Fluffy Fluffy Frenzy: Handcrafted Japanese Pancakes Land in Orlando, Expanding Rapidly in the U.S.
A sweet taste of Japan has arrived in the United States. Fluffy Fluffy, a café renowned for its handcrafted Japanese-style souffle pancakes, made its U.S. debut in November in Orlando, Fla. In December, the brand opened locations in Frisco, Texas, near Dallas, and Duluth, Ga., near Atlanta. A Dallas store opening is planned in March.
Founded in 2018 in Canada, the brand, known internationally as Fuwa Fuwa (translated as “fluffy fluffy” in Japanese), began franchising in 2020 and now includes 30 locations abroad, in addition to the three U.S. locations and 20 more in development.
“We are thrilled to extend our reach into the South,” says Benson Lau, director of business development at Fluffy Fluffy. “The South is a rich tapestry of culture, and we are genuinely excited to immerse ourselves as part of it. We believe our unique experience and diverse flavors have the power to bring communities together, and we can’t wait to continue our growth in Texas, Georgia, Florida and beyond.”
Locally-Sourced Ingredients
Fluffy Fluffy pancakes are made with locally sourced milk and eggs and are free of artificial additives. Each souffle pancake is made fresh and begins with egg whites whipped into soft peaks, which is essential to the airy-light quality. The pancakes are cooked slowly at a low temperature for about 20 minutes, contributing to a texture that is extraordinarily soft and bouncy. Topped with a variety of fruits and house-made sauces, the pancake flavors include cookies and cream, crème brulee, matcha tiramisu and others, all presented artistically in desserts as gorgeous as they are delicious.
The Fluffy Fluffy all-day menu also includes savory croffles, a cross between a croissant and a waffle popularized in South Korea, which are topped with avocado, ham and cheese or salmon; burnt-top cheesecake inspired by the Spanish Basque burnt cheesecake; bite-sized, French-influenced macarons; roll cakes; specialty sodas, and signature Fluffy Blend coffees.
An open-concept kitchen contributes to the Fluffy Fluffy experience, enabling patrons to watch (and salivate!) as their indulgences are created.
Japanese Souffle Pancakes
Among the brand’s international franchisees are some who discovered the delicate souffle pancakes while traveling in Japan where pancakes are traditionally enjoyed with others as part of celebrations for good fortune such as wedding parties.
United Kingdom franchisee Hussein, who has an entrepreneurial background and hails from the Manchester area, says he became so addicted to the light and airy sweetness that he made a point of eating the pancakes daily while traveling in Japan. “When I returned to the U.K., I searched far and wide for the Japanese souffle pancake, and eventually I found Fuwa Fuwa in Toronto, and I wanted to bring it home to Manchester,” he says.
Alberta, Canada, franchisee Joe, who had a background in restaurants, says he wasn’t a “very big pancake person” until trying the Japanese souffle pancakes while living in Japan for about three years. He discovered Fuwa Fuwa after researching several franchise opportunities in Canada. In addition to the food and presentation, Joe was impressed with the corporate team. “The fit you have the franchisor is most important,” he says.
Franchise Excitement
“We’ve been eager to continue our growth into the United States,” Lau says. “We believe that the unique charm of Fluffy Fluffy, with its delectable Japanese-style souffle pancakes and commitment to creating special moments, will resonate with a wide audience throughout the states. As we embark on this exciting journey, we invite passionate individuals to join us in bringing the Fluffy Fluffy experience to even more corners of America.”
Led by a dynamic group of young entrepreneurs, Fluffy Fluffy offers a proven transferable operating system designed for quick service, high-quality products and efficiency. Comprehensive training and manuals cover all aspects of operations, marketing and management for franchise owners.
Franchisee Calix, whose store opened in 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, says the franchise team “took a very hands-on approach to helping me as a franchisee to achieve my goals. We worked very closely, bouncing ideas back and forth, and my ideas were never dismissed.”
Calix had restaurant experience, but says it isn’t essential. “As long as you are willing to learn, the franchisor is there to help you accomplish all your goals.” For more information about the Fluffy Fluffy franchise, visit https://www.fluffyfluffy.com/franchise.
