Taco Bell prepares second restaurant in Zagreb

Taco Bell is preparing another restaurant in Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, Aldina Hadžić, Director of Franchise Operations at APTHA Global, confirmed in an interview with Women in Adria published on 27 October 2026. Following the existing outlet at the Arena Centar shopping centre, a second Zagreb restaurant is the next announced step in the brand’s development in Croatia. Hadžić stressed, however, that stabilising operations remains the first priority.

Second Zagreb outlet already in preparation

The most concrete news from the interview concerns the continued development of the Zagreb network. Hadžić confirmed that another outlet is being prepared in the capital, alongside the Arena Centar restaurant. She also announced further development during the following year, 2027, but did not specify the number of future restaurants or name any other Croatian cities.

“Alongside Arena, another outlet is currently being prepared in Zagreb, and we will continue moving forward next year,” Hadžić said.

For Croatia’s franchise community, this marks an important shift from the initial news of the brand’s arrival: the discussion now concerns business development beyond the first restaurant. However, preparations for a second outlet should be distinguished from a confirmed opening. Neither its address nor its opening date was given in the interview.

The announcement therefore sets a clear direction, but does not provide a full expansion timetable. Zagreb remains the focus of the activities described so far, while no details have been presented about development beyond the second outlet. The statement therefore offers no basis for conclusions about the eventual size of the Croatian network.

Why Croatia matters to APTHA Global

Hadžić describes Croatia as a strategically important market for Taco Bell. Among the reasons she cites are the country’s well-developed tourism sector and consumers’ openness to new concepts. She places the entry into Croatia within the broader context of the brand’s regional development.

For Zagreb in particular, she highlights a strong shopping-centre culture and a young audience seeking new experiences. In her view, these characteristics create a favourable environment for Taco Bell. This is the company representative’s assessment, rather than published footfall or sales figures for the Croatian restaurant.

She explained that the company assessed the Croatian market’s potential by analysing competitors, locations and consumer habits. It also drew on experience in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. The Croatian project was thus presented as part of a regional approach that also takes local conditions into account.

This combination is key to understanding the announcement: an international brand, regional experience and an assessment of the individual market. Hadžić presented the entry into Croatia not as an isolated move, but as a step towards expanding Taco Bell’s presence in the region.

Stable operations before further growth

Despite preparations for a new location, Hadžić identified stabilising operations as the first priority. The aim, she said, is to ensure that every guest receives the quality and service the brand promises. This places operational delivery at the heart of the current development phase.

“The first priority is to stabilise operations and ensure that every guest receives the quality and service the brand promises,” she said.

This statement helps put the expansion plans into perspective. Alongside preparations for an additional restaurant, the company is emphasising the quality of day-to-day operations in its existing business. The new location was therefore presented not simply as an increase in outlet numbers, but with an explicit commitment to consistent service.

The wider interview with Hadžić also covered the importance of people, local market knowledge and a clear business strategy for long-term growth. Her role at APTHA Global involves franchise operations in a business environment spanning international brands such as MANGO, Taco Bell and KFC. The Croatian section of the interview focused on Taco Bell’s development.

What the announcement means for the franchise community

For Croatia’s franchise community, the central message is that Taco Bell is preparing its next Zagreb location following the first, but has yet to publish a detailed plan for its Croatian network. So far, the confirmed scope of the announcement covers a second outlet in Zagreb and an intention to continue development in 2027.

The interview was not presented as an invitation for prospective franchise partners to apply. The restaurant development announcement should therefore not be confused with a franchise offer to interested entrepreneurs. It concerns business plans and management priorities, rather than the terms of any potential partnership.

Practical takeaway: entrepreneurs following Taco Bell’s development in Croatia should distinguish between preparations for a location, a confirmed opening and any potential partnership offer. The next concrete details to watch for are the address and opening date of the second Zagreb restaurant.