Finnish fast-food restaurant chain Hesburger has expanded its presence in Romania with the opening of a new restaurant in Brăila. 

The company has also unveiled its plans to open a new location in Bucharest's AFI Cotroceni, as reported in Romania-Insider.com.  

The efforts are part of Hesburger’s expansion plans in the country, which includes the opening of ten locations before the autumn of 2025, representing a total investment of €8m ($8.8m).  

The 70m² Brăila restaurant in the Brăila Mall food court involved an investment of €350,000 and created 20 jobs.  

The latest move follows Hesburger’s entry to the Romanian market in early 2024 with a restaurant in Râmnicu Vâlcea and another at Henri Coandă Airport in Otopeni, Romania in August the same year.  

Hesburger international development and marketing director Ieva Salmela said: “With three already active locations in Romania and a fourth very soon to be opened, we see a firm potential of continuous growth and already see a strong start for our operations here.  

“Our strategy continues to be highly focused on both providing a unique experience to our already loyal customers in Râmnicu Vâlcea, Brăila and Bucharest, and a continuous expansion in various cities in Romania over the next 12 months.” 

Founded by Heikki Salmela and his wife Kirsti Salmela in 1966, Hesburger began as a small operation in Naantali, Finland.  

It has grown into a family business with a presence in nine countries and more than 470 restaurants.  

Hesburger now has 274 locations in Finland, 51 in Latvia, two in Germany, 61 in Lithuania, 31 in Bulgaria, 52 in Estonia, seven in Ukraine and one in Poland.  

The company employs more than 6,000 people in Finland, with a global workforce exceeding 8,700.