Sphera Franchise Group, the largest food service group in Romania, reported consolidated sales of RON 754.5 million in the first half of 2026, up 1.2% compared to the same period of the previous year.
The second quarter of 2026 was marked by a challenging consumer environment, influenced by political uncertainty and fiscal changes. During this period, the Group recorded restaurant sales of RON 376.6 million across its three operating markets, down 1.6% compared to the same period of 2025.
Normalized profit for H1 amounted to RON 13.7 million, representing a 22.6% decrease compared to the same period of the previous year, while normalized EBITDA reached RON 52.5 million, remaining broadly stable compared to the first six months of 2025, with a margin of 7%.
“This year, we have taken concrete steps in areas that will shape Sphera’s next stage of development. We brought Taco Bell outside Romania for the first time, to Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, added wagamama to our portfolio, and continued to test new development opportunities and formats, including Romania’s first KFC Delivery Carry Out restaurant. At the same time, we take action where performance does not meet our objectives by optimizing the Pizza Hut network. In this way, we are building a more diversified and balanced portfolio, with investments directed towards the brands, markets and formats where we identify potential for development and long-term value creation”, said Călin Ionescu, CEO, Sphera Franchise Group.
Romania remained the Group’s most important market, generating sales of RON 648.2 million in H1 2026, up 1.5% compared to H1 2025. During the same period, Italy contributed RON 90.3 million, down 3%, reflecting less favorable market conditions and the impact of the closure of two units. Meanwhile, the Republic of Moldova recorded the strongest growth within the Group, with sales increasing by 18% in H1 2026 compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching RON 16 million. This performance was supported by the contribution of newly opened restaurants and the reopening of the Chisinau MallDova restaurant, following its relocation.
At brand level, KFC remained the Group’s core pillar, generating sales of RON 647.4 million in H1 2026, up 0.9% compared to H1 2025. Taco Bell continues to be the fastest-growing brand in the Group’s portfolio, with sales increasing by 11.3% in H1 2026 compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching RON 55.7 million, supported by the contribution of restaurants opened over the past twelve months. Pizza Hut contributed RON 50 million, down 6.3% compared to the same period of the previous year, as the brand continued to operate in a challenging environment for the casual dining segment. Cioccolatitaliani generated restaurant sales of RON 1.4 million, reflecting the gradual development of the concept following the opening of its second unit in Italy.
From an operational perspective, the Group continued to expand its network during the first six months of 2026. Thus, in Q1 2026, Sphera opened four new restaurants: a KFC unit in the Centro Piave shopping center in San Donà di Piave, Venice province, Italy, a KFC restaurant in M Park Titan in Bucharest, Romania and another KFC restaurant in Bălți, Republic of Moldova. The Group also opened a Cioccolatitaliani unit in Genoa, Italy.
In Q2 2026, the Group opened a Taco Bell restaurant in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. As of June 30, 2026, Sphera Franchise Group operated 176 restaurants: 111 KFC restaurants in Romania, 4 in the Republic of Moldova and 18 in Italy, 22 Pizza Hut restaurants in Romania, 18 Taco Bell restaurants in Romania and one in the Republic of Moldova and two Cioccolatitaliani restaurants in Italy.
Following the end of the reporting period, the Group continued to expand its KFC network, opening the first KFC restaurant in Romania in the Delivery Carry Out format, in Popești-Leordeni, as well as a new drive-thru restaurant in Bran. The Group also opened two seasonal restaurants in Nibiru, Costinești: a KFC restaurant and a Taco Bell restaurant.