Paris Baguette is accelerating its global expansion with its entry into Laos and an expansion in the North American market. Chairman Huh Young-in's long-term efforts to improve overseas operations and expand networks are beginning to bear fruit.
On September 9, Paris Baguette announced that it opened its first store in Laos at the 'Kokkok Mega Mall Patuxai' in Vientiane, the capital, in July. This marks the first time a domestic bakery company has opened a store in Laos. With this opening, Paris Baguette now operates in seven Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Globally, the company has over 730 stores across 13 countries, including North America, Europe, and Asia.
Laos is a key market in the Mekong economic zone, where urbanization and a growing middle class are rapidly increasing demand for dining and café services. Paris Baguette has been preparing for its entry by signing a master franchise agreement with the local representative company, Korao Group, in 2024. The local store will feature global hits like the 'Fresh Yogurt Cream Cake' and 'Best Ever Garlic Bread,' along with local specialties such as the 'Musang King Durian Roll Cake' to attract consumers.
The company is also building production infrastructure that extends beyond Southeast Asia to the Middle East and North Africa. Last year, Paris Baguette completed a halal-certified production center in Johor, Malaysia, covering an area of 12,900 square meters. In February, it received halal certification for all its stores in Singapore and last month for all its stores in Indonesia. The Malaysian factory has the capacity to produce up to 100 million baked goods annually.
Growth in the North American market is also strong. Since entering the U.S. in 2005, Paris Baguette now operates in 30 states. In May, it opened its first airport store at Philadelphia International Airport, surpassing 300 locations in the region.
In the prestigious business publication Entrepreneur's '2026 Franchise 500,' Paris Baguette ranked 29th overall and first in the bakery café category, becoming the only domestic brand to break into the top 30.
Last year, Paris Baguette opened 77 new stores in North America and plans to add over 150 more this year, aiming for a total of more than 400 locations. In line with this growth, a large-scale bakery factory in Texas, led by Chairman Huh Young-in, began construction in September last year and is expected to serve as a key logistics and production hub for North America upon completion.
A representative from Paris Baguette stated, "With our entry into Laos, we plan to further expand our Southeast Asian operations and continue opening stores in North America to maintain our growth in the global market."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.