Gaming cafe franchise Friendly Fire has announced the appointment of Andrii Romanenko, the former CEO of Domino’s Pizza Ukraine, to its leadership team. Romanenko joins the gaming lifestyle brand after more than a decade leading Domino’s in Ukraine, bringing a wealth of experience in franchise operations and international brand growth.

Romanenko served as CEO of Domino’s Ukraine for 12 years, playing a pivotal role in expanding the franchise’s presence and cementing its reputation in a highly competitive market. His move to Friendly Fire as Chief Business Development Officer signals the company’s intent to bolster its franchise model and prepare for large-scale international expansion – in May, they announced an expansion of over 100 new locations across Europe.

In a LinkedIn post, Romanenko shared his thoughts about the new role: “I’m excited to join the Friendly Fire team and help strengthen our franchise model as we scale. With a clear vision, operational excellence, and a passionate community, Friendly Fire has everything it takes to become a leading global brand. I look forward to working closely with our franchise partners to build something truly outstanding.”

Romanenko’s appointment is expected to accelerate Friendly Fire’s next phase of growth. The company is actively expanding its physical presence through branded cafés and retail spaces that serve as hubs for gaming fans and content creators.

“Andrii brings heavyweight franchise experience to the table,” said Friendly Fire co-founder David Kosir. “This is a huge step for us and me personally. Thanks Andrii for your trust in our vision!”

Romanenko’s extensive experience of operational strategy, customer engagement, and franchise management is set to play a critical role in shaping the future of the brand. The executive’s leadership is seen as a major asset in ensuring the company delivers a consistent, high-quality experience across its expanding network.