In the case of Caru’ cu Bere, the weight reaches 37%.
“Caru’ cu Bere is a destination in itself for foreign tourists,” explains Petrescu, who controls, together with several Romanian entrepreneurs, a group of 15 units under City Grill, City Café, Trattoria Buongiorno, Hanu’ Berarilor and Caru’ cu Bere brands.
“We will open the 16th unit of the group under Trattoria Buongiorno brand this year”.
He adds the space will be rented, just like most spaces where the company is present. Of the total 16 spaces, only four are owned by City Grill group. “We want to buy some of the spaces we do not own”.
As a matter of fact, the entrepreneur says he also wants to buy one or several competitors, namely large restaurants or chains of several units.
“We’re looking on the market for several takeover targets and we’re also in talks to open restaurants under our own brands”.
Petrescu and his partners have so far focused on Bucharest, but they’re now also looking at other large cities, led by Cluj.
“We will not close down any other unit, but we will not launch any new brand, either,” says Petrescu.
Today, City Grill group, operated through several companies, has revenue of above EUR16 million. “For this year, we’ve budgeted a 12% increase, similar with that of 2013, but after the first months we believe we were too conservative. A consumption pickup can be noticed, as well as an economic rebound, which I can see in several key sectors”.
As regards the net profit margin, Petrescu says it stands below 15%.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)