Fritaire Launches in Canada

Fritaire, the innovative appliance brand founded by Andreas Hansen and Irie Hansen, announces its Canadian expansion. Fritaire has already gained traction across the United States and Europe for its design-forward approach to healthier cooking technology.

"Fritaire was built to challenge the idea that convenience has to come with compromises. We wanted to raise the standard for what people expect from the tools they use every day," said Andreas Hansen, CEO. The products are packed with innovation for ease of use and most importantly, safety for consumers with the first non-toxic glass, self-cleaning air fryer in the market. Non-toxic air fryers avoid chemical coatings like PTFE and PFAs that can leak into food at high heat. Fritaire was the first brand to address these concerns. Through product redesign, eliminating chemical coatings in favour of the glass bowl chamber. It doesn't stop there, the Fritaire air fryer also has a rotisserie, a self clean function and is available in various fun colours.

Recognized as one of Canada's most influential executives in the premium appliance and luxury kitchen sector, Gisela Mussen joined Fritaire as a strategic partner, bringing decades of market expertise to support the brand's growth in Canada. Her involvement marks the next chapter in a career defined by building and scaling globally recognized appliance brands within the North American market. "This brand is thoughtfully designed with safe consumption, as the heart of its focus. Consumers are looking for products that also consider their wellness and safety," says Gisela Mussen. "Fritaire has done just that and brought groundbreaking innovation, and design to a category that really needed it. Not just beautifully designed products but clean, safe and functional."

As General Manager of Smeg Canada, Mussen led the company's national expansion strategy, retail development, operational infrastructure, and brand positioning across both the national retail and multi residential segment. Under her leadership, Smeg grew into one of the most recognizable European appliance brands in Canada, establishing partnerships with major retailers, designers, developers, and luxury residential projects nationwide. During her tenure, she positioned Smeg at the intersection of design, culture, and lifestyle, including the creation of their flagship store on Bloor street as well as the high-profile local collaboration that elevated the brand, like OVO, the globally recognized lifestyle brand co-founded by Drake.

With Fritaire, Mussen is now focused on introducing a new generation of consumers to products that combine innovation, wellness, performance, and elevated design. Her leadership in the Canadian market is expected to accelerate the brand's growth across retail, e-commerce, and strategic partnerships nationwide.

Known for identifying emerging consumer trends and creating strong market positioning for premium international brands, Gisela Mussen continues to shape the evolution of the Canadian appliance industry through strategic brand building, cultural relevance, and entrepreneurial leadership.

For more information: fritaire.com.

From the print edition

As featured in The Canada Magazine, June 2026 issue.

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