Stefan Mandachi

Hi, I’m Stefan Mandachi, and I’m a fighter for change.

I’m not here to give you the typical success story. I started with nothing but relentless drive, big dreams, and a burning desire to leave a mark on the world. 

Over the years, I’ve built businesses from the ground up, launched campaigns that made noise, and poured my heart into causes that matter—because I believe success means nothing unless you use it to create a better world.

Let me take you through my story, one lesson, one challenge, and one triumph at a time.

My early years: from small beginnings to big dreams

I was born in 1986 in the small village of Calarasi and raised in Suceava, Romania. My parents taught me two things that became my guiding principles: the importance of education and the power of integrity. 

I followed their dream for me and studied law. I graduated, then became a lawyer. For two years, I lived in courtrooms, learning discipline, precision, and analytical thinking. But I felt suffocated.

Deep inside, I knew I was meant for something else—something bigger. I wanted to create. To build. To impact lives. I couldn’t picture myself in a suit and tie forever. So, in 2012, I quit law and took a leap of faith that changed my life forever: I opened my first restaurant.

The Spartan story: turning one restaurant into an empire

When I opened Spartan, I had zero experience in the food industry. I didn’t know how to manage staff or run a kitchen. But I had a vision—to bring Greek-inspired fast food to the Romanian market. I believed in it so much that I poured every ounce of my energy (and every cent in my pocket) into that first location.

The early days? Brutal. I did everything: managing inventory, greeting customers, training staff, and yes, even cleaning the floors. I made every mistake you could imagine. I micromanaged everything and was burning myself out. Hard work wasn’t enough. I needed to work smart.

Two years in, I had my big breakthrough: systems were the answer. If I wanted Spartan to grow beyond me, I had to create processes that anyone could follow. I spent countless nights documenting every detail—from recipes to customer service to operations. That became Spartan’s franchise manual.

In 2014, I signed my first franchise agreement. I won’t lie—it was terrifying to let someone else represent my brand. But it worked. 

That first franchise location proved that Spartan wasn’t just a restaurant; it was a replicable business model. From there, the brand exploded. We expanded across Romania, opening over 80 locations and employing 1,200+ people. 

Today, Spartan generates over $235 million annually, making it the largest Greek-inspired fast-food chain in Europe.

Building more than Spartan: my other ventures

In 2018, I opened Hotel Mandachi, a 4-star luxury hotel that I designed and built from the ground up. In just four years, it became Romania’s top-rated 4-star hotel and the first in Suceava to achieve such prestigious recognition.

Beyond this, I pursued my passion for storytelling and filmmaking. In 2016, I graduated from the New York Film Academy in California, USA, where I directed two short films and two feature-length documentaries.

Also, because I believe education is the best investment you can make as an entrepreneur, I launched The Franchise Generator Mentorship Program. Franchising changed my life, and I now mentor other business owners to help them scale their businesses, just like I scaled Spartan.

My philanthropic mission: success means giving back

Success isn’t about the numbers in your bank account. It’s about what you do with it. I’ve always believed that wealth comes with responsibility—and I’ve made it my mission to fight for causes that matter deeply to me:

• Supporting hospitals during COVID-19

When the pandemic hit in 2020, I couldn’t watch my country suffer. I launched a fundraising campaign that raised €1.5 million for Romanian hospitals. We donated thousands of Spartan meals and provided over €350,000 in free services to medical staff. I also financed a mobile intensive care unit worth €700,000, which saved countless lives.

• Animal welfare

Animals hold a special place in my heart. Over the years, I’ve funded the sterilization of over 4,000 stray dogs and found homes for more than 300 abandoned pets. My proudest moment? Winning a historic court case for stray dogs’ rights in Romania.

• Building wells in Africa

In 2022, my dream of bringing clean water to Africa came true. With my team, we built 160 drinking water wells, transforming entire communities. It reminded me that small actions create powerful ripples of change.

• Helping Ukrainian refugees

When war displaced millions, I turned Mandachi Hotel & Spa into a sanctuary. We offered shelter to families, pets, and organized free transportation for over 20,000 refugees. Their resilience taught me the true meaning of strength.

Education: the key to real transformation

I’m obsessed with education. Knowledge changes lives—and that’s why I’ve dedicated much of my energy to sharing what I’ve learned. 

On my podcast, I release videos on business, spirituality, and personal growth for free. Through my mentorship programs, I help entrepreneurs transform their businesses into franchises, just like I did with Spartan.

My personal life and values

I’ve built businesses, fought for causes, and relentlessly pursued my visions—because I refuse to let life pass me by.

To this day, I remain a student of personal growth. I read obsessively, attend every seminar I can, and surround myself with people who inspire me. 

My journey is far from over. Whether in business, philanthropy, or education, I continue to push boundaries and create a legacy that will outlast me.

If there’s one lesson I want you to take away, it’s this: Dreams are powerful, but action is everything. Now, let’s keep building, dreaming, and inspiring—together!