The Catalan chain Transgourmet shoots up with more than 800 franchises in Spain

A network growing without limits often seems like just a matter of numbers. But behind every new Transgourmet Ibérica franchise there is a very real challenge: competing in a saturated and demanding market. With more than 800 franchises already operating in Spain, this Catalan chain not only wants to occupy space but also to make a difference.

According to 2025 data, the company opened 146 new stores, and for 2026 the forecast is at least 40 more. Jordi Arredondo, director of the Retail line, assures that the priority is not quantity, but quality and adaptation to current consumption trends.

Transgourmet: the formula to grow in Spain

What drives the expansion?

The key, according to Arredondo, lies in betting on local producers and fresh products, as well as boosting a greater presence of own brands so that customers don’t find the same anywhere else. This differentiated approach is what allows them to withstand the pressure of competition, which is fierce.

Of the 146 openings last year, 28 were franchises under the Suma brand, 4 of Spar, 37 Nuditrans centers, 40 establishments from Moyá Saus, and 37 more from the agreement with Lobee. Additionally, 82 stores were renovated to keep them up to date with consumer demands.

The keys to urban convenience

The urban market increasingly demands quick and healthy options. Transgourmet has detected a strong demand from a consumer who wants to shop in proximity stores with extended hours, valuing ease and speed in purchases.

This is where their new franchise format, Fres&Go, comes into play, created to offer immediate products, ready to consume and adapted to new habits, especially in cities. According to Arredondo, “this efficient model is the one that best responds to the new consumer needs.”

Transgourmet’s strategy to consolidate itself

Priority on quality over quantity

In a market where it seems whoever opens more stores wins, Transgourmet sets itself apart. The idea is not only to grow but to do so with a clear value proposition: fresh, local products and own brands that reinforce the brand identity and build customer loyalty.

Jordi Arredondo insists that “in 2026 they will continue prioritizing quality and adapting to consumption trends, rather than opening franchises without criteria.”

Where is the real battle?

The competition is not only with large chains. Also with proximity supermarkets and new formats aiming to capture the attention of an increasingly demanding consumer. That is why Transgourmet strengthens its presence in the areas where it already operates while maintaining constant renovation of its establishments.

Moreover, the Catalan chain also moves by seeking new formulas to stand out, such as the launch of the Fres&Go franchise, which clearly targets the urban ecosystem where shopping is a matter of minutes.

Market reactions and perspectives

Internal assessments and challenges

Jordi Arredondo recognizes that “the results are very satisfactory,” and that the developed model is capable of quickly adapting to market changes. But it does not stop there: the key will be to continue adjusting to a consumer whose tastes and needs change more and more.

The Catalan chain bets on consolidating its network and deploying formats that connect with urban demand, making each franchise a point of sale that offers more than just a purchase.

The keys set by the sector

Experts in distribution chains emphasize that differentiation in proximity and quality is the best defense against market saturation. Models like Fres&Go are also expected to become a benchmark for other chains wanting to adapt to the new generation of consumers.

To conclude, this expansion of Transgourmet is not just a number but a snapshot of how a Catalan chain is joining the battle for daily shopping with well-thought-out strategies and formats that go beyond the conventional supermarket.

By the way, if you are interested in seeing how other local sectors reinvent themselves, you might like the Catalan poetry and its new ways of connecting with the public.

The reality is that, when it comes to supermarkets and franchises, in Spain there are those who try to do everything at once and those who prefer to do it well, calmly, and in the right direction. Transgourmet seems to have chosen the latter.