While traditional Czech pubs have faced challenges since the COVID era, fast food establishments and bistros are experiencing remarkable growth, now representing 12-15% of all food service establishments in the country.
Burger joints and Asian bistros are leading this growth trend, with both the number of these establishments tripling and their revenues more than doubling over the past five years, according to Vladimír Sirok, director of analytics at Dotykačka.
The market is set to become even more competitive with the entry of global chains. While Popeyes currently operates four locations with a fifth coming to Brno, established players like KFC and McDonald’s maintain a strong presence with 135 and 127 locations respectively. McDonald’s plans to add ten more locations this year.
Industry experts attribute this success to lower operational costs, smaller retail footprints, and young entrepreneurs leveraging modern technology and marketing tools. These establishments also cater to society’s increasing demand for speed and convenience.
Looking ahead, experts predict increased competition in major cities, particularly Prague, which is expected to drive innovation and help maintain stable prices as new players like Wendy’s and Five Guys prepare to enter the market.