The leading quick-service restaurant chain ROSTIK'S KFC announced the opening of its 100th QSR franchise restaurant in the city of Ufa in Russia.
ROSTIK'S KFC - is a strategic alliance formed in 2005 between Rostik Group and Yum! Brands. It has already grown to 154 outlets and operates in 24 cities of Russia and the CIS. 65% of the network is owned and operated by independent franchisees.
The brand has had tremendous appeal to consumers and in combination with world-class franchise systems and support provided to franchisees, it has seen fast growth of ROSTIK'S KFC franchise. Since 1998, when the first franchised restaurant opened in Moscow under the ROSTIK'S brand it has continued to enjoy great success.
The chain intends to launch 7 more restaurants by the end of this year, 4 of them to be opened under franchise agreement: 2 in Saint Petersburg, 1 - in Moscow, and 1 - in the new market of the company's geography - Moldova (in Kishinev). During 2008 the chain will grow by 34 restaurants, 20 of which are franchise. In total there will be 161 restaurants in Russia and the CIS by the end of 2008.
ROSTIK'S KFC has ambitious plans to continue expanding its franchise network coverage in Russia and the CIS to cities such as Saratov, Volgograd, Yaroslavl, Ryazan, Lipetsk, Sochi, Kemerovo, Tomsk, Novokuznetsk, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Barnaul, Voronezh, Orenburg, Belgorod, Nizhniy Tagil, Kursk, Penza.
Nick Hluszko, General Director of ROSTIK'S KFC:
"Development and support of our franchise business is one of the key priorities for the company, as it provides us an opportunity for effective and rapid business development. We have a proven business model and a brand that has great appeal in the market which provides for a successful formula. We have a strong, existing franchisee network with many long-term partners who continue to grow and expand. Next year our franchise family will continue its growth as we plan to find reliable partners almost in 20 cities of Russia".