Duży Ben Shifts to Franchise Model to Expand Sunday Trading

The Eurocash Group has launched a franchise model for its Duży Ben liquor store chain, aiming to transition all locations by 2027 and enabling some stores to operate on Sundays.

Transitioning to a Franchise Model

One of Poland’s largest liquor store chains, Duży Ben, is changing its operational model. The first store under the new franchise system is already operating in Plewiskach near Poznań, with a comprehensive rollout scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. New locations will now be opened exclusively as franchises.

Previously, Duży Ben expanded primarily through an agency model. The shift to franchising allows independent entrepreneurs to operate under the brand while utilizing the organization’s operational, commercial, and technological infrastructure.

Strategic Expansion and Renovation

The Eurocash Group is focusing its initial phase on four provinces: Mazowieckie, Dolnośląskie, Wielkopolskie, and Zachodniopomorskie, with a emphasis on major cities like Warsaw, Wrocław, Poznań, and Szczecin. The strategy aims to improve sales flexibility and local market responsiveness.

To facilitate this transition, Eurocash will finance the remodeling of existing stores, including storefronts and interiors. Franchisees will also receive “idle time” compensation during renovation periods, along with training and access to the chain’s digital tools and mobile applications.

Legal Realities of Sunday Trading

The franchise model creates potential for stores to remain open on Sundays and holidays, though it is not automatic. According to the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy, store owners can only bypass trading restrictions if they personally conduct sales in their own name and on their own account.

This means that while a franchisee can work on a Sunday, they cannot simply hire employees to staff the shop. Unpaid help from specific family members is permitted, provided they are not regular employees. Violating these labor regulations carries fines ranging from 1,000 to 100,000 PLN.

Corporate Context and Performance

The transformation of Duży Ben is part of a broader optimization within the Eurocash Group, which reported 30 billion PLN in revenue for 2025. While the company has navigated challenges like declining beer sales and fewer independent shops, the growth-oriented segment containing Duży Ben and Frisco saw a notable improvement, turning a 34 million PLN loss into a 3 million PLN EBITDA gain.