Romania was home to about 330 franchises with a total turnover of EUR 1.6 billion last year, up 45% compared to 2007, one of the last years of economic boom and the last for which data was made public, according to Ziarul Financiar.

The local franchises estimate a 10-13% increase in turnover this year, but the market is still underdeveloped compared to the Western markets.

"The companies in Romania posted a total turnover of EUR 250 billion, so local franchises contribute less than 1%. Outside Romania, the franchise concept is more developed. In France there are about 1,300 concepts, while in Romania, only 330," according to Paul Voicu and Raluca Stanciu, managing partners at consulting company Inventure Franchise Consulting, quoted by ZF.

editor@romania-insider.com