Chernomorka

"Chernomorka" is a Ukrainian seafood restaurant chain established in 2013. The chain is currently expanding both within Ukraine and into Europe.

History and Development The idea for the network was born when the chain's founder, Olga Kopylova, received a gift of Black Sea fish from a friend in Crimea. This moment was the starting point of a great history. Initially, it was just an idea to bring seafood to Kiev, with Kopylova selling the fish she received from her friend while working as a waitress/manager. The business grew and after the annexation of Crimea in 2014, the company started sourcing fish from Odessa fishermen and eventually set up its own fishing operations, including boats and nets.

Over time, "Chernomorka" has grown from a simple idea into a large enterprise that now includes

- Own fishing activities.

- More than 200 partners between restaurants and supermarkets.

- Unique gastronomy projects.

- A network of restaurants in Ukraine and Europe.

The network has seen significant growth, as shown in the graph on page 7:

- 2013: 1 restaurant.

- 2016: 1 restaurant.

- 2020: 18 restaurants.

- 2025 (Forecast/Target): 65 restaurants.

A total of 65 open operations and 16 under construction facilities were mentioned in the presentation. The brand has been operating in the fish market for 13 years. The company operates under the slogan "The sea that is always with you".

Mission, Values and Concept The mission of "Chernomorka" is to expand the horizons of taste by making seafood accessible and understandable, inspiring culinary experiences and ensuring that customers always receive fresh and high-quality products. The core value is the goal of fresh fish on every table. The aim is to achieve a leading position in the market so that everyone, regardless of their location, can enjoy quality, fresh and healthy fish.

The core competitive advantage and concept revolves around fresh fish selected from the showcase and simple cooking technologies that preserve the flavor. The process includes:

- Control of the cold chain from sea to plate.

- An open "fish showcase" that forms the basis of the sale.

- Simple technological maps for speed and scale.

- A dynamic "catch of the day" menu.

- Linear unit economics.

- It's content that drives sales, not the other way around.

This approach ensures consistent quality, affordable prices and fast service. Many "Chernomorka" businesses operate in a mixed format, both as a restaurant and as a shop where fresh fish and seafood can be purchased.

He has received many awards, including the following:

- (Palm Branch in the Restaurant Industry) 2017, 2019 and 2020-2021 (Bronze).

- "Choice of the Year" as Best Fish Restaurant in 2019.

- National Award for "Сіль" (Salt): Silver for "Opening of the Year" for "Оселедцева" (Herring) and "Best Fish Restaurant" for "Чорноморка" Finalist in the category of

- "Effie Awards" (Marketing Communications): Gold for "Чорноморка Онлайн" (Chernomorka Online).

The chain is expanding geographically with branches across Ukraine and in Europe.

Terms of Cooperation/Franchise Terms of cooperation (franchise) include:

- Franchise fee: €30th000.

- Royalty: 5% of monthly turnover.

- Marketing contribution: 2.5%

The company also outlines the responsibilities of the "Launch Team", which focuses on ensuring optimal conditions, implementing the concept, complying with technical standards, providing high quality service, guaranteeing smooth operation in the first months and fully preparing the local team. Areas of support include site selection, legal procedures, design, staff recruitment/training, finance/investments, procurement/supplier relations and launch/operational control.

The "Chernomorka" restaurant chain uses a well-defined franchise model for its rapid domestic and international expansion, leveraging a concept based on the quality, freshness and accessibility of seafood. The franchise is offered under the brand name "Chernomorka" (and derivatives such as Czarnomorka or Černomorka) and other related brands.

Basic Concept for Franchising

The model is based on a distinctive and scalable restaurant concept centered around the "fish showcase". This showcase serves as the main point of sale, allowing guests to visually select the fresh fish and seafood they want. This concept guarantees

1st Freshness and Quality: The company guarantees product quality by claiming to control the cold chain from the sea (through its own fishing activities) to the plate.

2nd Simplicity and Speed: Cooking technologies are intentionally kept simple to maintain speed, consistency and scalability across the network.

3rd Dynamic Menu: A constantly updated "catch of the day" menu increases interest and utilizes fresh, available stock.

4th Store-Restaurant Format: Most locations function as both a casual dining venue and retail store, allowing customers to purchase fresh produce for their homes and maximizing revenue streams.

This system is designed to provide linear unit economics, a model in which costs and profits scale predictably, making the franchise offer attractive to investors.

Financial Conditions and Investment

The presentation summarizes the key financial obligations for potential franchisees:

- Franchise Fee: 30th000 € (one-time payment for the right to use the brand and business model).

- Royalty: 5% of monthly turnover.

- Marketing Contribution: 2.5% of monthly turnover.

The total investment (CAPEX) required to open a new branch is quite high and includes the costs of branch renovation, equipment and initial working capital.

Comprehensive Support: Launch Team

An important component of the "Chernomorka" franchise model is the comprehensive support provided by the Launch Team. This team ensures that the new restaurant is opened in strict adherence to the brand's standards and operational procedures. The support covers all stages of establishment and initial operation and minimizes risks for the franchisee.

Areas of full support include:

- Finance and Investment: Assistance in calculating the individual business model and attracting investments.

- Law and Location: Assistance with property selection, lease/purchase agreements and legal documents.

- Design and Construction: Present a ready-made design project that reflects the brand's maritime aesthetic and oversee construction and repair work.

- Operational Setup: Assistance with the entire setup of the restaurant, from equipment installation to IT infrastructure.

- Supply Chain (Procurement): Establishing reliable supply routes and building relationships with approved suppliers, including access to the company's own fresh seafood supply.

- HR and Training: Full support in the recruitment, selection and comprehensive training of the entire local team to ensure high quality service and compliance with simple technological processes.

- Launch and Control: Direct support during the opening phase (trial opening and grand opening) and monitoring of operational efficiency in the first months to guarantee a smooth and profitable operation.

The aim of the Launch Team is to implement the entire concept, ensure that technical standards are met and guarantee the smooth operation and profitability of the business in its first months, thus making the franchisee a successful representative of the "Chernomorka" brand.