European Journal of Service Management

The aim of this paper is to present the gastronomic franchise chains in Poland. This paper presents the development of the gastronomic market in Poland and the development of franchise chains in this sector. Despite the decreasing total number of catering establishments, the number of restaurants in 2014 increased by 16,58% compared to 2010. The sector is growing and attracting new investments and good future perspectives are foreseen.  Restaurants constitute the most lucrative segment of the catering market, generating almost 60% of the sector’s aggregate values. The catering industry, and in particular the fast food sector, have been key areas for business format franchising. Franchising is growing in significance in Europe and internationally. Consequently, franchising has become an established way of carrying out business. The number of catering brands that want to operate in the Polish market and develop through franchising programmes is still on the rise. Economy of scale is the main reason why entrepreneurs decide to cooperate in franchising regardless of the situation of the market, eg. in the form of better conditions of supply. Analysts forecast further expansion of restaurant facilities and gastronomic franchise chains especially in shopping malls, city centers, high streets and along important communication routes.