Romanian café chain 5 to go has opened 40 new venues this year, bringing its total number of locations across the country to over 550. It has also started the process of opening two new coffee shops in Budapest, which bring the company’s total of outposts in Hungary to six.
“The current evolution of the number of locations is in line with the target set for the first part of the year: this is the pace needed to reach, or even exceed, 650 open coffee shops by December,” says 5 to go Co-founder Radu Savopol.
“Both locally and in neighbouring countries, we are testing the market, analysing trends and adapting our brand strategy and price positioning where necessary, in order to respond to the specific needs of shoppers and offer them an experience that is as pleasant and close to their expectations.”
Alongside the announcement of these new venues, this week 5 to go has also released its 2024 Q1 report. The company recorded a 48 per cent increase in sales in the first three months of the year compared to the same period in 2023.
Launched in 2015, 5 to go is the most accessed franchise in Romania, with its network currently covering 120 cities in the country. Its plan for the year ahead includes adding a further 35 Romanian cities to that total, and aims to strengthen its presence in foreign markets.
“I am happy to see the opening of the first 5 to go locations in Bulgaria, which we have been pursuing for some time, and in Hungary the plan is to be present with 10 cafes by the end of the year, if everything goes according to expectations,” says Savopol.