Fogo de Chão, which was first announced for the Philippines in 2022 and opened in 2025, is marking its first year in the country with plans for further expansion.

During lunch on Aug. 14, ahead of its official opening on Aug. 18, the restaurant introduced diners once again to its signature Brazilian-style churrasco service. Among the cuts highlighted were the Alcatra, a longtime favorite, as well as lamb and beef ribs.

The Bistro Group, which brought Fogo de Chão to the Philippines, told BusinessWorld that it has served nearly 80,000 Full Churrascos since opening. The Full Churrasco option includes all 16 cuts of meat, along with access to the market table buffet.

“Year one performance delivered solid growth above initial forecasts and exceeded expectations. With nearly 80,000 Full Churrascos served in just 12 months, Fogo de Chão has quickly become one of the country’s premier, one-of-a-kind dining destinations. The enthusiastic reception of the concept proved that the Philippine market was primed for an elevated, and unique churrasco experience that only Fogo de Chão can offer,” a representative said in an e-mail.

The company said its customer base has included corporate and business diners, families, especially on weekends, and young professionals and foodies. It also said Bar Fogo on the ground floor has become a popular after-work destination for drinks and bar bites.

The restaurant attributed part of its local appeal to Filipino dining culture. “Filipinos love salo-salo (communal dining) and celebratory feasts like what we offer at Fogo. The Churrasco culture complements this social approach to dining. Fogo de Chão elevated the concept by shifting from quantity to quality (quality over volume),” the company said.

“Fogo’s Churrasco model breaks the mold of traditional self-service buffets by offering continuous tableside service and authentic Brazilian culinary specialties. The interactive element [guests’ control over when to ask for more servings] matches the relaxed nature of the way Filipinos dine. The Market Table showcases some dishes that are not normally found in other restaurant buffets like hearts of palm, imported pickled peppers, candied bacon, and traditional Feijoada, among others,” it added.

Since opening, the restaurant has made several changes to its offerings. Bar Fogo has been expanded with craft cocktails, signature Caipirinhas, and bar bites aimed at the post-work crowd, along with “Buy 2 and Get 1” drinks promotions and wine pairing evenings. Upstairs, it has also introduced a Single Cut Lunch option, which allows guests to choose one signature cut of meat with unlimited access to the Market Table.

The additions show how the restaurant is adjusting its format to broaden its appeal beyond celebration dining, while keeping the churrasco and Market Table experience at the center of the concept. Looking ahead, Fogo de Chão said it is focusing on maintaining operational standards and brand prestige while expanding strategically. “Plans are underway to open a branch in Okada Manila soon,” it said.

“We also would like to solidify our position for Fogo de Chão not just as a special-occasion restaurant, but as a top-of-mind choice for everyday premium dining.”

Fogo de Chão is located on the ground floor of Glorietta 4 in Makati. For reservations, call 8464-7230 or visit its Instagram account, @fogodechao_ph. — JL Garcia