Coffee Republic, one of the best-known coffee chains in the UK, has closed a master franchise contract with Kruss Holdings, which operates in Romanian real estate and retail, with a view to entering the local market. The agreement would allow Kruss Holdings to open both coffee shops in Romania, and to grant franchise rights to other operators, reads the Internet publication TMCnet.com. "Romania's recent accession to the European Union gives us confidence that we can benefit from an expected sustained economic growth," said Salim Thava, CEO of Kruss Holdings. A third such transaction for the British company, the sale of the Coffee Republic franchise rights for Romania, is part of the strategy of the British company to concentrate on developing Eastern European markets. The company's first international franchise will be opened in Bulgaria in July of this year. Numerous international coffee shop operators have rushed onto the local market over the past year. Costa Cafe, another British chain, entered the local market at the end of 2006, Starbucks opened its first coffee shop in Eastern Europe, in Bucharest, a month ago, and the opening of a Hard Rock cafe, held by an American chain, is projected to take place in the second half of this year.
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