Wendy's and other large US chains set sights on Czech market

U.S. fast food giant Wendy's and Rave Restaurant Group, which owns the Pie Five and Pizza Inn chains, are eyeing expansion into Czechia following a meeting with representatives of the U.S. embassy in Prague on Wednesday. The biggest hotel franchise company in the world is also seeking inroads into the Czech Republic.

Wendy's, the third-largest hamburger chain in the world, hopes to find a franchisee who can bring its offerings to the Czech market. At present, Wendy’s has no branches in the EU, although operates over 7,000 branches worldwide. Prague may also see new quick-service restaurants such as Pie Five and Pizza Inn crop up. Although these chains have no presence in the EU, they have around 300 branches spread across the U.S. 

Fast food chains are not the only businesses looking to expand in the Czech Republic. The world’s largest hotel franchise company, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts – including over 20 hotel brands such as Baymont, Days Inn, and Travelodge – is also seeking franchise operators in the country, according to the U.S. embassy.

As well as looking to expand in the capital, Wyndham manager Meg Lagodzińska said that the company is eyeing locations outside Prague, such as mountain resorts or spa towns.

In addition, U.S. company Mobile Outfitters, which specializes in mobile phone accessories such as protective films, is also looking for franchise partners in Czechia.

This news follows several high-key entrances from U.S. chains in the past 12 months. The most notable is Louisiana-based fast-food company Popeyes, which opened its first Czech branch on Wenceslas Square last November – to queues of hundreds of people waiting to get a taste of Popeyes chicken – and is due to open its next store at Prague’s Máj department store this spring. Popeyes has heralded its maiden Czech store as a commercial success.

Last summer, U.S. pizza chain Domino’s opened its first-ever Prague branch, with another expected to open in 2024. Later this year, popular U.S. fast-food chain Five Guys will open its maiden branch in the center of Prague – also in the Máj department store.

This expansion of U.S. businesses into the Czech Republic shows the country's growing economy and increasing demand for international brands – though consumers in Czechia may ask questions regarding the lack of local produce and potentially high prices.