Investment & Fund Management

Batak Grill, a restaurant chain in Croatia, faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly after the lockdown began on March 19. The horeca sector was severely impacted, and Batak Grill needed to adapt quickly to survive. Recognizing the necessity of generating revenue during the closure, the company pivoted to enhance its digital presence. They initiated a comprehensive digitalization revamp, which included launching a new website, expanding their delivery services to encompass all menu items, and creating a web shop that offered frozen foods for customers to prepare at home.

To support these changes, Batak Grill secured an EU-guaranteed loan from Erstebank Croatia, backed by the European Investment Fund (EIF). This financial assistance was crucial in implementing the digital transformation, which involved complex adjustments such as ensuring compliance with GDPR, optimizing the website for mobile devices, enhancing search engine visibility, and investing in marketing strategies. The results of these efforts were notable; while sales initially declined due to the pandemic, the new online platform allowed Batak Grill to mitigate losses through delivery services. The reduction in VAT from 25% to 13% also contributed positively to their financial situation. Importantly, the restaurant did not have to lay off any staff during this challenging period.

Looking ahead, Batak Grill plans to continue its digital initiatives by integrating business intelligence systems to improve financial and operational reporting. This ongoing commitment to digitalization is expected to enhance their ability to monitor activities and adapt to market changes effectively, positioning the restaurant for future growth and resilience.