Lagardère Travel Retail has introduced a sub – franchise program with the aim of expediting the expansion of its licensed Costa Coffee business in Poland.
In February 2023, the global travel retailer was appointed as the master franchisee of Costa Coffee in Poland and Latvia, taking over the operations of the UK – based coffee chain’s 142 stores across these two European countries. After closing underperforming locations, Lagardère Travel Retail currently manages 115 stores in Poland and 10 in Latvia.
According to a press release from Paris – based Lagardère, the company intends to leverage the experience it has amassed from franchising its own So! Coffee chain in Poland to grow Costa Coffee. The first new Costa Coffee outlet run by a sub – franchisee in Poland opened at the end of February 2025 at the Focus Mall in Piotrków. This outlet is co – located with the kids’ soft – play chain Klub Fikołki.
Agreements for three more sub – franchised Costa Coffee outlets have already been inked. One of these is a second dual – branded store with Klub Fikołki in Bydgoszcz.
Maciej Gajkowski, the Managing Director of Foodservice at Lagardère Travel Retail Poland, stated, “Venturing into the sub – franchising sector marks the start of a new era in the development of Costa Coffee, bringing fresh opportunities for expansion and potential partnerships. Through our years of experience in developing the So! Coffee franchise, we’ve formulated an effective strategy that balances support and franchisee autonomy.”
Lagardère Travel Retail also operates licensed Costa Coffee stores in the Czech Republic, Austria, and Belgium. In the 12 – month period ending on 31 December 2024, the travel retailer witnessed a 15.8% year – on – year sales growth, reaching €5.8 billion ($6 billion). Its annual EBITA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortization) increased by 7% to €258 million ($270 million). The company’s comprehensive foodservice portfolio consists of over 1,600 proprietary and licensed outlets located in 250 airports and train stations across 30 markets.
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