Romanian coffee bar brand 5 to go opens its first international location in the French capital. More units are planned in cooperation with Donuterie.
Launched in 2015, 5 to go currently has more than 250 locations in Romania, giving it a market share of almost 40 percent. The concept is based on a fixed price concept. This means that each product, whether coffee drinks, soft drinks or baked goods, is offered at a price of 5 Romanian leu, which corresponds to around 1 euro. However, there is a plus range with products that exceed the standard price of 5 leu for example the house coffee, smoothies or milkshakes. In France, there is a fixed price with a simple tiered approach, from 1 to 5 euros.
The first unit outside Romania opened in early June in cooperation with Donuterie, a donut concept with 17 units in Romania and seven abroad, in France, Belgium and the UK.
"We believe in the power of our business model and the power of our brand. 5 to go is an experience that supports the needs of the modern consumer: simple solutions, simple process, importance of proximity, fair price for consistent quality. I am delighted that we have taken the first step in Europe and I am confident that we will succeed in writing our success story in more and more markets," said Radu Savopol, co-founder of 5 to go.
Plans for the French market include the opening of four more units, in Le Havre, Le Mans, Bruges and another in Paris, also in partnership with Donuterie. Expansion in France is to continue in the second half of the year with a local master franchisee. The focus is mainly on small and medium-sized cities, with a target of ten units in the first year.
Another international market will follow first in July: the first 5 to go coffee bar in the UK, in London. Again, together with Donuterie as a partner and the fixed price model approach. "This partnership is mutually beneficial and provides us with the basis to further expand the business by offering each other complementary consumption options," explains Dan Olteanu, founder of Donuterie.