Santagloria expansion reaches a major milestone as the Barcelona-born coffee chain opens its 200th establishment this week.
The company has ambitious plans to grow to 300 locations across Spain within two years, backed by an estimated €100 million investment according to parent company FoodBox.
The new flagship café on Pau Claris street in Barcelona’s Eixample district represents both a celebration of the brand’s heritage and a springboard for future growth.
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Founded in 1964 by entrepreneur Pere Gallés, who later created multinational bakery company Europastry, Santagloria takes its name from the founder’s wife, Gloria Gabarró.
Santagloria Expansion Drives International Growth
International markets form a crucial part of the Santagloria expansion strategy. The company recently opened its first outlet in Mexico just three weeks ago, with plans to establish fifty locations there within five years. Furthermore, Portugal represents another key strategic market that company executives describe as “the main challenge for Santagloria” currently.
Remarkably, this rapid Santagloria expansion hasn’t compromised the brand’s core identity according to chain director Lorena Alcázar. She emphasised that the company remains “a dynamic element in the neighbourhoods where it operates” despite the aggressive growth targets.
The franchise model underpins much of this growth, with 75% of Santagloria’s network operating under franchise agreements. Last year, the chain achieved net sales of €82 million, contributing significantly to FoodBox’s overall performance.
FoodBox, established in 2015, operates as a multi-brand platform managing 285 establishments across seven brands including Lateral, Vezzo, Volapié, Papizza, L’Obrador and MásQMenos alongside Santagloria. Since June 2022, the company has been owned by investment fund BlueGem Capital Partners, which previously held majority ownership of Lateral restaurants.
Financial stability for the Santagloria expansion comes from a €36 million refinancing agreement secured last year with CaixaBank and Santander. This provides the necessary capital to reach FoodBox’s broader target of 500 operational establishments by 2028.
Company president Enrique Francia confirmed that Barcelona remains a priority market for future development. Currently, FoodBox operates just one Lateral restaurant in Eixample, but executives are actively seeking additional locations for both Lateral and the rapidly growing Vezzo brand.
The broader FoodBox group achieved €150 million in global revenue during 2024, largely driven by franchise expansion. Projections indicate a 10% sales increase this year, reaching approximately €170 million, with further 15% growth anticipated for 2026.
This sustained Santagloria expansion forms part of a strategic focus on three flagship brands: Santagloria itself, the house-created Vezzo concept, and Lateral’s progression toward premium, distinctive locations. Lateral currently operates 19 restaurants, half through franchises, with four to five new openings planned for next year.
Vezzo, an Italian cuisine concept launched in May 2024, already operates eight establishments across Madrid, Asturias, Elche and Sevilla. Company leadership describes it as having “the greatest growth potential” among their brands, with another opening planned before year-end.
The complete FoodBox portfolio includes Taberna del Volapié (27 establishments), Papizza (12 quick-service pizza outlets), MásQMenos (13 locations primarily in transport hubs), and L’Obrador (six artisanal bakeries, all in Barcelona). This diversified approach supports the overall Santagloria expansion while maintaining each brand’s unique market position.
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