Ukrainian restaurateur Volodymyr Yaroslavskyi, together with his partners, has opened NAI, a modern Ukrainian cuisine restaurant, in the Portuguese city of Cascais. The project was launched in the premium Quinta da Marinha district within the new Bloom Marinha complex. According to the company, the total investment in the launch amounted to approximately €1 million.
Securing the location took considerable time, with negotiations with the developer lasting nearly a year. The owner of the complex reviewed dozens of international restaurant concepts before ultimately selecting the Ukrainian brand. After the agreement was reached, the team spent nearly another year on construction and preparations ahead of the opening.
Part of the investment — around €400,000 — was allocated to the purchase of products from Ukrainian manufacturers, including furniture, décor elements, tableware, and staff uniforms. The franchise fee amounted to €60,000. NAI operates under an individual franchise model, with a dedicated team of specialists supporting each opening, analyzing the market, and adapting the concept to the specific country and target audience.
The menu in Cascais was developed with local ingredients and the district’s premium positioning in mind, while maintaining a clear focus on Ukrainian cuisine. The company says the venue is also aimed, among others, at the Ukrainian diaspora in Portugal.
The restaurant employs 24 people, and the projected average bill is around €38. The venue is located near golf courses, five-star hotels, and the Atlantic coastline.
According to the company, footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s private estate is located nearby, approximately 300 meters away.
The company has also announced plans for further expansion across Europe. The legal entity managing the chain was registered in Kyiv in July 2022. It is responsible for franchise development, partner relations, and the collection of royalties and franchise fees. Its owners are Volodymyr Yaroslavskyi (33%), Dmytro Tovstoliak (34%), and Olena Tovstoliak (33%), who also serves as director. Yaroslavskyi oversees the concept and menu, while the Tovstoliaks are involved in operational management.
According to YouControl, the company’s revenue in 2025 amounted to UAH 798,400, compared with UAH 5.2 million a year earlier. The decline, the company says, was driven by the closure of two locations — in Wrocław, following the withdrawal of the franchise, and in Prague, where the restaurant is currently undergoing relocation.
