With an annual sales increase of 26% between 1999 and 2005, the Romanian restaurant market has the leading place in the regional development, a study by Euromonitor unveils, as quoted in Cotidianul. According to the study, this marked reached two billion dollars in 2006.

Romania is also a "champion" in the amount of new location openings. During the analyzed period, the number of restaurants increased 17%, reaching a total of some 15,700 locations, still not enough for the entire populace, the same study reads.

"The market is still one of the smallest in Eastern Europe, but it is expanding quickly, mainly due to the economic development and better tourism", the analysts say.

The estimates for this market for the following years indicate an 11% growth, generated mainly by large cities, like Bucharest, Cluj and Timisoara. The grows is expected for both franchises, international and local brands.