Chaps Gastropub has five franchised restaurants and is seeking partners

Chaps Gastropub, the brand founded by Wojtek Kaczmarczyk, creator of the Do Roboty online channel, is expanding its franchise network. According to information published by Franchising.pl on 12 November 2026, it has two company-owned restaurants and five franchised sites. Further openings are in preparation, with the chain focusing primarily on smaller towns and cities with populations of at least 35,000.

From the first site in Gliwice to seven restaurants

The first Chaps Gastropub opened in Gliwice, Poland, three years before the November report. The founder, Wojtek Kaczmarczyk, is known for his entrepreneurship-focused channel, Do Roboty. The restaurant business is therefore linked to his work as an online creator, but the network now extends beyond company-owned sites.

Five of the seven operating restaurants are run by franchisees. This means franchised sites account for most of the network’s locations. Franchising is not simply a planned next step: the brand already has independent operators working under this model and is preparing further openings.

When assessing Chaps Gastropub’s expansion, it is worth distinguishing its current footprint from its plans. The two company-owned restaurants and five franchised sites are already trading. Restaurants in preparation represent the next stage of growth and are not included in that total. This distinction helps establish the network’s actual size without treating planned openings as completed investments.

For Poland’s franchise sector, this is an example of a foodservice brand that began working with independent entrepreneurs after opening its first restaurant. Its history also shows how interest in a well-known online creator can provide the impetus for developing a franchise offer.

Viewer interest came before the finished franchise model

According to Kaczmarczyk’s account, quoted by Franchising.pl, visitors who knew him from Do Roboty travelled to the Gliwice restaurant from across Poland. They asked when the burger restaurant would open in their town. These questions prompted him to develop a franchise model.

Notably, the first two prospective franchisees came forward before work on the model was complete. The sequence was therefore clear: an operating restaurant generated interest in openings elsewhere, and the framework for working with partners was then developed.

The founder’s public profile helped generate interest, but it should not be taken as evidence of the restaurants’ financial performance. Viewer interest, the number of operating sites and the profitability of an individual restaurant are separate issues. Prospective franchisees need to assess each one independently.

The practical question is therefore not simply how popular the brand is, but how that interest translates into business in a particular location. Before making a decision, prospective partners should request operating data from existing restaurants and assess how closely their circumstances match those of the proposed site. This is especially important when their first encounter with the brand was through its founder’s online channel.

Expansion focused on smaller towns and cities

Chaps Gastropub is targeting expansion mainly in smaller towns and cities with populations of at least 35,000. This stated population threshold gives potential partners an initial indication of whether their proposed location fits the chain’s priorities.

The word ‘mainly’ matters here: it describes an expansion preference, rather than a definitive list of eligible locations. Equally, the population figure should not be read as a guarantee that a restaurant will succeed. It is a starting point for discussing a location, not a completed assessment of its potential.

Entrepreneurs considering the franchise should therefore ask what additional criteria the brand uses when selecting towns and premises. It is worth establishing how local competition, customer access and operating costs are assessed. These are questions to explore during discussions, not confirmed elements of Chaps Gastropub’s selection process.

The news that further restaurants are in preparation indicates that expansion will not stop at the current seven sites. However, it does not establish opening dates or a target network size. At this stage, the key points are the existing group of franchisees and the stated focus of the search for new partners.

Partners are expected to run the restaurant and build relationships

The brand is seeking franchisees willing to take an active role in running a restaurant, managing a team and building relationships with customers. Its stated partner profile therefore emphasises personal involvement in the business, rather than simply providing capital.

This is an important consideration for anyone comparing franchise opportunities. Candidates should assess not only their financial resources, but also the time they can devote to the restaurant and their willingness to work with staff and customers. An interest in hospitality or familiarity with Do Roboty is no substitute for that assessment.

During discussions with the chain, prospective franchisees should clarify how much time the owner is expected to spend on site, how responsibilities are divided between the franchisee and head office, and what preparation is provided for managing the restaurant. Investment costs, fees and contract terms also require separate discussion.

Practical takeaway: Chaps Gastropub is expanding an established franchise operation aimed at hands-on operators. Before choosing a location, check the full franchise terms and data from comparable restaurants — do not base your decision solely on the founder’s public profile.