Romania’s largest coffee chain is seeking to attract new franchisees with a low-cost mobile cart model as it seeks to reach 1,000 sites in its home market
5 to go is Romania’s largest coffee chain with approximately 600 stores | Photo credit: 5 to go
Romania’s 5 to go has launched a mobile cart concept to accelerate franchise expansion across the country.
The Bucharest-based coffee chain said the 5 to go Espresso model will provide a higher level of accessibility for franchisees due to its low investment cost and short set-up time.
In a press release, 5 to go said the design will enable it to operate in locations with limited commercial space and on an ad-hoc basis for events. The mobile concept will serve a streamlined range of hot and cold coffee.
“This is a concept whose large-scale launch we have been preparing for some time and maximises the potential of underutilised spaces, facilitates access to new markets, and allows us to reach a broader range of consumers and entrepreneurs. We estimate that in 2025 we will sell between 20 and 40 5 to go Espresso commercial trailers, and over 50 in 2026,” said Lucian Bădilă, co-founder, 5 to go.
Founded in 2015, 5 to go is Romania’s largest coffee chain, with approximately 600 stores. The value-focused operator, which also operates a handful of sites in Hungary, Bulgaria and Moldova, is seeking to reach 1,000 stores across Romania within the next few years.
In December 2024, 5 to go agreed to sell a 60% majority stake to private equity firm INVENIO Partners and growth capital provider Accession Capital Partners (ACP). As part of the deal, co-founders Bădilă and Radu Savopol lowered their stake in the coffee chain from 65% to 25%. Existing partner Mozaik Investments decreased its shareholding from 30% to 10% with local businessman Andrei Alecu retaining his 5% stake.