Florida EB-5 Regional Center and Spoleto Brazil announce its partnership to provide an initial $25 million EB-5 investment opportunity within the restaurant industry. With two existing established Spoleto USA locations in Orlando, at the University of Central Florida and the Florida Mall, the partnership aims to grow the brand to 25 new locations throughout the Orlando metro area and 100 locations throughout the State of Florida.The Florida EB-5 Regional Center will offer up to 50 units of Membership Interests in EB-5 Spoleto Investors, L.P. for investors qualified to participate in the Employment Based Fifth Preference Immigrant Visa Program (the “EB-5 Program”). The Company has been formed for the sole purpose of making a loan to finance a portion of the costs of developing, constructing and operating of 25 new Spoleto USA restaurants in Central Florida. The Loan will be in the maximum amount of $25 million. The Project will be owned and controlled by affiliates of Spoleto Florida LLC.
The Florida EB-5 Regional Center, LLC has been approved as a designated EB-5 regional center for the State of Florida by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The EB-5 model was created in 1990 by Congress and developed under USCIS, a division of the United States Department of Homeland Security, to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. Under the EB-5 program, foreign entrepreneurs and their immediate family have a pathway to citizenship by making an investment in a commercial enterprise in the U.S, by creating a minimum of 10 local jobs for each $500,000 of investment within a designated Targeted Employment Area.
Grupo Trigo, a Brazilian entity, founders Mario Chady and Eduardo Ourivio continue their 24-year tradition of providing superior culinary experiences to customers in Brazil through their management of more than 360 Spoleto restaurants, 124 Domino’s Pizza restaurants (as that brand’s master franchisor in Brazil), 100 Koni Store restaurants, 8 GoKoni locations, and a new casual dining concept named Gurumę.
Grupo Trigo has also expanded into Mexico with 6 Spoleto restaurants and to Costa Rica with 2 Spoleto restaurants.
Grupo Trigo intends to continue this trend of growth by introducing the United States to the quality and delight that is Spoleto USA. In order to achieve the level of market penetration and economies of scale necessary to compete in a new region, Grupo Trigo is seeking EB-5 investors to join in, to Follow Spoleto to the U.S.A. The Project will benefit from the vision and experience of Grupo Trigo through its oversight of Spoleto USA, LLC, and Spoleto Florida LLC.
Spoleto USA concept combines the speed of fast-casual service with the sophistication of an Italian restaurant and gourmet-quality food. A choice of 30 authentic Italian-inspired toppings gives the customer the chance to create meals that inspire their palate. Customers can craft a pasta dish, flatbread or salad and interact, talk and laugh with the chefs of the restaurant to experiment with a variety of fresh ingredients in an open kitchen. Customers can choose to indulge in richer ingredients like meats and cheeses, as well as a full complement of fresh vegetables, whole grains and fruits. Spoleto USA has made it its mission to use ingredients in their simplest, most natural form, depending on daily deliveries of seasonal produce from locally owned farms. Spoleto sources produce that is nutrient-rich and organic when possible.
The name – Spoleto | My Italian Kitchen – captures the entire restaurant concept for each Spoleto location. Named in tribute to an ancient Italian city, which reflects Spoleto’s commitment to providing the sophistication of an Italian restaurant with gourmet-quality food. Spoleto invites dining patrons to transform the restaurant’s kitchen into their own. At Spoleto, the customer becomes the chef and directs the preparation of their meal. Each customer can choose from six types of pasta, or flatbread, or four types of salad greens.
Spoleto prepares each meal in full site of the patron utilizing the best ingredients available. Signature ingredients like Truffle Infused Mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, and salad dressings are all made in-house. Dishes are served on real porcelain plates and wood platters, not disposable paper products destined for a landfill.
The Fast Food Restaurants industry in the US is engaged in a prolonged transition away from anonymous and unhealthy products and toward higher quality, locally sourced, and ethically conscious menu items. While the convenience and low price offered by industry participants will likely remain popular indefinitely, consumer preferences are redefining what Americans think of when they think of “fast food.” Restaurants are offering an unprecedented level of choice to consumers along with healthier options.
Leading the Spoleto USA team, Mr. John Velasquez, is an experienced restaurant executive in the United States and internationally. Before becoming President of Spoleto, USA, John worked in International Development and Business Strategy for Domino’s Pizza in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Mr. Carlos Oliveira, Spoleto USA Financial Manager is a graduate in Economics of Fluminense Federal University in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He began working for Grupo Trigo in October 2009. Following his position as coordinator of financial planning in 2013, he was transferred to Orlando in 2014 to become Financial Manager of Spoleto USA.
Mr. Rodolfo Dana, Chief Financial Officer of Grupo Trigo, is responsible for the financial, IT and Legal facets of the Group. Mr. Dana joined Grupo Trigo as Financial Planning Manager in 2011 and became the CFO in 2013. Prior to joining Grupo Trigo, Mr. Dana worked at BroadSpan Capital, an independent investment banking firm that specializes in Latin America and Caribe, providing advisory for cross border mergers, acquisitions, financial restructuring and capital raising. Previously, Rodolfo worked at Icatu Harford, the Brazilian insurance arm of The Hartford Group. Mr. Dana is a CFA charterholder, and holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from PUC-RJ and a Specialization in Corporate Law from FGV-RJ.
Email contact: info@SpoletoEB5.com or Slater@FLEB5.com
