Centro coffee shop chain to double by yearend

The Centro coffee shop chain is planning to expand by four more locations this year, two of which are outside Bucharest, Tinu Sebesanu, general manager of Trend Hospitality, a company part of the group that controls Centro told ZIARUL FINANCIAR. The chain will thus double the number of locations. “Two coffee shops will open in 2006 for sure, one of which in Bucharest,” says Sebesanu. Newly arrived on the Bucharest market, the Centro coffee shop network currently has four locations, among which are the five-star Howard Johnson hotel and the new Petrom headquarters on Calea Dorobantilor. “My vision was to build a coffee shop network only in major cities. They will be placed in central, high standard locations,” says Sebesanu. He added the investment in a coffee shop amounts to 250,000 euros. Out of the four new coffee shops, two will be located in Bucharest (one on Calea Victoriei) and two outside the capital. “Centro is a local brand we developed and are now franchising it,” Trend Hospitality representative says. “The usual investment in a coffee shop stands at 100,000 euros. We invested 250,000 euros because we wanted quality materials, furniture and sound system,” Sebesanu stated. Under the circumstances, the investment in the four new locations will amount to about one million euros. “We only want eight coffee shops in the provinces, but some of them will be franchised,” he added.