DALLAS — Brazil-based international restaurant Fogo de Chão announced 12 international leases and development agreements to kick off 2023. More locations are anticipated for later in the year.

The new restaurants are slated to open in Insurgentes, Mexico, and across the United States in California, Florida, Texas, Washington, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Maryland.

“At Fogo, we will continue our strategic growth plans in 2023 with leases and development agreements signed to open restaurants in new domestic and international markets,” said Barry McGowan, chief executive officer of Fogo de Chão. “We are honored that the demand for our unique dining experience in both new and existing markets remains strong as we continue to grow our brand on a global scale. Where there is demand, we will expand, and we are thrilled to bring the culinary art of churrasco to more communities this year.”

The upcoming restaurants will showcase Fogo’s brand transformation with enhanced design and innovation in a setting that is complementary to the community it is in while representing Fogo’s Southern Brazilian heritage. Many will feature enclosed patios, rooftops and lounges. Fogo will also continue to offer its Next Level Lounge platform, which the restaurant describes as an “elevated bar experience for guests to relax.”

When dining at Fogo’s open-air churrasco bar, customers can watch gaucho chefs in the culinary art of churrasco as they butcher, prepare and grill cuts of meat over an open flame. Guests can also admire Fogo’s in-house dry aged meat lockers that display aging cuts like a 32 oz long bone Tomahawk Ribeye, aged for a minimum of 42 days for rich flavor.

Its everyday offerings include Weekday Lunch, Weekend Brazilian Brunch, Bar Fogo, Group and Private Dining, To-Go and Butcher Shop options. Its full-service catering brings gaucho chefs on-site for a curated cooking and dining experience with portable churrasco grills.