An ambitious plan that will expand the network managed by BKNO from the current 22 restaurants to 70 locations over the next five years, supported by total investments exceeding €60 million and generating a significant impact on employment. Blooming Group is entering a new phase of growth and strengthening its commitment to the quick-service restaurant sector with the completion of a €42 million development financing transaction. The funds, provided by an international institutional investor based in London, will support BKNO, a Blooming Group subsidiary and one of Burger King’s leading franchisees in Italy.
The transaction represents a strategic milestone for the Group and will enable the implementation of a major expansion plan. Over the next five years, BKNO’s network is expected to grow from the current 22 restaurants to 70 locations, with 48 new openings across Italy.
A development plan worth more than €60 million
The financing forms part of a broader investment programme exceeding €60 million, aimed at supporting the continued growth of the Burger King brand in Italy. The objective is to make an increasingly significant contribution to the brand’s national expansion, broaden its presence across the country and further strengthen BKNO’s position within the Italian quick-service restaurant market. Through this project, BKNO aims to more than triple its restaurant network and become an even more important player in Burger King’s development strategy in Italy.
The plan is not limited to opening new restaurants. It also involves building an even stronger organisational structure, capable of supporting rapid and sustainable growth while maintaining the operational and quality standards required by a leading international brand.
Growth driven by people
People are at the heart of this development plan. The expansion will have a major impact on employment. Blooming Group expects the number of people involved in the business to increase from approximately 500 today to around 1,500 over the next five years. This growth will create new professional opportunities and require additional skills, structured training programmes and an organisation increasingly focused on attracting, developing and retaining talent. Blooming Group will continue to pursue its growth while remaining true to the principles that have always guided its activities: attention to people, professional development, gender pay equality and employee retention levels above the industry average.
An ambitious challenge with a long-term vision
Blooming Group strongly believes in the potential of the Italian quick-service restaurant market and in the opportunities for further development of the Burger King brand. The plan represents an ambitious challenge, as well as an important opportunity to strengthen the brand’s presence in Italy, create new jobs and generate value in the communities where the new restaurants will open. As stated by Davide Canavesio, Co-Founder and CEO of Blooming Group:
“We strongly believe in the development of the Burger King brand and in its potential in Italy. We are pleased to contribute, through the scale and commitment of our company BKNO, to the success and continued growth of the brand.”
Maurizio Cimmino, Chief Executive Officer of BKNO, added:
“The challenge ahead of us is extremely exciting. We have the people, the structure and the determination required to support Burger King’s growth in Italy.”
A journey that began in 2017
BKNO’s journey with Burger King began in 2017 with the opening of its first restaurant at the I Viali Shopping Centre in Nichelino, near Turin. Since then, the company has steadily expanded its presence through new openings across Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Liguria and other areas of Northern Italy, reaching the current network of 22 restaurants. The new development plan therefore marks a significant evolution in a journey built over time and now supported by additional resources, an established organisational structure and a clear long-term vision.
The transaction was completed with the support of EY-Parthenon, BonelliErede and Chiomenti.
Media coverage
The announcement was covered by several national and industry publications, including ANSA, Milano Finanza, EFA News, Food Service, Retail&Food, Financecommunity and Foodcommunity, reflecting the strong interest generated by the transaction and Blooming Group’s development strategy.
