2005-06-17
Under the communist regime coffee in Poland used to be a hot muddy drink served in a glass. It is not like that any more. As coffee bars have become trendy, the main operators started fighting for customers.
It is one of the fastest-growing segments in the catering business - number of coffee bars is growing by an impressive 30 percent a year. The main players on the Polish market are Coffeeheaven, Café Nescafé, Tchibo. So far among the large chains, Nescafé is the only company that relies on the franchising model. Future franchisees need to pass a qualification program and have access to, depending on the place and size of the branch, PLN 150-300,000.
Fortunately franchising is not reserved for large companies only. There are also dozens of individual cafes that have become very popular and profitable. Many of them (such as CAVA in Warsaw) start thinking of developing their business by opening new locations. They have already built their brand locally and to go franchise is one of the best possible ways of their development.
Source: Warsaw Business Journal
