In January-May 2023 in Kiev opened 172 cafes and restaurants, since the beginning of the war – about 350 institutions, said the agency “Interfax-Ukraine” co-founder of the National Restaurant Association of Ukraine Olga Nasonova.
“About 60% of Kiev’s openings are small-format establishments: coffee shops, bakeries, shawarma places, something in MAFs, something indoors. The area of up to 100 square meters. m. Microbusiness, but if it is a lot – it is power. Very few big restaurants were opened, more often it was a rebranding of existing locations,” she specified, adding that there were practically no pubs among the openings.
“Bars have reared their heads a bit, but restrictions on operating until 10 p.m. greatly reduce their profitability,” Nasonova noted.
For the popularity of establishments, the issue of safety is at the top of the list. This explains the best performance of pubs and bars in basements, as well as the geography of new openings. Activity of food zones in shopping malls is gradually recovering. The most “restaurant” zones of the city are Podol and Yarostavov Val Street, the activity is higher in the areas of old buildings than in new residential complexes.
“There are up to 50% of residents left in elite residential complexes, and the old residential areas are full of people, including because there is more affordable rental housing for people who moved there,” – the expert explained.
As for prospective formats, in the near future, demand will also focus on mini-formats. “Investment in the launch of a coffee shop with an area up to 50 sq. m. – from $10 to $30 thousand. The rush demand – in locations with good traffic”, – said Nasonova.
Created in 2021, the National Restaurant Association of Ukraine in July 2022 had more than 100 members, 370 restaurants and cafes, under management – 164 thousand square meters. m.
