Romanians take their coffee seriously and a now a an innovative local brand has been rewarded in an international competition.
The ‘ 5 to go’ startup that has branches dotted around Romania cities has won the silver medal in the best coffee chain in central and eastern Europe, beating international brands Costa Coffee and Starbucks.
The company was started by two entrepreneurs in 2015 and works on a franchise system.
It has 67 outlets in Romania, in Bucharest and 11 other major cities, according to its website.
Everything on the menu, from coffee, beverages and pastries cost 5 lei, just over one euro. There’s also a 5 to go Plus range of milkshakes and smoothies that costs more. Products are generally takeaway although some outlets offer customers the possibility of consuming inside or outside.
Coffee shops are small, an average of about 10 square meters with a minimalist design. Customers buy coffee and other products to take away.
The company was nominated in August for the Best Coffee Chain award from central and eastern Europe. It came second in a field of 18 at the European Coffee Symposium held in Dubai this week.
The brand makes its money from franchises.
Its website says it was created with “the desire to offer quality coffee-based products at a fair price and also to develop the area of street commerce in Romania.”
Romania has a big cafe and coffee culture.
