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Draft:Lviv Croissants

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Lviv Croissants
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryRestaurants
FoundedMarch 5, 2015; 9 years ago (2015-03-05)
Lviv, Lvivska Oblast, Ukraine
FounderAndriy Galitsky
Number of locations
180 restaurants (2024)
Area served
List
    • Ukraine
    • Poland
    • Czech Republic
    • Slovakia
    • United States (Georgia)
Products
RevenueIncrease 1 billion (2022)[1]
Number of employees
1,200 (2022)
ParentFast Food Franchising Group LLC (2015–present)
Websitelvivcroissants.com

Lviv Croissants (Ukrainian: Львівські Круасани) is a Ukrainian multinational coffeehouse franchise known for its croissant-based menu, including sandwiches and other dishes. The chain was founded in Lviv, Ukraine, by Andriy Galitsky in 2015 as a single café-bakery. Later that year, the company was acquired by the Fast Food Franchising Group, which promptly began franchising operations and opened an additional location in Sumy.[2][3]

Lviv Croissants produce approximately 12 million croissants each year.[4] Despite being forced to close dozens of locations in 2022 due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lviv Croissants has consistently ranked among Ukraine’s fastest-growing businesses. As of January 2024, it is the country’s largest restaurant chain, with over 180 locations across five countries.[5] In August 2024, the company expanded to the United States, opening its first café in Roswell, Georgia.[6]

History

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Lviv Croissants was founded in 2015 by entrepreneur Andriy Galitsky in Lviv, Ukraine, as a dedicated croissant-based café concept. Prior to establishing the chain, Galitsky had operated hot dog stands and later ran a small fast food venture known as Burgers Buffet. After experimenting with various menu items, he identified croissants as a product with significant potential, leading him to narrow the focus to a single-product format featuring croissant sandwiches and coffee.[7]

The first three Lviv Croissants restaurants opened in Lviv in 2015. That same year, the company was acquired by the Fast Food Franchising Group—also based in Lviv—and introduced its initial franchise location in Sumy. By 2022, the chain had grown to over 100 establishments across Ukraine. Between 2022 and 2023, Lviv Croissants added 40 new bakeries, reaching a total of 159 in Ukraine by January 2024, with both company-owned and franchised locations.[8]

In April 2022, American actress Angelina Jolie made an unannounced stop at a Lviv Croissants café in Lviv. Photos and memes of the visit went viral on social media, leading to a reported 20% increase in sales at that location.[9] The company also credited Jolie with helping their expansion efforts into Poland and the United States.[10]

Russian invasion of Ukraine

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Lviv Croissants in Kyiv during a rolling blackout

Following the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Lviv Croissants was forced to temporarily shutter dozens of locations, particularly in regions directly affected by the conflict. Over 50 locations, including those in Kyiv, Irpin, Bucha, and Kharkiv, were closed. Two cafés in Mariupol were destroyed.[10]

Despite wartime setbacks, Lviv Croissants has significantly outperformed the broader Ukrainian restaurant industry. According to research by the restaurant automation company Poster, the total number of restaurants in Ukraine declined from 36,500 prior to the Russian invasion to 32,000 by the end of 2023.[5] In contrast, Lviv Croissants expanded during this period, adding more than a dozen new locations.[8]

In December 2022, Lviv Croissants partnered with the Unbroken Foundation to support injured veterans by raising funds for prosthetic care. The initiative included the sale of special charity stickers and the collection of direct donations, with proceeds providing medical assistance and prosthetics for those affected by the conflict.[11] By the end of 2023, the company had raised over 1,168,000 UAH (approximately 28,000 USD) for the cause.[12]

Locations

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List of locations where Lviv Croissants is available

As of August 2024, the company had more than 180 restaurants in five countries, including 159 in Ukraine. In January 2024, Lviv Croissants was recognized by Forbes Ukraine as the single largest restaurant chain in the country, having surpassed McDonald's for the top spot.[5]

Lviv Croissants first expanded into Poland in 2018 but withdrew due to financial difficulties. After revising its strategy to align with local preferences and improve operations, the company successfully reentered the market, operating 11 locations in Poland by early 2024.[13]

In June 2024, the company further expanded into Europe, opening locations in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.[14][15]

In August 2024, Lviv Croissants launched its first U.S. location in Roswell, Georgia.[6]

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Lviv Croissants’ offerings center on croissant-based sandwiches featuring a variety of sweet and savory fillings, ranging from simple chocolate or jam to more elaborate combinations with meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Alongside its signature croissants, the chain serves coffee, tea, and other beverages. Menu adaptations are made to suit local tastes in each market; for example, in the United States, offerings include fillings with avocado, bacon, and peanut butter, as well as an expanded selection of cold drinks.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Information about Lviv Croissants". Forbes Ukraine. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  2. ^ "About us". Lviv Croissants. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  3. ^ "Lviv Croissants bakery chain enters US market". Ukraine Open for Business. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  4. ^ "Lviv Croissants United States". Lviv Croissants. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  5. ^ a b c Sharipov, Oleksander (2024-01-02). "The big ones have become even bigger". Forbes Ukraine. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  6. ^ a b c Goncharova, Olena (2024-08-13). "Ukrainian bakery Lviv Croissants opens first US location in Georgia". Kyiv Independent. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  7. ^ Tysyachna, Tamara (2024-01-18). "History of Lviv Croissants: A breakthrough in the Ukrainian market and a comeback in Poland". LIGA.net. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  8. ^ a b Bezkorovaina, Irina (2023-08-10). "A Billion on Croissants". Forbes Ukraine. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  9. ^ "Famous Ukrainian croissant shop visited by Angelina Jolie has opened in Prague". www.expats.cz. 2024-10-04. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  10. ^ a b Shtuka, Nata (2022-05-02). "The Jolie effect". Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  11. ^ "GIVE A CHANCE FOR RECOVERY: LVIV CROISSANTS HELP UNBROKEN". Unbroken.org. 2022-12-14. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  12. ^ "Give a chance for recovery". Dobro.ua. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  13. ^ Shkalyova, Anastasia (2022-10-18). "Second attempt. How Lviv Croissants begin expansion into Poland". Poster Blog. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  14. ^ Portal, World Coffee (2024-08-23). "Ukraine's Lviv Croissants launches in the US with Georgia outlet". World Coffee Portal. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  15. ^ Portal, World Coffee (2024-10-07). "Ukraine's Lviv Croissants makes Czech Republic debut with Prague outlet". World Coffee Portal. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
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