with Interaction Asian Restaurants to Develop P.F. Chang’s Restaurants Throughout Central and Eastern Canada
Business Wire
7:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time Apr 07, 2011
P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc. (NASDAQ: PFCB) today announced a long-term licensing agreement with Interaction Asian Restaurants L.P. to develop and operate P.F. Chang’s China Bistro in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. The first location is scheduled to open in 2012.

“We continue to selectively seek out great partners to help us extend the reach of P.F. Chang’s to additional countries around the world,” said Mike Welborn, President of Global Brand Development for P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc. “We are excited about our new relationship with Interaction Asian Restaurants and the opportunity to offer our P.F. Chang’s dining experience in Canada.”

“We are delighted to bring P.F. Chang’s to Canada,” said Michael Aronovici, President of Interaction Asian Restaurants. “We believe customers in Canada will love the quality of the food and high-energy atmosphere that P.F. Chang’s provides to its guests.”

About Interaction Asian Restaurants, L.P.

Interaction Asian Restaurants, L.P. is controlled by Michael Aronovici. Michael Aronovici is the President of Interaction Restaurants Group Inc., a restaurant management and holding company that has been operating in the Canadian restaurant industry for over 20 years. Under his leadership, Interaction has successfully been involved with four different restaurant and food service concepts, including Starbucks Coffee and Pizza Hut. Mr. Aronovici also serves as a board member for Prime Restaurants of Canada, Inc., a leading casual dining company in Canada and on the board of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association.

About P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc.

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc. owns and operates two restaurant concepts in the Asian niche. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro features a blend of high-quality, Chinese-inspired cuisine and American hospitality in a sophisticated, contemporary bistro setting. Pei Wei Asian Diner offers a modest menu of freshly prepared pan-Asian cuisine in a relaxed, warm environment offering attentive counter service and take-out flexibility. In addition, the Company has extended the P.F. Chang's brand to international markets and retail products both of which are operated under licensing agreements.


P.F. Chang’s
Media:
Rachel Gillman, 312-577-1759
rgillman@digcommunications.com
Investor:
Allison Schulder, 480-888-3000
allison.schulder@pfcb.com
or
Interaction Restaurants
Michael Aronovici, 514-846-7900 x231
maronovici@interactionrestaurants.com

[stealth]

In before the Asian cuisine "purists"


Seriously, looking forward to it, PF's is always a treat when we visit upstate New York.

[monty613]

never been here but i have always wanted to go solely based on that Towelie episode of South Park

[nalababe]

And you are excited by crap Asian fusion?

In cities like Toronto where you can get various Chinese from high end to low end...don't really see the excitement. Maybe for small town Georgetown....

When we are in White Plains NY, we often eat there (it is the "foreign" food option for many from the US), I have never ever been impressed.

[apcfan]

Love PF changs been to a bunch throughout the states... I've always thought the food was good, and the place is well decorated and has a really nice ambience... Glad one of the better chain US chain restaurants is coming here to canada

[Magoo]

Is this the same as Spring Rolls?

[gwu]

Is this the same as Spring Rolls?

More asian-y decorations, I'd say slightly higher quality food.
If they maintain their US roots, portions would be much larger.
Also, Spring Rolls is very Thai-based in their recipes.
PF Chang is much more "Chinese"

[originalnutta]

Can't wait to see the prices.

[biee]

Nice! I'm excited !!!

[champ91]

went to PF Chang's in Bellevue, absolutely terrible food.

The only good thing we had was the lettuce wraps. They over cook the vegetables so badly, I could crush it with my fork. I felt like it was food for seniors who can't chew. They overuse the sauces and often very sweet.

It's "Chinese" food for people who don't really know what Chinese food should taste like.

Not sure how it would do in cities where it's full of authentic asian foods. I'm not surprised that they are not planning to open in Vancouver. I see they are opening in Ontario, but will it be Toronto?

[callitasicit]

I heard that PF Changs is ****! Sounds like a chinese applebee's.

[neutral]

Well at least in Toronto, it seems westernized Chinese food is on the decline, so this would be welcomed in my eyes if they can produce a decent product.

[BobW]

PF Changs - Doing to Chinese food what Taco Bell did to Mexican food.

[DiceMan]

Sorry, I'm not terribly exited about this. Had PF Chang's many times when visiting reletives in North Carolina. Not that it's not competent fusion food, but from what's available in Toronto and Vancouver (more authentic Chinese/Asian), I don't see a market for this.

I'd say the Spring Rolls analogy above is a pretty good one; Spring Rolls is to Thai as PF Chang's is to Chinese. I suppose fusion can work (I kind of like Queen Mother's in Toronto for Thai) but I don't quite connect with it when it's Chinese food.

[raebmv24]

But Spring Rolls does well in Toronto! I'm going to guess that PF Chang's will have an audience as well.