Following its successful market entry in Vienna with a first location, POMMES FREUNDE is now initiating the next phase of its expansion efforts in Austria. The strategic objective foresees the development of a comprehensive network of locations in the coming years. In the long term, the company forecasts a potential for 20 to 30 branches across the entire Austrian market. This development is underpinned by the establishment of a dedicated local structure for market development, to ensure systematic progress.
Bernhard Kloucek was appointed on 1 August 2026 to be responsible for coordinating and implementing the Austrian expansion. Mr Kloucek, born in 1969, will take on the central task of site acquisition and serve as the primary contact for property owners, developers, centre operators, and brokers in Austria. Sebastian Petz, founder and managing director of POMMES FREUNDE, stated that the pilot location in Vienna had provided crucial insights and confirmed the market compatibility of the concept in Austria. The company is now aiming to build a sustainable long-term market, with Austria considered a promising growth market due to its geographical and economic attractiveness, as well as its high purchasing power. The increasing response from the real estate industry and potential partners reinforces this assessment. Mr Kloucek's expertise will drive the expansion in a targeted manner.
The primary strategy for the next three to five years involves establishing a robust network of branches in leading Austrian conurbations. In addition to Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck are particular focal points for expansion. In perspective, further state capitals and economically significant locations are to be added. The selection of sites is subject to specific criteria designed to ensure high footfall and visibility.
- —City centre and pedestrian zones
- —Train stations and central transport hubs
- —Shopping centres
- —High-street locations with heavy footfall
- —Locations with high tourist traffic and urban districts with high daytime and evening footfall
This expansion in Austria is an integral part of POMMES FREUNDE's overarching growth strategy. Austria offers favourable conditions for this step due to comparable consumer habits, similar gastronomic structures, and high purchasing power. Bernhard Kloucek emphasised the significant potential for the brand in Austria. He highlighted that successful market establishment depends critically on the selection of suitable locations. His ambition is to develop a long-term functional network of locations, rather than aiming for quick acquisition of as many sites as possible.
Responsibilities within the expansion process are clearly defined. Mr Kloucek is responsible for site acquisition and overseeing real estate-related negotiations up to contract signing. In parallel, the franchise team, led by Lea Kirchhof, is responsible for acquiring and supporting suitable franchise partners and concluding corresponding franchise agreements. The operations team then ensures onboarding and operational implementation for new partners. Through this segmented division of tasks, POMMES FREUNDE aims for coherent integration of real estate and franchise development to drive expansion in Austria in a structured and efficient manner.
