Kaliforňan expands in Brno, with nine outlets run by franchisees

Kaliforňan has expanded its network with two outlets in Brno and three more in Slovakia. It now has 16 outlets in total, nine of which are operated by franchisees. According to co-founder Michaela Smrtičová, finding the right partner and location takes priority over the pace of openings. Another notable feature of the expansion is employees going on to run their own businesses under the brand.

Campus Square and Ponávka join the Brno network

Michaela Smrtičová outlined developments over the previous six months in an interview published by Franchising.cz on 9 November 2026. In Czechia, Kaliforňan opened outlets at Campus Square and Ponávka in Brno. In Slovakia, it added an outlet in Trenčín and two locations in Bratislava: Millhaus and Digital Park.

The current total of 16 outlets covers the entire network across both countries, not just the Czech market. Seven are company-owned and nine are franchised. Franchisees therefore operate the majority of outlets in a network that continues to combine company-owned and franchised businesses.

Alongside the new locations, the brand introduced a new menu, adding more ingredients and seasonal specialities. Smrtičová also said that, as the network grows, the company is paying greater attention to the efficiency of internal processes, production and day-to-day operations at individual outlets. Expansion is therefore not head office’s only current priority: it is also focusing on how existing outlets operate.

Employees become franchisees

The new Campus Square outlet is run by a former Kaliforňan employee. According to Smrtičová, this is the second time a member of the team has opened their own business under the brand. The first was the outlet on Leonardova Street in Bratislava, opened in 2025 by the network’s then head chef.

For the Czech franchising community, this route to growth is particularly notable for the way it links experience as an employee with the responsibilities of business ownership. In the interview, Smrtičová stressed that knowing the concept from the inside can make the transition to running an outlet easier. Both examples involve people who already had experience working within the network.

Trenčín represents a different route. There, an existing franchise partner opened the new outlet and, according to the co-founder, is already actively looking for premises in another city. The network thus offers examples both of employees becoming franchisees and of existing partners expanding their businesses.

Anyone considering a similar path should distinguish between knowing the day-to-day operation and preparing to run their own business. Previous experience working within the concept can provide a useful foundation, but prospective franchisees should still assess the budget, the specific premises and the scope of their future responsibilities separately.

Further growth depends on premises, with Prague also of interest

According to the November interview, Kaliforňan is looking for suitable premises in three new cities. However, Smrtičová said any further openings before the end of 2026 would depend on the availability and readiness of those premises. This is therefore not an announcement of three outlets with confirmed opening dates.

Within the Czech market, she highlighted Prague as an attractive prospect where the brand sees significant potential. This indicates an area of interest rather than a confirmed Prague location. Prospective partners should therefore check the current status of the search for sites directly with the network during discussions.

The emphasis on the right partner and location reflects the approach the co-founder described in the interview: increasing the number of dots on the map is not the priority. The distinction between searching for premises and having an outlet ready to open is also important for planning. A proposed opening date should reflect the actual condition of the property, rather than simply the brand’s general expansion plans.

Initial costs start at CZK 625,000

Published initial costs start at CZK 625,000 (Czech koruna). The actual amount depends on the condition of the premises and the alterations required. This starting figure should therefore not be treated as a fixed price for every future outlet; the specific site and the work needed to prepare it will be decisive.

According to the published information, the franchisor provides partners with comprehensive know-how, training and assistance with selecting a location and preparing the outlet. The partnership is also intended to include ongoing operational and marketing support. Applicants should review each of these areas and clarify in advance how they will be delivered in their particular case.

When preparing a budget, prospective franchisees should request a detailed breakdown of costs for their chosen premises. It is equally important to coordinate the schedule for alterations, training and opening. The network has identified the readiness of premises as one of the conditions for further openings.

Practical takeaway: Anyone interested in a Kaliforňan franchise should start by assessing a specific location and preparing an individual budget. The figure of CZK 625,000 is a starting point; the decision to join should also take account of the support available and the applicant’s own readiness to run the outlet.