SPECIJAL Dodjela franšiznih nagrada FBLA 2021.

Guest Dodjela franšiznih nagrada FBLA 2021.Hosted by Boris ŽivkovićMay 3, 2026

Dodjela franšiznih nagrada FBLA 2021.

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

Croatia’s franchising sector is expanding rapidly, with 220 systems employing over 17,500 people and a 20% annual growth rate. Yet, its full potential often remains underestimated, even by those who could benefit most. The inaugural Franchise Brand Leader Award aims to shift this perception, celebrating the entrepreneurs who are both driving this growth and navigating its unique challenges. This special episode gathers the first recipients and finalists of the FBLA 2021, offering a ground-level view of what it takes to launch, scale, and sustain a franchise in a developing market. From a 52-year-old established brand to a new venture that created its own category, these leaders share their specific decisions and hard-won lessons. The conversation explores why a proven model often outperforms starting from scratch, and the specific advantages and hurdles of building a franchise ecosystem. You will hear why some found a shortcut to market, and what it takes for a new concept to gain rapid traction.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

The Nextbike team initially aimed to build a 100% Croatian bike-sharing system but pivoted to a German franchise when local suppliers proved inadequate. If you want to skip the 'childhood illnesses' of a new business, sometimes a proven international franchise offers a faster route to market than building from scratch.

Kruna Josimović created her children's Escape Room as a franchise from the outset because the concept 'doesn't exist anywhere.' When you are defining a new category, building a franchise model from day one provides a framework for rapid replication and market definition.

Fast Review achieved 800 clients and 9 signed franchises in less than a year, growing 'faster than expected.' Rapid, demand-driven expansion is a powerful external validation of a new franchise concept, often more reliable than internal projections.

Marica Vidanović notes that a 'lack of legal regulation much hinders' the growth of franchising in Serbia, contrasting it with Croatia's more advanced market and its many national brands. Effective legal frameworks are not just bureaucratic hurdles; they are fundamental enablers for a robust domestic franchise ecosystem.

An award winner from a franchise established for 52 years in Croatia describes the country as 'fertile ground,' but stresses the need for more 'open arms' from authorities. Longevity in a market depends not just on brand recognition and marketing investment, but also on a supportive regulatory environment that welcomes and simplifies operations for investors.

Kruna Josimović highlights the 'turnkey' nature of franchising, offering a proven business model and 'someone else's mistakes that have been corrected.' The core value of a franchise isn't just the brand, but the accumulated know-how and the pre-made playbook that allows a franchisee to avoid common, costly early-stage errors.

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