Hot snacks, available at Żabka as part of Żabka Café, are hugely popular with customers. It was another year under the sign of hot dogs, with more than 80 million sold in 2023, including more than 1 million in limited variants, i.e. colourful variants appearing for different occasions. The second place on the podium, with more than 14 million sold, was taken by panini, and the third place was taken by crispy snacks from the #PROSTOzPIECA offer, of which more than 6 million were bought. Among these, crunchboxes, or products in sets, were the most popular.
– The hot dog is certainly the favourite warm snack among Żabka customers, and we are the undisputed market leader in this category. We are also pleased to see growing customer interest in other products from our gradually expanding gastronomy offer under the #PROSTOzPIECA campaign. I am thinking here, among others, about casseroles, fries, churros or nuggets. By creating 'value innovation' in gastronomy, we serve meals of proven quality at an affordable price. Our mission is to democratise catering products, i.e. to make them accessible to literally everyone – says Jerzy Roguski, Chief Officer for Commercial Affairs and Trade Development at Żabka Polska.
Hot dog from Żabka best in "blind" tests
During "blind" hot dog tests conducted in September 2023 as part of a survey of consumer preferences for these products, the hot dog from Żabka was rated best in terms of most attributes, including taste, smell and quality[1]. According to the respondents, its strengths are mainly: the crunchiness of the bun, the degree of seasoning of the sausage, its texture and meatiness. Żabka's flagship hot snack also received the highest purchase intention index - as many as 92 per cent of those taking part in the tests expressed a desire to buy it.
The favourite snack in standard, coloured and XXL versions
Hot dogs can be bought in all stationary Żabka shops, they are also on offer in seasonal outlets and mobile Żabka stores - during concerts and cultural events. In two stores (in Warsaw and Poznań) this snack is also prepared by Robbie the robot. Żabka's customers can try a dozen or so different flavour combinations of the hot dog, choosing the type of sausage and sauce they like and, if they are hungry, they can choose an XXL version of the hot dog. They can also choose unique, colourful hot dogs, which appear in the chain's stores as part of temporary offers. These already include the Black Dog, a limited black version of this warm snack prepared for Black Friday, the pink Love Dog for St. Valentine's Day, the Summer Dog - a "sunny" version for summer or the purple Prymus hot dog, offered in the first days of September.
Crispy panini full of toppings
Several variants of the delicious panini are available at Żabka Café, such as those with mushrooms, chicken, cheddar cheese or ham and jalapeño. The palates of fans of this crunchy snack have also been conquered by novelties in 2023: the panini Italiano, with sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and chicken with basil sauce, and the mushroom panini with aromatic mushroom sauce, cheddar cheese and roast bacon.
Żabka the leader of the gastronomy offer in Poland
Żabka is the largest chain of food outlets in Poland. Its offer includes not only hot dogs and paninis but also pizza wraps and many sweets - from croissants to yeast cakes, donuts and doughnuts. In more than 3,000 selected Żabka shops, crunchy snacks from the #PROSTOzPIECA offer are also available: casseroles, fries, churros, nuggets, chicken pops and chicken strips, as well as products in sets: crispbox nuggets with fries, crispbox chicken pops with fries and crispbox strips with fries. There is also no shortage of hot coffee and other hot drinks.
More information about the offer can be found at: https://www.zabka.pl/zabka-cafe
[1] Survey "Hot dog evaluation", carried out on 25-30.09.2023 by J. S. Hamilton Poland on a total sample of 300 people - hot dog consumers.
Together with other retail leaders, Żabka Group is encouraging participation in the international Disrupt Retail programme. It is an opportunity for innovative companies to test solutions within companies that collectively operate around 22,000 stores and are used by millions of customers every day.
The companies participating in Disrupt Retail are leading retailers in their home markets. In addition to Żabka Group, these are EDEKA - the largest retailer in Germany with more than 11,000 stores, MC - the market leader in food retail in Portugal with more than 1,400 stores, and Shufersal - the dominant retailer in the Israeli market with a network of more than 400 stores. The foreign partners bring their unique experiences and perspectives to the programme, creating a dynamic environment for startups to grow.
– Participating in Disrupt Retail will not only allow us to reach an even wider audience of innovation creators but will also enable us to exchange experiences and knowledge with international retail leaders. Together, we can allow innovation creators to present their solutions to a wide range of consumers in the region, thereby taking retail to the next level – says Karol Gajewicz, Head of Venture Studio, Żabka Group.
A new dimension in retailing
Within Disrupt Retail, retailers are looking for solutions with a particular focus on 3 main areas: In-Store Operations (solutions that will streamline in-store processes, increase employee productivity and improve the customer's shopping experience), Retail Media (breakthroughs in advertising technology, digital displays, augmented reality and any other media that push the boundaries and realise the full potential of retail media) and Data & Customer Insights (innovative platforms or tools that can harness, analyse and transform the vast pool of data into actionable strategies).
Opportunity to pilot in 4 international companies
Participation in the programme is a chance for startups to pilot with four different companies. Each retailer will have the chance to work individually with a selected startup, which opens up new perspectives for both the retail sector and innovative entrepreneurs.
Applications for Disrupt Retail are being accepted until February 4, this year, and the creators of projects that make it to the pilot stage will be informed of the opportunity to collaborate in March this year.
More information about the programme can be found at: https://disruptretail.tech.
Żabka continues to develop its loyalty programme. Spotify has joined the group of partners whose unique offers are available to Żappka app users in a special "All for żapps" section. From now on, customers of the chain can exchange the żapps or loyalty points, they collect in the app for a 3-month free Spotify Premium membership for new users. In this way, they can quickly and conveniently access the digital music and podcast platform and use it in the spirit of convenience.
To get a code for Spotify Premium, you need to create an account or log in Żappka app. Then exchange the żapps you have for a code from Spotify available in the "All for żapps" section. You can also get the free code in Żabu game, where it is available as one of the prizes.
The voucher earned must be activated by joining Spotify Premium on the website https://www.spotify.com/pl/ppt/zabka/. Then enter the code you received in Żappka app in the "Verify your code" field. From then on, you can now enjoy 3 months of Spotify Premium for free[1]!
The Spotify Premium with Żabka offer is valid until 22.12.2025 and applies only for new users of the Premium Individual plan. After the end of the trial period, the fee will be PLN 23.99/month. Cancellation of the service is possible at any time.
What else do Żabka and Spotify have in common?
Żabka chain, like Spotify, joined the Wrapped trend by providing users of Żappka app with a summary of their shopping year. They were able to find out from it which Żabka store they shopped at most often, how many times they visited the chain's stores during the year and how many żapps they earned in 2023. The chain also reported in the summary that the most popular product picked up for żapps in the past year was the hot dog.
"All for żapps" - how does it work?
"All for żapps" is a special section in the ever-expanding Żappka app, featuring unique offers from external partners. It was launched at the end of April 2023. The offers in "All for żapps" are presented in Żappka app in the same way as the existing coupons that allow you to exchange żapps for products from Żabka range. Benefits from partners will be displayed directly after clicking on the coupon. Once it has been activated, the app user will be shown the coupon with the reward, i.e. with a promotional code and information on how to collect the benefit from the partner.
Żappka and its "green currency"
Loyalty points, or so-called żapps, are awarded to customers for shopping in Żabka stores with the Żappka mobile application. To date, Żappka has already been downloaded by more than 13 million users and is actively used by more than 7 million people.
Information on how many żapps the customer currently has in his or her account and which products he or she can exchange them for is visible in the app in the "Coupons" section. Coupons can be activated when the number of collected żapps corresponds to their value. Products for żapps can also be collected in unmanned stores using special coupons designed for Żabka Nano (found in the "Nano" area of Żappka app). They are visible at the top of the app and marked with an 'N' next to the coupon.
To have a say in what else should be included in the "All for żapps", visit Żabka Discord server and enter the #co-za-żapps channel. The chain's server has more than 17,000 users and there are several activations available there, where you can earn extra żapps to use in the benefits section as well. More about the application: https://www.zabka.pl/aplikacja-zappka
[1] Premium Offer Terms - Spotify
Żabka is introducing further solutions that will allow it to be even closer to its customers. From now on, anyone who loves online competition can compete with players from all over the world in one of the most popular games - Fortnite. As part of the educational experience "Story Hunt: Poznań", a virtual map of Poznań has been created, where players will get a chance to learn about fragments of the history of our country and the capital of the Greater Poland region itself through several challenges. Each player will be able to meet the character Żabu and start a race through the streets around Poznań's Old Market Square. The player's task is to collect the largest number of żapps located on the map in the shortest possible time.
– Given global trends and the growing importance of gaming as a channel to communicate with customers, Żabka's presence in the Fortnite world is no coincidence. Today, the platform brings together almost 400 million gamers around the world, and many iconic brands target the young generation with their products. We could not miss it either –emphasises Sebastian Szaraniec, Marketing Communication & Innovation Director at Żabka Polska.
Compete and learn about the legends of Poznań
The way to face the tasks prepared by Żabka in the Fortnite world is extremely simple. All you have to do is take on the challenges prepared in the learning experience "Story Hunt: Poznan". The player will have to help find one of the two goats after it gets lost in a crowd of tourists visiting the city. The animals are known from a local legend. The player will also encounter several other tasks in the game. One of them will be related to Żabka and will be handed over by Żabu, a virtual frog known from the game available on Żappka app. The challenge is based on an exciting race through the streets of virtual Poznań - the city where one of the largest convenience store chains was established over 25 years ago. While traversing the virtual streets of Poznań's Old Town, the player will be faced with the task of winning as many virtual żapps as possible in the shortest possible time. On the route of the race, in addition to charming tenement houses and shops modelled on Żabka stores from the real world, the player will also meet people trying to thwart his or her plans to achieve the goal of the game. Other buildings, such as the company headquarters, will also appear on the map of the challenge.
In addition to the race, players from all over the world will be introduced to elements of the history of Poland and of Poznań itself. Those who take on the challenges of "Story Hunt: Poznan" will learn about the history of the first king of Poland, as well as the well-known regional delicacy, the St. Martin's croissant (Rogal świętomarciński). They will also come face to face with the evil cook Bartholomew.
The realisation was prepared by Realtime Squad, a studio originating from the capital of Greater Poland and specialising in creating maps and challenges for Fortnite.
– When creating the virtual world of Poznań, we were guided by the vision of creating a place to reflect how we see and perceive the history and culture of this unique city. Our goal was to create an engaging, interactive story to entertain players while allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the history of Poznań. We welcome the opportunity to showcase the beauty of Poznań to a wider audience. We want the virtual replica of the city we are creating to be a place also for those who have contributed to its development. We think it is important to give recognition to companies that have developed in the local community and thus built it up. That is why we are very pleased to be working with Żabka, whose roots grow out of Poznań, and we are looking forward to presenting it on our virtual patch of land – Realtime Squad points out.
Communication in tandem with new technologies
The placement of Żabka in Fortnite is not the only example of the strong involvement of new technologies in the company's communication activities. In the last few months alone, lovers of virtual games have been given the chance to compete in competitions that await them in Żabu game available in Żappka app, or the game with educational elements "Żabka Run: Porcja DobreGO!" prepared as part of the "Porcja DobreGO!" nutrition programme on the Roblox platform.
Żabka is supporting the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (WOŚP in Polish) for another year and is setting up the most numerous staff in Poland - on January 8 this year, the collection started in more than 10,000 stores of the chain. The chain's customers can support the campaign both by throwing donations to the Foundation's colourful cans located near checkouts and virtually, by donating loyalty points, i.e. żapps, collected in the Żappka mobile application. Users of the application will also be encouraged to support this year's GOCC Finale by Żabu, wearing an Orchestra volunteer's T-shirt.
- Together with Żabka franchisees and their employees, we are once again constituting the biggest staff of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity in Poland. We feel proud that our franchisees, customers and employees are so willing to get involved in helping those in need. We hope that thanks to this, we will once again donate a significant amount to the Foundation. In addition, our Żabu will also support us in the collection in the mobile app for the first time – says Adam Manikowski, Executive Vice President of the Management Board, Żabka Group, Managing Director of Żabka Polska.
The 32nd Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity can be supported traditionally by throwing donations to colourful cans available in over 10,000 Żabka stores across Poland, as well as in Żappka app, which is already used by over 7 million active users. The donation of loyalty points (żapps) collected therein to the GOCC will be encouraged by Żabu, the hero of the chain's virtual game, who will wear a Foundation volunteer's T-shirt, especially for the occasion between January 24-28.
Żabka has been supporting the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation for many years, taking an active part in the collections. Last year, thanks to the involvement of customers and franchisees, the company donated PLN 2 million to the 31st Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity.
This year's GOCC Finale will take place on January 28 this year. Its goal is: "Lungs after the pandemic. We play for children and adults," and the motto of the collection is 'Everything is OK here!'. The funds raised will be used to purchase equipment for the diagnosis, monitoring and rehabilitation of lung diseases for patients in pulmonology wards for children and adults.
Soups are one of the Szamamm brand's most popular ready meals among Żabka customers. For years, the chain has offered several types of soups for self-heating. Now Żabka, as the first retail chain in Poland, is introducing a new, innovative product to the brand's portfolio - Zupa na Drogę (Soup for the Road) in a specially designed bottle that allows it to be heated without the need to pour it and on the spot - in the store. By purchasing the product, customers gain the ability to have warm soup wherever and whenever they want. All they need is access to a microwave oven.
– When creating our private label product offerings at Żabka, we always do our best to respond to current nutritional trends and consumer needs. We are the first in Poland to allow customers to buy soup in a handy bottle, which can already be heated up by a salesperson in the store. Zupa na Drogę (Soup for the Road) is an innovative 'on the go' product - the packaging has been designed in such a way that it can be effortlessly held in the hand, which makes it possible to freely consume it during everyday activities such as a walk or a break at work or university –says Elżbieta Noga, Innovation and NPD Director at Żabka Polska.
Unscrew, heat and drink!
Zupa na Drogę (Soup for the Road) Szamamm is available in a 330 ml bottle for PLN 7.99/unit, with Żappka mobile app: PLN 6.99/unit (until January 16, 2024). There are two flavours to choose from: tomato and pumpkin. The soups contain no preservatives or artificial colouring.
The only bottle in Poland allowing the product to be heated
The new Szamamm soups are available in specially prepared bottles made of heat-resistant polypropylene. These are the only bottles in Poland that allow the product to be heated in a microwave oven. Their launch was preceded by a series of meticulous tests and trials. A prototype was made using a 3D printer. The shape and dimensions were refined to make the final product as convenient to use as possible. A series of laboratory tests were also carried out to confirm that the bottle was suitable for direct food contact.
Szamamm product - another Porcja DobreGo! (Portion of Goodness!)
The "Porcja DobreGO!" (Portion of Goodness!)programme aims to promote well-balanced and tasty meals that can be a quick solution for any time of day, offering a wide range of ready meals and snacks. Szamamm is one of Żabka's private labels, under which the chain offers ready-made lunch dishes, with no added preservatives, in portions that are perfect all at once. They can be prepared in a flash, e.g. by reheating in the microwave oven and eaten comfortably at work or home. The range includes traditional dishes, such as soups, dumplings, pancakes or cutlets, as well as dishes inspired by world cuisines - from Italian to flavours of the Middle and Far East. Specially labelled meat-free variants are also available. More information about the brand: https://www.zabka.pl/tylko-u-nas/Szamamm
Marking its 25th anniversary this year, Żabka Group concluded the acquisition of a majority stake, forming in a partnership with one of the leading FMCG distribution players in Romania – DRIM Daniel Distributie. The transaction is subject to the customary regulatory approvals.
With over 10,000 stores, door-to-door delivery, digital solutions, and servicing more than 3 million customers daily, Żabka Group stands as a leading name in modern convenience across Europe.
Żabka Group's entry into the Romanian market is the result of the consistent development of a convenience concept and ecosystem with a potential for expansion into European markets. International expansion aligns with the comprehensive growth strategy adopted by the Group in 2021. After obtaining regulatory approvals from Romanian authorities for the transaction, the priority will be to continue an accelerated development of DRIM, driven by the combination of the strong market position of DRIM with the convenience retail expertise and the financial strength of Żabka Group.
- We are building a partnership with the company that benefits from an immense trust from its business partners and customers in the domestic market, but it also grows adhering to the standards to which we are committed at Żabka. Shared values, mutual respect, and the trust form a solid foundation for a strategic partnership and the ambitious projects we have in our plans. We devoted the past quarter-century to a dynamic growth in Poland, and today we embark on the next stage, which involves commencing operations in a new European market - says Tomasz Suchański, CEO of Żabka Group.
Track record of the growth and the future development potential of the Romanian market, coupled with the consumer profile similar to the Polish one, positions Romania as a natural geographic direction for the Group's expansion. This groundbreaking step follows an in-depth analysis of the Romanian market and local consumer preferences studies. Through operational presence in this market, Żabka Group will gain knowledge and experience, enabling informed decisions regarding potential further investments in Romania and the selection of suitable areas for development from the wide portfolio of the Group.
- This is a strategic investment that provides the entire Group with a unique perspective for further development and access to the new market through a partnership with one of the largest local distributors of FMCG products. The partnership with DRIM will undoubtedly contribute to increasing our potential to offer innovative solutions to our customers and partners, enable further diversification of our operations, and provide the additional growth – comments Tomasz Blicharski, Vice President of the Board, Managing Director of Żabka Future/EVP.
- Me and my family are very enthusiastic about our partnership with Żabka Group. We believe it’s step which will take our organization to the next level. The foundation of this partnership is very solid, as we share very similar values, we are aligned on the opportunities on the Romanian market and we are driven by the enthusiasm needed to pursue those opportunities.
What weighted very strongly in our decision to enter the partnership with Żabka are the immense possibilities available to our key stakeholders: Customers, Employees and Suppliers -says Radu Trandafir, Strategy Manager of DRIM Daniel Distributie FMCG.
DRIM Daniel Distributie is a family-owned company with extensive experience in the industry, enjoying significant respect in Romania and currently managed by the second generation of founders' successors. In nearly 30 years of operation, it has built an advanced logistics infrastructure and solidified its position as a reliable partner among suppliers and owners of traditional stores. As a result, it has become one of the largest distribution networks of FMCG products in the local market, employing over 800 people and supplying around 12,000 traditional retail stores.
Żabka has begun testing new scenarios for its augmented reality (AR) mobile game Żabu. From now on, Żabu XR allows players to play the game from home, as well as collect points when visiting selected stores of the chain. By interacting with virtual characters and products in-store, competition between players is also possible.
New augmented reality Żabu game scenarios have been prepared by startup Omniaz in collaboration with Apzumi for 200 test stores in Poznań and Warsaw. Żappka users in these cities have been able to test the new Żabu game functionality since December 18, this year.
- Żabu XR is an innovative project by Venture Studio in collaboration with the team behind the Żabu game. With it, we are using virtual and augmented reality technology for the first time in the Żappka app. We see great potential in being able to showcase products and services in the game, developed by us in collaboration with partners. We hope that the exciting new adventures of Żabu XR will draw another group of our customers into the game," says Karol Gajewicz, Head of Venture Studio.
Żabu XR's ground-breaking technology opens up a new marketing channel because XR in Żappka also means new opportunities for suppliers working with the chain. Thanks to this innovative solution, they have the opportunity to present their products in a more engaging and immersive way, and can also promote themselves in an innovative way in the game. For users of the Żappka app, Żabu XR in turn allows them to interact with these products.
Żabu is the only game in the European retail market that is most popular among 20 to 24-year-olds. Growing and caring for their own Żabu has already been undertaken by nearly two million Żappka users.
Żabu is a 3D-animated virtual frog that reacts to the customer's behaviour: it evolves and gains levels depending on the purchases made by the player, including those realised thanks to the żapps collected in the account. Users can personalise their Żabu character by purchasing various accessories. The game consists of breeding and regularly caring for the Żabu character they have created. Upon reaching selected levels, prize boxes await players - free żapps, products or shopping discounts. The task for those playing Żabu XR is to earn as many points as possible and reach level after level to become the Żabu XR champion. By participating in the game, users also collect żapps - 10 points earned in Żabu XR equals 1 żapps they receive in the Żappka mobile app.
Żabu XR is now available in the entertainment section of the Żabu game. You can find out whether a given store is participating in the test from the Żappka app based on your location.
The Żappka app can be downloaded for free from the Google Play, Apple App Store and Huawei AppGallery mobile shops. Żabu XR is only available for players using AR-enabled Android phones.
A child's smile? Priceless! To bring it to life on the faces of the young patients of two Poznań hospitals, Żabka, in cooperation with the International Police Association IPA, gave them presents on the occasion of St. Nicholas' Day. The company's employees and police officers jointly prepared 600 parcels. The roles of Santa Claus and his elves were played by officers of the Intervention Desk of the Police Staff Department of the Municipal Police Headquarters in Poznań and on December 6 they visited patients of the Greater Poland Children's Health Centre on Wrzoska Street and the Karol Jonscher Clinical Hospital of the Karol Marcinkowski Medical University on Szpitalna Street in Poznań.
This is the third edition of the joint St. Nicholas' Day action. The initiative, aimed at young patients of Poznań hospitals, brings joy not only to the kids but also a lot of smiles to their parents and medical staff.
– We care about the well-being of the youngest who are in hospitals during St. Nicholas' Day and do not always have the opportunity to receive presents. That is why once again this year dozens of volunteers from Żabka, together with the International Police Association IPA and officers from the Intervention Unit of the Police Staff Department of the Municipal Police Headquarters in Poznań, organized an action in which as many as 600 parcels were given to children from Poznań hospitals. Such gestures help children forget about their troubles for a while, and for us, it is a great joy to be able to help in this way – says Katarzyna Przewęzikowska, Manager of the External Relations and CSR Team at Żabka Polska.
The Santa Claus action started at 9:00 a.m. Police officers from the Poznań Intervention Unit first visited the youngest patients of the Karol Jonscher Clinical Hospital of the Poznań Medical University and then visited children hospitalized at the Greater Poland Children's Health Centre. The arrival of the police carriage of Santa Claus and his Elves began with a display of unmarked police cars. Afterward, a police officer dressed as Santa Claus, assisted by uniformed officers, made his way to the wards to present the children with gifts specially prepared for the occasion.
– The happiness and joy on children's faces is the greatest satisfaction of the undertaken initiatives, including those on the occasion of St. Nicholas' Day. Once again, members of the International Police Officers' Association in cooperation with Żabka actively joined the campaign – adds Hanna Wachowiak, a member of IPA Poznań
– This day is special for us too. It is when we put aside our daily duties and the police officers of the Enforcement Group do not chase after criminals but, through our actions, bring smiles to the faces of children from Poznań hospitals. We have been doing this invariably for several years, and in this form, we have been operating for three. It is almost a tradition for us. We know that the little ones are waiting for our arrival, presents, and photos with Santa. We could not let them down this year either. Although we know that not all the children will be able to go home for Christmas, we left them with lots of good energy and wishes for a speedy recovery, believing that their dreams will come true. We are happy that we can make them happy – emphasizes Sub-Comm. Marta Mróz, Press Officer of the Municipal Police Headquarters in Poznań.
The Santa parcels were prepared as part of employee volunteering. For three days, at the Żabka Group Headquarters, both the company's employees and police officers packed 600 gifts for the charges of Poznan hospitals. A real 'Santa's Village' was created in the lobby of the office building.
Żabka Group was included in Diversity Leaders 2024 ranking of The Financial Times, which covers 850 companies. Among Polish organizations, the Group took a place on the podium. Its presence in the list confirms the company's strong position among European diversity leaders.
Diversity and inclusive organizational culture is one of the areas with a strategic dimension for Żabka Group. The company's daily decisions are guided by an equality approach that is based on objective, fair, and unbiased evaluation. Creating an environment in which every person, regardless of age, gender, family situation, or economic status, has equal opportunities, feels safe, and is respected and appreciated for the quality and value of the work they do is an ongoing process. Żabka Group conducts, among other things, equality-inclusive training for male and female employees, organizes anti-discrimination webinars, as well as inclusive leadership training for male and female leaders. Employees and female employees are involved in educational campaigns, such as "Żabka is people", in which their non-worker side was shown. Żabka Group was the first Polish company to obtain the Equal Salary certificate, which confirms that there is no gender pay gap. The company is also involved in external initiatives such as the Diversity Charter or Target Gender Equity. In this way, Żabka Group creates an organizational culture capable of recognizing and enhancing the potential of everyone, while creating an environment based on cooperation and sharing experiences.
Diversity Leaders 2024 ranking, created by the UK's Financial Times in partnership with research firm Statista, is the result of the most comprehensive research into diversity and inclusion standards in the workplace. The final list of 850 companies is the result of an independently conducted survey of more than 100,000 employees from 16 countries.
Żabka is constantly looking for solutions that make its customers' lives easier and free up their time. New store formats are an example of such initiatives. One of them is Żabka Non Stop, which opened in Warsaw. It is a hybrid formula that allows customers to shop 24/7. The second concept is the Żabka Drive store located in Piaseczno, which allows customers to order and pick up products from the Żabka Café offer without leaving their car. Both store formats were opened in a jubilee year for Żabka, in which the chain is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Two new Żabka formats have been launched in Warsaw and Piaseczno. Żabka Non Stop is a store that operates as a standard outlet of the Żabka chain between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. - customers will meet a well-known and well-liked salesperson there, the store offers a catering area, all convenient services and a full range of products. On the other hand, during the night hours, i.e. from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., the store turns into an autonomous Żabka Nano, which can be entered using a payment card or the Żappka mobile app with a payment card connected to Żappka Pay, and shopping is unattended and cashless. This means that during the night hours at Żabka Non Stop, all you have to do is take the products of your choice from the shelf and... leave. Regardless of whether we turn up at Żabka Non Stop at 7 a.m. or 1 a.m., there are products from Żabka private label range waiting for us, such as Szamamm ready meals, Tomcio Paluch sandwiches, Foodini liquid snacks, Wycisk juices and lemonades and hot, freshly ground coffee from the coffee machine.
Another novelty is the Żabka Drive located in Piaseczno, where shopping can be done without getting out of the car. In this store, customers will find an extended range of snacks known from Żabka Café. Available among others are hot dogs, casseroles, burgers, wraps, and paninis, as well as sweet snacks such as cupcakes, doughnuts, and yeast cakes. Lovers of sweet desserts will be pleased to be able to purchase shakes and Italian ice cream. These products are sold in three flavors: vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate. There will also be a wide assortment of our customers' favorite warm drinks, namely aromatic coffees, which can be drunk with both traditional and oat milk.
For customers who appreciate the opportunity to do traditional shopping, there is a spacious car park adjacent to the store. At Żabka Drive, you will also find a special area where you can sit down, eat, and rest before continuing your journey, as well as a place to charge the batteries in your mobile devices.
– For 25 years, Żabka's priority has been to create value for our customers. The new store formats not only respond to their needs but also simplify their lives and free up their time. Żabka Drive and Żabka Non Stop are the results of the path we have taken from small, traditional stores to a modern convenience ecosystem that delivers products and services to more than 3 million customers every day,” – says Adam Manikowski, Executive Vice President of the Management Board, Żabka Group, Managing Director of Żabka Polska.
New store concepts are created with the active participation of Żabka franchisees, for whom the possibility of running a store in a new format is an opportunity to develop their business. - I have been connected with the Żabka chain for almost 10 years, including 6 years as a franchisee. Initially, I helped my mother, but today I run my store. I have also been a member of the Franchisee Council and a Franchisee Change Partner. Professional and personal development is extremely important to me, hence the decision to run a Żabka Drive store. I am convinced that the new format will meet the expectations of customers on the go, who from now on can reach for their favorite product known from Żabka Café without leaving their car. What's more, my outlet will be the first to boast delicious shakes, which will certainly have a group of fans of their own," emphasizes Patryk Nogaj, franchisee of Żabka Drive in Piaseczno near Warsaw.
The first Żabka Non Stop is located at 64a Wolska Street in Warsaw, and its sales floor area is 46 sq m. Żabka Drive, on the other hand, is located in Piaseczno at 44d Puławska Street, and its sales floor area is 140 sq m.
A hot dog will be sold by Robbie the robot at Żabka in the Old Brewery
The 10,000th jubilee Żabka was opened on October 27, this year in Stary Browar (Old Brewery), well-known to the people of Poznań. The shopping center is visited by around 9 million people every year, who from now on will be able to enjoy Żabka's wide range of products and convenient services. Customers will also be in for a surprise - Robbie the robot - which will prepare and serve the iconic Żabka snack, the hot dog, with automatic precision. On the day of the grand opening, a commemorative mural is being created near the anniversary shop. A mosaic of 2,000 photographs is being created throughout Friday with the help of Stary Browar customers. The whole will form a specially designed logo for the 10,000th store.
– The opening of the 10,000th store is a milestone in the development of Żabka chain. We wouldn't have reached it if it wasn't for our franchisees who take care of customer relations and build a positive image of our brand daily. It is with them in mind that we develop our chain and make our franchise offer more attractive by adding more benefits and modern tools. Such activities are also expected of us by customers, for whom Żabka's second heart beats. That is why we are constantly reaching out to new places and surprising them with innovative solutions to respond even better to consumers' needs and make life easier for millions of them every day –says Adam Manikowski, Executive Vice President of the Management Board, Żabka Group, Managing Director of Żabka Polska.
Norbert Kruk, who has been with the chain for several years, became the franchisee of the anniversary store. – Żabka stays ahead of market trends by responding to the changing needs of consumers as well as our franchisees. I have been cooperating with the chain for 6 years, running Żabka Eko Smart in Poznań and a store located in the company's headquarters. I am glad that I will be managing the jubilee outlet, which combines technology with pro-environmental solutions increasing energy efficiency – emphasizes Norbert Kruk.
A hot dog is prepared by a robot
One of the innovative solutions used in the 10,000th store is a custom-made robot serving hot dogs for Żabka. Żabka Nano customers are already familiar with Robbie. The first such device was installed in an autonomous store in Warsaw at 54 Dobra St. Now this innovative solution has been used for the first time in a traditional store. Thanks to Robbie, customers of the outlet in Stary Browar, in addition to quick shopping or hot coffee from the coffee machine, can order a quick, hot meal prepared without contact. – Taking care of a positive shopping experience for consumers is a priority for me. I hope that the now-famous Robbie the robot, serving the iconic hot dogs, will provide my customers with a unique experience and that my store will stand out in the market thanks to it – adds the franchisee of the 10,000th store.
Eco Smart solutions
The 10,000th store also uses state-of-the-art fridges to reduce the energy required to cool the goods. The insulation of these fridges and the refrigerated counter next to the checkout is made of hemp seed mats, which have very good thermal properties. Inside the freezer cabinets and the refrigerated counter, glycol shelves have been installed to store the cold and release it at critical moments of the unit's operation, such as during external breakdowns.
The store also has the latest generation of air purification system - Safe Air - which cleans the air of harmful pollutants, also absorbing the smallest particles, including viruses and bacteria. The air conditioning installed in the store, through a centralized system, makes it possible to control temperatures, which reduces electricity consumption.
Jubilee mosaic mural
An attraction awaits the customers of the 10,000th Żabka store. On the day of the opening, they have a unique opportunity to create a mosaic mural from photographs taken in a special photo booth. The photographs taken by customers, printed in the appropriate color and pasted in a designated place, will form a jubilee logotype - 10 000 Żabek, TEJ! The composition will consist of as many as 2,000 photographs.
Jubilee Żabka in Stary Browar shopping centre (Poznań, 42 Półwiejska St.), is located near the entrance from the car park and escalators (level 0, pavilion 207). The outlet is open from Monday to Saturday between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. and on Sundays between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.