EBRD supports regional fast food expansion with first circular economy loan in Western Balkans
09 May 2025
Author: Jelena Pajic
EBRD and GEF providing €9.9 million to support the rollout of KFC and Taco Bell across the Western Balkans, Croatia and Slovenia
First CERI project in Western Balkans, promoting circular economy practices in regional franchising
Project will create new jobs and inclusion opportunities, especially for women and people with disabilities
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a loan of up to €9.9 million to Aptha Global and Tastra (on a joint and several basis) to finance the expansion of KFC restaurants in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the rollout of Taco Bell restaurants in the Western Balkans region, Croatia and Slovenia. Of the total amount, €8.1 million will be provided by the Bank, and the remaining €1.8 million will be supplied by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) under the Circular Economy Regional Initiative (CERI). This is the first CERI project in the Western Balkans.
The EBRD is supporting the regional expansion of two local companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina into an underserved market niche in the Western Balkans, Croatia and Slovenia, where only a handful of global franchises currently operate in the fast food segment. This investment represents a pioneering effort to embed circular economy principles within the franchising model, with 100 per cent of the funds being used to support the transition to a green economy. The project is expected to generate a significant number of new jobs and promote economic inclusion, with a focus on creating opportunities for women and people with disabilities who are currently inactive in the labour market. By providing unsecured cross-border financing, the EBRD is addressing a key market gap and enabling this expansion to take place.
Jean-Marc Peterschmitt, the EBRD’s Managing Director for the Corporate Sector, said: “We are proud to be helping these companies to bring globally recognised brands like KFC and Taco Bell to new markets across the Western Balkans, Croatia and Slovenia. This €9.9 million of financing, which comprises €8.1 million from the EBRD and €1.8 million from the Global Environment Facility under the Circular Economy Regional Initiative, reflects our shared commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth. The investment will not only strengthen regional economic integration, but also create meaningful employment opportunities – particularly for women and people with disabilities – as well as address key financing gaps for cross-border expansion. We are pleased to be supporting this expansion, helping to meet both market needs and green transition goals.”
Aldina Hadžić, Director at Aptha Global, said: “We are pleased that the EBRD has recognised Aptha as a strategic partner and enabled us to realise our regional development plan. With this support, we will open around 30 new restaurants by the end of 2027 across the Western Balkans, Croatia and Slovenia. This project brings strong employment potential, with a clear focus on creating opportunities for young people and women, while also promoting sustainable growth through renewable energy, energy efficiency and circular economy practices. As a diversified group, we see this as the beginning of broader cooperation – including through our internationally recognised furniture brand GoEs and other future initiatives aligned with innovation and sustainability.”
Aptha Global is a limited liability company incorporated in Bosnia and Herzegovina which is focused on bringing global franchises such as Taco Bell restaurants and Mango clothing stores to the region. Tastra, the co-borrower, is also a limited liability company incorporated in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is a franchisee for KFC restaurants.
Since it began operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1996, the EBRD has invested more than €3.3 billion in the country across 244 projects.
