Carrefour: franchising supports 40-store network in Greece

Carrefour’s network in Greece now comprises 40 outlets, with franchising making up for the 14 company-owned stores that were transferred. This development highlights the role of franchise partners in the chain’s current presence, as Nikos Vardinogiannis’s AVE prepares its plans for the next three years. The plans are expected to be presented in early January, according to a report published by Greek business publication Oikonomikos Tachydromos on 28 October 2026.

Franchising underpins the 40-outlet network

The key news for the franchising community is the contribution of franchising to Carrefour’s network following the transfer of 14 company-owned stores. According to the report, franchising is making up for those outlets, bringing the chain’s total presence to 40 stores.

The figure of 40 refers to the entire network and should not be read as the number of new stores or as a measure of this year’s expansion alone. Similarly, the reference to making up for the company-owned outlets describes the role of franchising across the network; it is not an announcement that those same 14 stores have been converted into franchises.

This distinction matters when assessing Carrefour’s progress. The important point is not just the network’s overall size, but how its presence is being maintained: expansion through franchise partners now plays a central role in the chain’s footprint in Greece.

Six openings across mainland and island locations

Six new franchise stores opened in the first half of 2026. The locations listed are Kyparissia, Corfu, Chios, Chania, Preveza and Santorini. These openings form part of the company’s expansion strategy.

The list provides a clear geographical picture of that expansion, covering both mainland towns and island destinations. Rather than being concentrated in a single area, the openings span different parts of the country.

The six openings also provide a specific measure of activity in the first half of the year. They should be distinguished from the total network of 40 outlets recorded in the October report. These are two different measures: one captures new additions over a defined period, while the other reflects the chain’s overall presence.

For those following the Greek franchise market, these six locations are the most tangible evidence of recent expansion. They show where stores have already opened, but do not in themselves constitute an announcement of future target areas or the pace of further openings.

AVE retains the master franchise agreement

Despite the transfer of the company-owned stores, AVE continues to hold the French chain’s master franchise agreement for Greece. Its term is stated as 6+10 years. This is a separate matter from changes in the composition of the store network.

In other words, according to the report, the change in the company-owned store footprint does not mean that AVE is withdrawing from its agreement with Carrefour. The continued agreement and the development of new outlets through franchise partners provide the framework for the next phase of planning.

The distinction between the agreement covering the Greek market and the ownership structure of each store is also useful for prospective franchisees. The former concerns the relationship with the brand at national level, while the latter concerns how individual outlets are operated.

Three-year plan expected in January

The next milestone is the presentation of AVE’s plans for the coming three years. According to Oikonomikos Tachydromos, this is expected in early January and will cover the group, including Retail & More, Yalco and Pharma PLUS.

This is therefore a broader group-wide plan, rather than solely a programme of new Carrefour store openings. The forthcoming presentation should also be distinguished from the openings already completed: the six new stores represent past activity, while the three-year plan will provide the next update on the group’s direction.

Practical takeaway: Anyone considering joining the network can currently point to its 40 stores, the six new outlets opened in the first half of the year and the continued master franchise agreement. When assessing an investment, prospective partners should request specific franchise terms and take the three-year plan into account once it is presented.