Foodservice French fry cutter manufacturer aims at North American market

A UK company that manufactures machines that help restaurants make fresh-cut french fries is launching into the North American market with a small plant in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Hopkins has been operating as a restaurant-equipment manufacturer in the U.K., with a headquarters in Leeds employing 75 people, for more than 50 years. The Charlottetown operation will manufacture two types of french fry cutters, batter mixers and a high-efficiency fryer if approved by CSA.

Hopkins says he has already secured sales of french fry cutters to two Charlottetown restaurants and a North American-wide chain.

"I'm quite amazed that people are just doing it by hand," company CEO Chris Hopkins told CBC News. "It's so labour intensive."
 

The Hopkins french fry cutter can chop 25 kg of fresh potatoes into fries in less than one minute (Courtesy: CBC)

Hopkins claims its cutter is more efficient in staff time and in potato wastage. It will sell them for about $6,000.

Hopkins is convinced that the introduction of these machines in North America will lead to big growth.
 

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Video showing the gain in time and effeciency that can be made with the Hopkins (restaurant) peeler and french fry cutter (Source: Hopkins PEI)