Serbia’s coffee chain Kafeterija to enter Romania with EU-backed expansion funding
<p>Kafeterija, a leading specialty coffee shop chain from Serbia, is set to enter the Romanian market as part of a regional expansion strategy financed by BlackPeak Capital, a Bulgarian investment fund supported by the European Union, <a href="https://startupcafe.ro/un-lant-de-cafenele-strain-se-pregateste-sa-intre-in-romania-dupa-o-finantare-de-la-un-fond-de-investitii-79655" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Startupcafe.ro</a> reported. The announcement was made last week, with the company outlining its intention to launch operations in Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary.</p>

<p>Founded in 2014 by Serbian entrepreneurs Zoran Stanojević and Marko Vukomanović, Kafeterija currently operates 53 locations across Serbia and Montenegro.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With the support of growth capital from BlackPeak Capital, the company plans to open 97 additional cafés, aiming for a total of 150 outlets across Southeastern Europe. The expansion will focus on flagship locations in high-traffic urban centers to maximize visibility and customer access.</p>

<p>The investment is intended to fuel both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. BlackPeak Capital stated that the funding will help Kafeterija consolidate its position as a regional leader in the specialty coffee segment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We are committed to expanding the unique coffee culture within Kafeterija while maintaining the highest standards of quality, service, and innovation,” said Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Zoran Stanojević.</p>

<p>Kafeterija’s entry into Romania will position it alongside established players such as 5 to go, Ted’s Coffee, Ganesha, Meron, and international brands like Starbucks. The company targets EUR 70 million in annual turnover by appealing to a growing consumer base seeking premium coffee experiences.</p>

<p>The upcoming expansion underscores a broader trend of regional food and beverage brands scaling across borders, supported by EU-backed financing initiatives aimed at bolstering economic integration and enterprise growth in Southeastern Europe.</p>

<p><em>iulian@romania-insider.com</em></p>

<p><em>(Photo source: <a href="https://www.dreamstime.com/">Franz1212/Dreamstime.com</a>)</em></p>