The traditional English community pub concept is enjoying a massive revival in America.
Canada's largest pub chainthis week unveiled plans to expand into the US by opening 100 Firkin-style venues firmly based on the idea of the "authentic local".
The Firkin Group of Pubs, a 40-unit chain based in Ontario, has formed a joint venture with franchise development company Fransmart to launch the ambitious three-year expansion plans in North America.
The company says the Firkin concept, originally launched in England in 1979 by pub supremo David Bruce, is a "timeless" favourite with customers, with start-up costs lower than other restaurant designs, flexible pub locations and easy conversions from existing space.
Marketing director Larry Isaacs said: "The concept of an English-style pub is untapped in the US market and has a great mass appeal."
The company currently operates 40 pubs in Ontario and Vancouver, each with Firkin in its name.
The pubs, which aim to be "casual and comfortable neighbourhood establishments" have darts rooms and menus featuring all-day breakfasts, fish and chips, and bangers, beans and chips as well as a range of draught beers and ales.
There is a brunch menu at some outlets and each pub offers eight different daily specials.
The Canadian Firkin chain generates nearly £22m in sales a year and with the expansion, sales are projected to grow to £110m to £133m in the next five years.
Firkin pubs has average annual sales of £577,000.
David Bruce, chief executive of Capital Pub Company and founder of the original Firkin chain, which he later sold to Allied Domecq, said: "I have a wistful smile on my face hearing that the Firkin concept is going to be reinvented in America.
"Good luck to them it certainly worked for me and I think it's something the Americans love at the moment.
Allied Domecq split up the Firkins and it's fascinating that after 20 years it has now caught on in the US.