A new food service venue has opened in Zhytomyr as part of the expansion of the restaurant business associated with the Varenychna Baluvana Halya chain. Investment in the project exceeded $200,000, while the payback period is estimated at approximately four years.
The project was implemented by the chain’s co-owner, Valerii Halperin, together with Kristina Sukhomlyn, who represents the interests of the family of the late partner Ihor Sukhomlyn. The new venue has become the chain’s third location in the city, pointing to a strategy of further regional expansion.
According to market participants, the restaurant business remains sensitive to rising operating costs. The main pressure comes from higher electricity prices, logistics costs, and payroll expenses. These factors directly affect margins and are forcing companies to adjust the financial models of their projects, especially in segments with limited room for price increases.
Another source of uncertainty remains the instability of consumer demand. During the winter period, foot traffic declined by 20–25%, but with the start of the spring season, traffic has recovered by around 30%, partially improving the operating performance of food service outlets. At the same time, the average ticket has remained relatively stable despite rising costs.
At the same time, the company continues to invest in the development of its restaurant portfolio. In 2025, it launched a pizzeria-format project in Kyiv, and for 2026 it has announced further network expansion and the development of its franchising business, indicating a focus on scaling the business model.
A separate risk factor for the business remains legal issues related to the rights to the Baluvana Halya trademark, which are currently being resolved and may affect the brand’s ownership structure and further development strategy.
Overall, the project reflects a trend toward the gradual recovery of investment activity in the food service segment, while the industry remains highly sensitive to costs and consumer demand.
