Romanian fast-food chain counts 30 restaurants, eyes international expansion

The Romanian chain of fast-food restaurants Spartan announced it reached a network of 30 outlets with the recent openings in the cities of Piatra Neamț and Baia Mare, in Northern Romania. The company says it plans to expand throughout the country but also outside of Romania, aiming to reach 40 units by 2018. Developed by Romanian entrepreneur Ştefan Mandachi, Spartan is part of the Strong MND Corporation group of franchises. The restaurant chain counts 11 owned restaurants and 19 franchised one. The two newly–opened restaurants required a total investment of EUR 135,000: EUR 70,000 for the Baia Mare one and EUR 65,000 for the Piatra Neamț one. Both outlets are located in commercial centers: one in Vivo! Baia Mare (the former Gold Plaza) and the other in the Shopping City in Piatra Neamț, developed by NEPI. The latter reported sales of approximately RON 350,000 (EUR 78,000) in its first operating month. The restaurant chain was established in 2012 and has locations in Bucharest and in 18 cities throughout the country: Suceava, Arad, Brașov, Iași, Cluj, Timișoara, Botoșani, Galați, Brăila, Focșani, Târgu-Jiu, Craiova, Pitești, Turnu-Severin, Deva, Râmnicu Vâlcea, Baia Mare and Piatra Neamț. The turnover of the entire group, including the franchised restaurants, stands at EUR 14.5 million. It employs 200 people in the restaurants owned by Strong MND Corporation, and a total of 500 in the 30 restaurants in the chain. Spartan's main competitors on the fast-food market include international brands McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, as well as locally developed brands such as Dristor Kebap, Mesopotamia, Oro Torro, and others. Salad Box owners launch Pep & Pepper brand on Romania's fast-food market New Uncle John restaurant opens in Bucharest mall editor@romania-insider.com