Surf’n’Fries: franchise formats from carts to permanent outlets

Croatian brand Surf’n’Fries continues to offer international franchise development opportunities across a range of formats, from carts and mobile units to permanent outlets. In an overview published on 22 October 2026, Franchising.eu sets out details of the concept, support for partners and indicative investment costs. For readers considering Croatia’s franchise market, it is an example of a home-grown business adapting the same core product to different locations and investment levels.

A Croatian concept with an international network

Surf’n’Fries was founded in 2009, with fries at the heart of its menu. Rather than being a side dish, fries are the main product, with a choice of sauces, toppings and other extras allowing customers to customise their orders. Distinctive packaging and street-food-style service are also central to the concept.

According to figures from the brand’s official website, cited by Franchising.eu, the network has more than 45 outlets in over 15 countries. These figures reflect the Croatian brand’s international presence, not the number of outlets in its home market.

The company continues to invite entrepreneurs to discuss development opportunities in their markets. Alongside individual outlets, it offers partnerships to investors looking to develop multiple locations. One of the first questions for prospective franchisees is therefore whether they want to run a single outlet or pursue wider network development.

Three investment estimates for different formats

The available formats include permanent outlets, food trucks and carts. Published franchise profiles provide separate indicative investment estimates for a cart, a trailer and a full-scale outlet. The differences are substantial, so each figure should be read in relation to its specific format.

• Cart: estimated total investment of €18,000, including an initial franchise fee of €2,500.
• Trailer: estimated investment of €56,000, including a franchise fee of €5,000.
• Permanent outlet: indicative investment of €150,000, including a franchise fee of €10,000.

The initial franchise fees are therefore included in the total estimates, rather than being amounts automatically added on top. This is an important distinction when making an initial comparison of the options and drawing up an investment budget.

The published ongoing franchise fee is five per cent of turnover. The same franchise profile does not list a separate advertising fee. However, the absence of this item should not replace a check of all contractual obligations and marketing costs before deciding to invest.

These are indicative figures from published profiles, not a tailored quotation for a particular location in Croatia. They can provide a starting point, but applicants should request an up-to-date investment breakdown for their chosen format and location before preparing a working budget.

Location assessment is part of the application process

The process of joining the network begins with contacting the company, an initial consultation and an assessment of the proposed location. The franchisor reviews the site and helps the applicant identify which format might suit the local market.

This approach brings the choice of site and sales format into the same discussion. Entrepreneurs are choosing not only a brand but also the scale of their venture: mobile sales and a permanent outlet are different options within the same offering. The published investment estimates clearly show how much the choice of format affects the initial budget.

Applicants will therefore find it more useful to prepare a specific location proposal than to base discussions solely on the lowest published investment figure. Initial discussions should establish which format suits the proposal, what the estimated cost includes and what support is available in the run-up to opening. These are points to verify, not conclusions that can be drawn from the franchise price alone.

Support covers set-up and day-to-day operations

Surf’n’Fries lists support with outlet design, standardised plans, help with organising supplier relationships, operational documentation and marketing materials. Practical training is also available for the owner, manager and staff.

The support described therefore goes beyond the appearance of the outlet. It also includes preparing the people who will run the business day to day, alongside the documentation needed to implement the concept. Prospective partners should clarify the scope of each service and how it will be delivered for their chosen format.

Within Croatia’s franchise sector, Surf’n’Fries is an example of a home-grown concept offering international partners several ways to join its network. Practical takeaway: before making a decision, compare formats, request an assessment of your proposed location and a written investment breakdown, and check all fees. Treat the lowest published figure as the starting point for due diligence, not your sole selection criterion.