Your own business with Żabka: low entry threshold, comprehensive support and development prospects
Running your own business is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to full-time work. Financial stability, independence and the possibility of professional development encourage Poles to consider franchise models. One of the leaders of the convenience market in Poland is the Żabka chain – with over 12,000. stores run by 10 thousand entrepreneurs.
The Żabka franchise is distinguished by its low start-up cost. The minimum own contribution is approximately PLN 5,000. PLN, which makes the offer one of the most affordable on the market. Przemysław Kijewski, chief operating officer Żabka Polskaexplains that many future entrepreneurs are afraid of the high costs of opening their own business, while franchise models significantly reduce this barrier.
– In the case of Żabka, we limited the entry cost to an absolute minimum – assures Przemysław Kijewski. – In practice, this means that the franchisee does not have to invest in the premises' equipment, equipment or initial stocking – everything is provided by the chain. The costs mainly include the purchase of a cash register and the license fee, he adds.
“Safe Start” program: learning in practice
Żabka also provides comprehensive support to future franchisees. They have the opportunity to participate in the “Safe Start” program, lasting from 2 to 4 weeks, in which they learn customer service, personnel management and the use of IT systems.
– The program allows you to verify your expectations regarding running a trade business and enables you to better understand the specifics of running a store in the franchise model – emphasizes Marta Partyka, franchise development director at Żabka Polska. – Of the over 275 program participants in 2025, 146 have already opened their own store, and another 60 plan to start their business in the near future – he adds.
Comprehensive support and technology: operational advantage
What entrepreneurs can count on is a fully equipped store, the chain provides them with logistic, marketing and technological support.
– Franchisees use digital tools such as Optiplan, Assistant Żabka or Cyberstore, which improve the management of staff, orders and store stocking – explains Przemysław Kijewski. – These systems use artificial intelligence to analyze sales and recommend operational activities, allowing you to control the store even from a mobile phone – he adds.
Quick return on investment and financial security
Such rapid development of the Żabka franchise network is primarily due to certain profits – in the first half of 2025, 84%. franchisees achieved monthly revenues of at least PLN 30,000. zloty.
With such a low own contribution, the payback period is significantly shorter than in the case of other business models. Analyzes show that payback usually occurs within the first weeks of running a business. Additionally, thanks to trade credit, the franchisee does not incur the costs of purchasing the goods – settlements take place after their sale, which reduces financial risk and allows for maintaining liquidity.
Competence development and franchisee community
Żabka also invests in the development of its entrepreneurs through the Entrepreneurship Academy, practical training and the Entrepreneurship Study platform. What is important is that franchisees can also advance in the network structures, becoming mentors, trainers or members of the Franchise Council.
– Audit, consulting and support of experts make the daily operation of the store more stable and predictable – says Przemysław Kijewski. – Thanks to this, entrepreneurs not only run their own business, but also have the opportunity to acquire new competences and develop their career within the network – he adds.
For comparison, starting a business as an independent grocery store usually requires several dozen thousand zlotys for the premises, equipment and initial stocking. E-commerce or food trucks offer a lower entry barrier, but carry greater risks related to competition, marketing and logistics. Żabka's franchise combines a low entry barrier with the security and support of a large network, making it a competitive option.
Stability and predictability of business
The Polish Franchise Organization states that after 5 years as much as 80 percent franchisees still run their businesses, while in the case of independent enterprises this indicator is only 20%. In times of rising costs and economic uncertainty, the franchise model provides stability and predictability, which is becoming increasingly important for people starting their own business.
To sum up: the Żabka franchise combines low entry costs, ready-made infrastructure, technological and operational support, training and revenue predictability. Thanks to this, entrepreneurs can focus on running the store and customer service, minimizing financial and operational risk. This model works well both for people starting their careers and for those looking for stability and greater independence.
Żabki franchise, a place where courage meets opportunities
An investment in yourself that really changes your everyday life can often start with one step, e.g. the decision to start your own business. At Żabka, I see it every day: for many people, franchising is becoming a way to achieve professional independence, financial stability and development. Our model combines a low entry threshold with a comprehensive educational system and technological support, thanks to which the entrepreneur can focus on what is most important, i.e. running the store and developing their skills. Today, over 10,000 people run stores under the green banner and I know that for many of them the decision to start their own business was a breakthrough moment in their professional careers.
For many people, financial start-up is a barrier to starting a business. In Żabka, the own contribution is approximately PLN 5,000. zloty. This is an amount that in the traditional model would not be enough even to equip a basic shop counter. In our business model, the franchisee receives a ready-made, renovated and stocked store, equipped with furniture, refrigeration equipment, IT systems and full logistics facilities. This allows you to start a business without having to deal with initial costs, which for many would be an insurmountable barrier. In such a model, the store starts working on itself practically from the very first days, and the result depends primarily on the entrepreneur's commitment and the effectiveness of his management.
For many people, entering a franchise is also a crash course in entrepreneurship. From the moment of application, we guide candidates step by step through interviews, recruitment, location selection and training. Educational programs play a huge role here. “Safe Start” allows you to work in an existing store and test yourself in real conditions before signing a contract. In turn, the Entrepreneurship Academy, which develops managerial, financial and organizational competences, is a mandatory element of implementation from 2024. In practice, this means that franchising becomes not only a ready-made business model, but also a system of long-term investment in one's own career path.
Technology is one of the most important tools in running a store today. That's why at Żabka we are building a digital ecosystem that relieves the franchisee of many repetitive tasks. OptiPlan organizes everyday processes and integrates areas from logistics to food safety. The Żabka assistant, powered by AI, suggests the priorities of the day in real time by analyzing the data of each store. Cyberstore allows you to manage your facility from anywhere, even from your phone. As a result, franchisees do not have to build processes from scratch, but use a refined system that minimizes the risk of errors and facilitates decision-making.
As a network, we combine the independence of an entrepreneur with the security of a large organization. Nationwide logistics, central marketing activities, legal and accounting support, training, sales partner and regional manager – this is a structure that acts as a stable base. Another important element is the “Business Policy”, our collective insurance that protects the franchisee in the event of unforeseen events and ensures financial security in the event of termination of cooperation with a negative balance.
Being an entrepreneur is also a social role – our franchisees support the development of local communities, and at the same time – creating jobs and paying taxes – actively participate in the development of the Polish economy. We want them to be leaders in their communities, which is why we create space for them to develop and co-decide – there is a Franchise Council, we have development programs and initiatives that integrate entrepreneurs throughout Poland. The “Good Life” grant program holds a special place. Thanks to it, franchisees can implement local projects: from events integrating residents, to education and initiatives improving the quality of life in the area. This is a way to turn business success into real social change.
Therefore, when I talk about the Żabka franchise, I do not think about the business itself. It's a model that works on many levels. It gives you a chance for professional independence, development of managerial competences, confidence in decision-making, flexibility and a sense of influence on your environment. For many of our franchisees, their own store has become not only a way to generate stable income, but above all, a path to a completely new professional and personal stage.
Przemysław Kijewski, COO Żabka Polska
