Sphera Franchise Group, the largest foodservice restaurant operator in Romania, marks a new stage of regional expansion by opening the first Taco Bell restaurant in Chisinau.
The new establishment required an investment of about 600,000 euros and was Sphera’s second opening in Moldova this year, after the KFC restaurant in Balti.
“Taco Bell’s entry into the Moldovan market marks a new stage in our regional development strategy. In almost nine years, we have built a solid network of 18 Taco Bell restaurants in 10 Romanian cities, utilizing a highly efficient operating model and a loyal community. This experience gives us confidence that the brand will also gain popularity in Chisinau, where we see significant growth potential. The Republic of Moldova is one of the most successful markets in Sphera’s portfolio and the investments we are making here reflect our long-term commitment to diversify and strengthen the Group’s presence in the region,” said Calin Ionescu, CEO of Sphera Franchise Group.
The expansion of the Taco Bell chain in Chisinau comes against the backdrop of significant growth of Sphera’s operations in the Republic of Moldova. In 2025, the local market showed the fastest growth within the group, with sales totaling 28.3 million lei, representing 1.8% of the group’s total sales and up 19.7% year-on-year. KFC Moldova’s operating profit reached 4.4 million lei.
“The opening of the first Taco Bell restaurant in the Republic of Moldova is a moment we have been waiting for a long time. Chisinau is a dynamic city with an inquisitive public open to new flavors, and Taco Bell meets this desire for unique culinary experiences. We are excited to offer Chisinau for the first time the Mexican dishes that have captivated millions of consumers around the world and to be closer to the local community with an energetic, young and relevant brand. After almost 18 years of KFC restaurants in Moldova, Taco Bell’s entry into this market is a natural extension of our commitment to this market,” added Costica Misaca, administrator of KFC and Taco Bell in Moldova.
Taco Bell opened in the food court of MallDova shopping center.
Sphera has been operating in Moldova since 2008, when it opened the first KFC restaurant in the MallDova shopping center. Subsequently, the network expanded: in 2015, a street branch of the establishment was opened, in 2024 – a restaurant in Port Mall, and most recently, at the end of March 2026, a branch in the city of Balti.
