The FINANCIAL — The French bakery chain Entrée has opened its sixth shop in Tbilisi, new premises are located on Marjanishvili Square.
The FINANCIAL — The French bakery chain Entrée has opened its sixth shop in Tbilisi, new premises are located on Marjanishvili Square.
The shop is expected to serve the big number of customers according to the high traffic on the square. In addition Entrée plans to expand further yet this year.
The company is in negotiations with the Uptown Tbilisi complex by Rakeen over securing a space in Tbilisi Mall. Entrée had 27% sales increase in 2011 and 15% EBITDA increase compared with the previous year.
“Opening the sixth Entrée’s shop is a really big achievement,” said Jean Michel Charles, Partner of Entrée. “We have already invested about a million EUR in all six shops.”
“When we were opening our first cafe back in 2008 we already knew that we were creating an international brand and concept which would work successfully in Tbilisi as well as in any city around the world,” he explained. “Even in the first year we had offers of invitation from the Ukraine, Azerbaijan and some other countries to open Entree shops there. But we are not in a hurry. We consider each option regarding our business with great care which has always been to the benefit of Entrée, an international brand created by the combination of Georgian and French cultures.”
Out of the six Entrée shops the new one on Marjanishvili Square is the first and only one to be situated on the so-called “left bank” of the River Mtkvari. The company is trying to expand across the city.
“I’m glad that one more shop in Tbilisi has been opened by French investments,” said Monsieur Renaud Salins, the Ambassador of France in Georgia. “Entrée shops gained popularity with both Georgian and foreign customers from the very days of their opening. This is an excellent example of what a great concept can be created by combining aspects of Georgian and French cultures.”
“At the same time opening this sixth shop is proof that the business environment in Georgia is favourable. Georgia truly offers the best conditions to European entrepreneurs intending to start and expand business here,” the Ambassador added.
Entrée was recently awarded the nomination of Best Small Business by Mercury 2012, the annual Georgian business awards. In addition Entree was also recently awarded by the business awards Golden Brand 2012.
“Entrée is an excellent example of the successful operation of SMEs in Georgia,” said Vera Kobalia, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development. “The company chose the right direction to develop in. Entrée plans to expand its chain more this year. By the end of 2012 they will employ about 200 individuals in total, a significant number. I’m glad that SMEs are developing in Georgia as the future of Georgian economy is exactly in development of successful SMEs.”
The example of Entrée supports the entrance of more cafes of a totally new concept in the country. The coffee bars of Entrée are an original concept in Georgia due to their solid image of a smoke and alcohol-free establishment with high international standards for the whole family to enjoy.
Entrée also has its own, original take-out packaging for all of its products including its hot drinks, soups and salads which allow you to taste all of Entrée’s delicious and healthy products anywhere: at home, on a picnic, in the office or at one of Entrée’s very own coffee bars.
Entrée products are made using mostly French ingredients prepared by French bakers and confectioners. The cafes open at 8 a.m. which is very unusual for Tbilisi. The concept of a breakfast service isn’t particularly developed in Tbilisi yet. Entrée is one of the exceptions, however, by offering such a service. The cafes have many customers in the morning, those having their breakfast in the establishment or purchasing a hot beverage and some confectionary to take away with them. According to Mr. Charles the breakfast service is quite popular with the chain’s customers, especially with the foreigners that live in Tbilisi.
The annual turnover of the company in 2011 was 4.4 million GEL.
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