Friendly Fire raises $4.7M for gaming cafes
Croatian gaming cafe franchisor Friendly Fire has raised $4.7 million from AYMO Ventures. The company plans to use the capital to support operations and technology development as it aims to sell franchises in the United States.
Croatian gaming café franchisor Friendly Fire has raised $4.7 million in a Series A funding round led by Zagreb-based AYMO Ventures. The capital, raised in late August 2026, is planned for ongoing operations and technology platform development as the company prepares to sell franchises in the United States.
According to its English-language announcement, the investment will support the company's vision to become the largest gaming cafe chain globally. Founder and CEO David Kosir stated the partnership provides "real wind at our backs." The investor statement from AYMO Ventures highlighted the importance of the company's proprietary technology layer and its proven business model.
Financial and Operational Details
The funding comes as the company's operational scale remains modest. According to the Croatian Financial Agency's business register, the Zagreb-based operating entity, Friendly Fire d.o.o., is classified as a micro enterprise. Its financial performance over the last three years is shown below.
| Year | Revenue (EUR) | Revenue (USD) | Net Profit (EUR) | Net Profit (USD) | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €359,391 | $419,000 | €181,072 | $211,000 | N/A |
| 2024 | €751,690 | $877,000 | €210 | $245 | 2 |
| 2025 | €998,427 | $1.17 million | €136,990 | $160,000 | 4 |
These figures cover only the Croatian subsidiary and not the Delaware parent company where franchise fees would be recorded. The operating figures were provided by the company and were not independently verified by The Esports Advocate.
The Franchise Pipeline
Friendly Fire claims to operate 22 locations across six countries, though its homepage lists 20 venues in five countries. The company says its platform has over 220,000 registered gamers and its venues have hosted more than 1,000 amateur tournaments.
Its forward pipeline now consists of 31 signed franchise agreements representing 178 future locations across 11 countries. This is a reduction from the "more than 200" franchises the company reported as being in development in January and June of 2026. The largest commitment is a 100-unit master franchise deal signed in May 2025 for the UK, Spain, Poland, and Ukraine, with an estimated total value between €10 million and €15 million.
The distinction is critical: the new $4.7 million is franchisor capital. Building out the 178 locations in the pipeline would require an estimated $39 million to $70 million from franchisees, based on previously reported opening costs of $218,400 to $390,685 per location.
Market Context and U.S. Plans
The gaming cafe and esports bar sector has seen recent difficulties. In France, the franchised Kappa Meltdown Group entered judicial liquidation in 2024. In the United States, Belong Gaming Arenas ceased operations in 2023, and youth esports operators Valhallan and XP League merged in late 2025.
Friendly Fire's U.S. expansion will target Florida and Texas, with plans to open the first American location in the fourth quarter of 2026. The company will work through its Canadian master franchise partner and will only accept multi-unit operators. Entering the U.S. market subjects Friendly Fire to the FTC's Franchise Rule, which mandates specific disclosures to prospective buyers and prohibits claims about financial performance.
