Saona prioritises franchising and sets target of 85 restaurants by 2027

Saona is revising its expansion pace and prioritising franchising to support further growth in Spain. The restaurant chain expects to end 2026 with 73 outlets and sales of around €78 million, according to information published by Spanish business newspaper EXPANSIÓN on 10 November. Its target for 2027 now stands at 85 restaurants, down from the 100 previously planned.

Growth depends on partners and locations

The revision reflects market conditions and the difficulty of finding franchisees, Saona founder and chief executive Gonzalo Calvo told the newspaper. The company remains committed to expansion but is adjusting its targets to reflect its ability to secure the partners and sites it wants.

“We have already signed agreements for three openings in early 2027. We are happy with our growth. The number of restaurants matters to us, but so does the quality of both the franchisee and the location,” Calvo says.

The revised target does not mean openings are being halted. The forecast for the end of 2026 includes six new outlets, while the three signed agreements point to further activity at the start of the following year. However, the announced agreements and the target of 85 restaurants are distinct: the former represent specific commitments, while the latter remains an expansion goal.

The founder sums up the adjustment in one sentence: “We were more ambitious than the market could accommodate.”

Franchising takes priority in a largely company-owned network

Currently, 70% of Saona’s restaurants are company-owned, with the remaining 30% operated by franchisees. Although directly operated restaurants still account for the majority, the company is prioritising franchising for its continued development.

Calvo highlights the brand’s appeal to restaurant operators already working with several brands. He also says that almost all its franchisees have more than one restaurant, demonstrating the presence of multi-unit partners within the network.

For the franchise sector, the announcement brings together two important factors: a brand seeking to expand through franchising, and a partner selection process that determines the pace of growth. Management’s stated priority is not simply to increase outlet numbers, but explicitly to ensure the quality of both franchisees and premises.

Saona was founded in Valencia in 2013, and investment fund Miura has held a stake since 2019. Its current footprint includes Madrid, Catalonia, Aragon, Murcia, the Basque Country and Navarre, among other parts of Spain.

Galicia joins the plans for 2027

Finding new markets is another strand of the plan. Calvo says Saona has signed an agreement for its first restaurant in Galicia, scheduled for early 2027. The opening will introduce the brand to a Spanish region where it does not yet operate.

He also mentions future openings in Castile-La Mancha and Castile and León. The published information does not specify the cities or the operating model for each project, so they should not all be presented as new franchises.

Outside Spain, Portugal is among the next steps the company is considering. It is a preferred market for potential international expansion, rather than a confirmed opening with an announced date and location.

Higher sales and development of Quick Saona

The planned expansion is accompanied by revenue growth. After reporting turnover of €71.6 million in 2025, Saona expects to reach around €78 million in 2026, an increase of nearly 9%. It also forecasts earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of €7.2 million, compared with €6.2 million the previous year.

Alongside its traditional format, the company is developing Quick Saona, its fast-food concept. The brand is preparing to open its second restaurant at the Salera shopping centre in Castellón, following its outlet at Bonaire in Valencia. It has not specified whether the forthcoming opening will be franchised.

Practical takeaway: anyone considering becoming a Saona franchisee should check territory availability and the operator profile required. The chain is prioritising franchising, but its growth depends on finding suitable partners and locations.