Strong MND Corporation Group is accelerating its expansion on the Romanian market and aims to open 5 new units under the Greek-themed brand Hercule by the end of this year, an investment estimated at approximately RON 4 million (around EUR 762.5 thousand). This phase is part of a long-term strategy that aims to develop a network of 100 Hercule restaurants over the next 5 years, through a mix of company-owned locations and units operated under a franchise system.
Currently, the Hercule network comprises 3 restaurants in Romania, located in Bacău, Huși, and Vaslui, of which one unit is directly managed by the company, and two operate under a franchise system. The expansion plan for the next five years envisages that approximately 80 units of the total target of 100 restaurants will be developed together with local entrepreneurs under a franchise system. The franchise fee for a Hercule unit is EUR 8,900, while the total investment to open a location is estimated between EUR 150 thousand and EUR 200 thousand.
Florin Sorescu, General Manager of Hercule, highlighted that the Romanian HoReCa segment is showing signs of maturity, a fact confirmed by the more than 200 restaurants opened annually under a franchise system. The official added that the model aims to capitalize on the significant potential of niche concepts and the growing interest of entrepreneurs in already validated business models, with the goal of transforming Hercule into one of the most important Romanian Greek-themed concepts.
The current development and expansion of Hercule Greek taverns are coordinated by the Strong MND Corporation group, the same legal entity behind the Spartan restaurant network. Although the Hercule brand was initially founded by Suceava-based entrepreneur Ștefan Mandachi, he currently has no connection to the business. Following a major transaction of over EUR 20 million finalized in early 2023, Mandachi fully sold Strong MND Corporation, along with its portfolio of registered trademarks (including Spartan and Hercule), to a group of private investors consisting of the network’s main franchisees. The most significant investors are entrepreneurs Remus Cosovanu and Răzvan Nanuș, who were already previously involved in the chain’s development. Therefore, the new Hercule restaurants are launched and managed exclusively under the current leadership of Strong MND Corporation.
In addition to the Spartan and Hercule brands, Strong MND Corporation’s portfolio also includes concepts such as Tyranozaur and Wokfull. Spartan is the largest Romanian chain of Greek-themed fast-casual restaurants under a franchise system in Eastern Europe, with 58 units nationwide (25 company-owned and 33 franchised) in over 25 cities and a team of over 1,000 employees. Gabriel Melniciuc, CEO of Spartan Restaurants, highlighted that Hercule represents a strategic pillar of long-term growth for the group, standing out for its flexibility, adaptability, and an agile development model that could allow it to outperform Spartan.
The Strong MND Corporation group reported a turnover of over RON 270 million (approximately EUR 51.47 million) across the entire network for the year 2025, serving around 4.5 million customers. Out of this amount, approximately RON 145 million (around EUR 27.64 million) was generated by company-owned locations, while franchised restaurants brought in approximately RON 125 million (around EUR 23.83 million).
During 2026, the company accelerated its investment pace. Recently, Spartan opened a new unit in Shopping City Râmnicu Vâlcea, a project with an estimated investment of around RON 1.5 million (approximately EUR 285.9 thousand). Additionally, in the first months of the year, the group invested in launching the Spartan Sigma restaurant in Cluj-Napoca and modernizing the unit in City Park Mall Constanța. By the end of 2026, the strategy plans for the opening of six company-owned restaurants and at least four new franchised units.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the franchise fee for a Hercule restaurant?
The franchise fee for a Hercule unit is EUR 8,900, with the total investment required to open a location estimated between EUR 150,000 and EUR 200,000.
Who currently owns the Hercule brand?
The Hercule brand is owned and managed by Strong MND Corporation, which was fully acquired in 2023 by a group of private investors, including Remus Cosovanu and Răzvan Nanuș, from founder Ștefan Mandachi.
What is the expansion target for the Hercule network?
Hercule aims to expand to 100 restaurants over the next 5 years, with approximately 80 of these units planned to be developed under a franchise system with local entrepreneurs.