Fogo de Chão
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Arri Coser, Jair Coser, Jorge Ongaratto, Aleixo Ongaratto |
| Headquarters | Porto Alegre , Brazil |
Area served | Brazil, United States (including Puerto Rico), Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Mexico |
| Products | Rodízio-style steakhouse dining (churrasco) |
| Owner | Bain Capital |
| Website | fogodechao |
Fogo de Chão, Inc. (; ) is a Brazilian dining chain that specializes in rodízio-style steakhouses, known as churrascarias. It was established in 1979 by brothers Arri and Jair Coser together with Jorge and Aleixo Ongaratto. The brand highlights Southern Brazilian culinary traditions, focusing mainly on churrasco—barbecued meats served with customary side dishes. Originating from Porto Alegre, the company operates more than 70 establishments as of 2023, distributed throughout Brazil, the United States (including Puerto Rico), Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Mexico.
Description
The name Fogo de Chão translates to "ground fire," a nod to the classic gaúcho technique of cooking meats over open flames. The restaurant delivers a comprehensive dining experience characterized by continuous service of fire-roasted selections such as beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and other varieties, complemented by either buffet or à la carte choices.
Situated primarily in bustling urban centers across the United States, individual locations typically encompass , featuring seating areas, a buffet-style salad bar known as the "Market Table," and an on-site bar called "Bar Fogo." The flagship venue in midtown Manhattan extends over three floors and includes private and semi-private rooms designed for special occasions.
The interior design focuses on creating a "warm and contemporary yet timeless" environment that elevates the guest experience. The company is actively updating older sites to reflect this refreshed design philosophy.
Beyond traditional dine-in service, Fogo de Chão has expanded its offerings to include popular menu items available for takeout, as well as options for pickup, delivery, and comprehensive catering services.
History
Arri and Jair Coser grew up on a traditional Southern Brazilian farm in the Serra Gaúcha, where they developed expertise in churrasco grilling. Their partners, Jorge and Aleixo Ongaratto, also come from ranching backgrounds in Rio Grande do Sul and gained early experience working at churrascarias in Rio de Janeiro. Combining their knowledge and skills, they opened the first restaurant—a wooden structure located in Porto Alegre—followed by a second establishment in São Paulo. Inspired by tourist interest, Arri Coser initiated international expansion efforts.
In 1997, the Cosers inaugurated their initial US location in Addison, Texas. Between 1997 and 2020, Fogo de Chão grew into a global brand with 57 restaurants across the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and the Middle East, with plans continuing for further expansion.
Ownership
In 2006, Brazilian private equity firm GP Investments acquired a stake in Fogo de Chão, which it later divested to the American private equity entity Thomas H. Lee Partners in 2012. The company initiated its initial public offering on the Nasdaq exchange on April 20, 2015, trading under the ticker FOGO until April 5, 2018, when Rhône Capital completed its acquisition. A major shift in ownership occurred in August 2023 when Bain Capital purchased Fogo de Chão for around $1.1 billion, representing a pivotal moment in the firm’s ownership evolution.
Other activities
In April 2019, Fogo de Chão collaborated with HerdX, an agri-tech firm based in Boerne, Texas, to deploy blockchain technology combined with digital tagging for tracking the origin of beef served at its restaurants. This project promotes transparency by enabling customers to scan a HerdX-issued QR code, providing detailed information about the ranch source of their beef and underscoring Fogo de Chão’s dedication to supply chain transparency and product authenticity. HerdX has also partnered with United Parcel Service to implement blockchain-verified beef shipments from Texas ranches destined for Japan.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Fogo de Chão locations in cities including Troy, Michigan and San Francisco joined forces with the non-profit organization No Kid Hungry to distribute meals to families facing hardship, hospitals, and other community institutions. This initiative highlights the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and community support during a challenging global crisis.
In popular media
Fogo de Chão made an appearance in Season 1, episode 2 of Amazon’s series The Boys. Additionally, it is referenced in Season 6 of Epic Rap Battles of History during the Vlad the Impaler vs Count Dracula episode.