The Quebec company Firebarns has just made a great breakthrough in France with the introduction of its hot sauces in Carrefour stores.
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By setting foot in the door of this food giant, Firebarns opens up a world of possibilities in France, as elsewhere in Europe.
The first bottles of hot sauce left last December and they will gradually arrive in all Carrefour stores. We are talking about 30,000 bottles for this first shipment.
“We are leaving for Paris next week. This will allow us to meet our brokers and go around to take the pulse to see how things are going over there,” said Frank Ménard, who is thrilled by this new challenge with his partner business, Pierre-Olivier Drouin.
Sirha
This trip to Europe will kill two birds with one stone, since the entrepreneurs will also be present at the largest food and catering trade show in the world (the Sirha) which is presented in Lyon from January 19 to 23 and which brings together nearly of 4000 exhibitors.
Entering the French market is a project that required almost a year of work.
“This is our first major international contract. We have entered into major agreements with Canadian channels, but this is the first time that we have tackled the international market. For us, this is a really big accomplishment. We come through the front door. »
enlargement
The markets of Belgium and Switzerland should follow quickly. With all this good news, the company will move forward with its project to expand its production plant in Saint-Étienne, in Lévis.
This project, which should cost around two million dollars, will increase the company’s facilities to 15,000 square feet.
This factory, which was inaugurated in 2020, is already too small. The kick-off will be given in February.
Firebarns has about twenty employees and has a forecast turnover for 2023 which was to oscillate between $5 million and $10 million.
The last few months have been very busy for Firebarns, whose products are now available across Canada. Over the years, the company has developed several products.
In addition to hot sauces, Firebarns offers BBQ sauces, condiments, spices, and more.
Sriracha remains the most popular product in the range.