Sphera Franchise Group, the largest restaurant operator in Romania’s foodservice industry, marks a new step in its regional expansion with the opening of the first Taco Bell unit in the Republic of Moldova. The opening takes place in Chișinău and represents the official entry of the brand on the local market, bringing Mexican-inspired products and the “Live Más” experience to local consumers.
The new unit, located in the food court of the Shopping Malldova mall, represents an investment of approximately 600,000 euro and is Sphera’s second opening in the Republic of Moldova this year, following the KFC restaurant in Bălți.
“Taco Bell’s entry on the Republic of Moldova market marks a new stage in our regional development strategy. In nearly nine years, we have built a solid network of 18 Taco Bell restaurants across 10 cities in Romania, with a high-performance operational model and a loyal community. This experience gives us confidence that the brand will gain traction in Chișinău as well, where we see significant growth potential. The Republic of Moldova is one of the best-performing 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 Călin Ionescu, CEO of Sphera Franchise Group.
The restaurant operates daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM and is an in-line unit built to Taco Bell’s global standards featuring multiple ordering and payment solutions to streamline peak-hour traffic.
Taco Bell’s expansion in Chișinău comes in the context of strong operational growth for Sphera in the Republic of Moldova. In 2025, the local market recorded the fastest growth within the Group, with sales of 28.3 million lei, representing 1.8% of the Group’s total revenue and a 19.7% increase compared to the previous year. KFC Moldova’s operating profit reached 4.4 million lei, and sales in comparable restaurants returned to growth in the last quarter of the year.
“The opening of the first Taco Bell in the Republic of Moldova is a moment we have long awaited. Chișinău is a dynamic city with a curious audience open to new tastes, and Taco Bell precisely meets this appetite for unique culinary experiences. We are delighted to bring, for the first time, Mexican-inspired flavors that have won over millions of consumers globally to Chișinău, and to be closer to the local community with an energetic, young, and relevant brand. After nearly 18 years of activity in the Republic of Moldova through KFC, the entry of Taco Bell is a natural continuation of our commitment to this market”, said Costică Mișaca, Administrator of KFC & Taco Bell Moldova.
Sphera has been active in the Republic of Moldova since 2008, when it opened the first KFC restaurant in the Malldova mall. The network subsequently expanded with a street-side unit in 2015, a restaurant in Port Mall opened in 2024, and most recently, the opening of a unit in Bălți at the end of March 2026.
Taco Bell’s market entry represents a new phase in the Group’s development, complementing its portfolio of international brands and responding to the growing demand for modern and diverse culinary options.
The opening of the Taco Bell restaurant in Chișinău generates 30 new jobs and supports the local economic ecosystem through partnerships with suppliers from the Republic of Moldova for vegetables, soft drinks, and packaging.