Mondadori Store: 320 franchisees across small towns and cities

From big-city neighbourhoods to small island communities, Mondadori Store’s presence is supported by a community of 320 franchisees. Figures released by Mondadori Retail on 2 November 2026 describe a network in which continuity of ownership and local knowledge sit alongside commercial development: around 1,000 people work in its franchised bookshops, in addition to the franchisees themselves.

An established community of business owners

Of the network’s 320 franchisees, 150 have been with the brand for more than ten years or operate multiple shops. This figure brings together two distinct characteristics: the length of the relationship with the brand and the decision to expand into more than one bookshop. It therefore does not mean that all 150 franchisees have been partners for over a decade.

These independent business owners are an important part of the model described by Mondadori Retail. The company combines company-owned shops with bookshops run by independent entrepreneurs, giving franchising a role in extending the network’s geographical reach and keeping it close to readers.

The franchisees’ contribution is not presented solely in terms of shop numbers. In its press release, Mondadori Retail highlights the technical expertise and practical experience of its partner booksellers, who must understand the needs and purchasing habits of very different local communities. The brand’s national scale is thus complemented by local management.

From Scampia to Salina: bookshops in different settings

Recent openings illustrate this variety. In Scampia, a neighbourhood of Naples, a Mondadori Bookstore opened in October in an area described by Business People as previously lacking spaces dedicated to reading. The new bookshop therefore brings a bookselling presence to an urban setting where that provision had been absent.

Another shop opened in August in Partinico, in the province of Palermo, which was cited as one of the places less well served by bookshops. On a different scale again is the Mondadori Point in Leni, on the island of Salina, a municipality with 667 residents. Its presence in such a small community illustrates just how much the catchment areas served by the network can vary.

These examples do not, on their own, measure the financial performance of the individual bookshops. They do, however, demonstrate a footprint that extends beyond major urban centres. For those interested in franchising, the key point is the mix of businesses operating in metropolitan neighbourhoods, provincial towns and island communities, each with its own local demand to understand.

An existing franchisee expands in Rome’s EUR district

Alongside its expansion into underserved areas, the network also offers examples of existing franchisees growing their businesses. A new Mondadori Bookstore opened in October in Rome’s EUR district, run by a franchisee already operating in six other locations in Lazio, the region surrounding Rome.

This is a concrete example of the multi-shop ownership reflected in the overall figures. It is a different route from that of a new franchisee joining the network: the opening builds on experience already gained within the same brand and region.

The model combines the commercial support, training and digital tools provided by the company with the business responsibilities of individual bookshop owners. In the company’s description of the network, the local partner therefore remains central, even when their business spans several locations.

Economic contribution and considerations for prospective franchisees

This geographical reach is accompanied by a substantial economic contribution: in 2025, the franchise channel generated more than €100 million in revenue, accounting for around 45% of Mondadori Retail’s total turnover. This figure refers to the channel as a whole, not to the average turnover or profitability of individual franchisees.

Taken together, the financial figures and franchisee numbers show the importance of franchising within Mondadori Retail’s organisation. They do not, however, replace an assessment of an individual opportunity, particularly in a network covering such varied local markets.

Practical guidance: anyone considering opening a franchised bookshop should investigate the local readership, existing bookselling provision and the operational support available, always distinguishing the network’s overall results from the prospects for their own shop.