ZOTMAN PIZZA plans franchise expansion into four new cities

ZOTMAN PIZZA is expanding beyond Moscow and the surrounding Moscow Region. By the end of 2026, the chain plans to open pizzerias in Murmansk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Krasnodar and Yekaterinburg. Franchise partners are opening most of the new outlets. The plans were outlined in promotional content published by Forbes Franchises on 1 November.

Regional expansion relies on franchise partners

At the time of publication, ZOTMAN had 41 pizzerias. More than half had been opened by franchisees. The chain remains concentrated in the capital region, with 32 outlets in Moscow and the Moscow Region. A further six are in St Petersburg, with one each in Vladimir, Novosibirsk and Tyumen.

The chain therefore already has a regional foothold, but outside Russia’s two largest metropolitan areas its presence is still limited to individual pizzerias. The announced openings would broaden its reach, with destinations in the north-west, south, Urals and Russian Far East.

The company expects that the number of regions in which it operates could double during 2026. This is a target, not an achieved result. Similarly, the November publication identifies Murmansk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Krasnodar and Yekaterinburg as locations for future openings, rather than cities where the chain already operates.

For those considering the Russian franchise market, the role of franchise partners in this expansion is significant. Franchisees already account for more than half of ZOTMAN’s existing outlets and are opening most of its new pizzerias. However, the publication does not provide a city-by-city breakdown of planned company-owned and franchised openings across the four locations.

The busiest opening period is expected in 2027–2028

ZOTMAN began actively expanding into the regions in 2026. The company expects openings to peak in 2027–2028, making the launches announced for the end of 2026 only the next stage of a longer-term expansion programme.

The brand is also continuing to grow in its established markets. According to the publication, more than a dozen new ZOTMAN pizzerias opened in Moscow and St Petersburg during 2026. Regional expansion is therefore taking place alongside, rather than replacing, growth in the largest cities.

Prospective partners should bear this timetable in mind when discussing a particular territory. The chain’s overall expansion plan and an individual project’s readiness to open are separate matters. A forecast that openings will peak over the following two years does not, in itself, establish either a launch date for a specific pizzeria or the franchise terms available in a chosen city.

Prospective franchisees should separately confirm territory availability, the proposed outlet format and the steps required before opening. This is particularly important when assessing a project in a city the brand has yet to enter: a general expansion announcement alone is not enough to base a decision on.

Three formats with different start-up budgets

ZOTMAN offers franchise partners three formats. They differ in their operating model, stated investment requirements and the payback periods quoted by the company:

• Dine-in pizzeria — investment from RUB 10 million, with a payback period starting at two years.
• Delivery-only kitchen — investment from RUB 4.5 million, with a payback period starting at 18 months.
• Guest kitchen / food court outlet — investment from RUB 5 million, with a payback period starting at 18 months.

These figures should be treated as indicative estimates provided by the company. “From” denotes a lower threshold, not a fixed cost for every opening. The quoted payback periods should not be regarded as a guarantee for any individual franchisee either.

To compare the options, prospective franchisees should request a detailed investment breakdown for their preferred format and a financial forecast for their location. It is also worth establishing which costs are included in the start-up budget, what additional expenditure will be needed before opening and what cash reserve is allowed for the first few months of trading.

The different formats offer a choice not only of investment level but also of operating model: serving customers on the premises, focusing exclusively on delivery or trading from a food court. However, the existence of three options does not mean that all are automatically available in every territory.

Procurement support and joining terms

Support for partners extends beyond the right to use the brand. According to the company, the franchisor helps partners purchase food and non-food operating supplies from ZOTMAN’s own warehouses at what it describes as optimised wholesale prices. Fresh fruit and vegetables are excluded from the food supply arrangement.

When entering a new city, prospective partners should clarify how this arrangement would work for their particular outlet. Delivery arrangements, lead times and purchasing terms should be assessed alongside the financial model. Centralised procurement support does not remove the need to calculate an individual outlet’s costs.

In April 2026, ZOTMAN PIZZA also launched a promotion waiving the initial franchise fee for franchisees in selected cities. This does not amount to a fee waiver for all partners. Applicants should separately confirm whether the offer applies to their chosen territory and remains valid when the agreement is signed.

Practical takeaway: ZOTMAN’s regional plans provide a reason to explore a partnership, but any decision should rest on the terms for the specific outlet. Before signing an agreement, prospective franchisees should assess the available format, full budget, supply arrangements and current initial franchise fee terms together.