As part of an ambitious entry into the Canadian market, the global French-inspired bakery chain Paris Baguette has announced plans to open at least 100 locations in the country, including a dozen in Vancouver.
With nearly 4,000 locations worldwide already, Paris Baguette says it will have a presence in Canada starting in summer 2022, joining the ranks of its outposts in the U.S, Singapore, England, France, and South Korea.
Despite its French-leaning name, Paris Baguette is actually a South Korean company, launched in 1988 "by the Korean businessman Hur Young-in, head of the food and confectionary group SPC," according to The Guardian.
In 2014, Paris Baguette entered the French market, ruffling a few feathers in the process.
The company, which is aggressively seeking franchisees for its "small footprint"-style locations expects to debut next year in Toronto with its "flagship Canadian bakery" in June, according to a media release from Paris Baguette.
From then, the aim is to open several more coast to coast as it "strengthens its presence in western North America." Paris Baguette sees "Vancouver as a natural expansion market for the brand."
Paris Baguette specializes in grab-and go meals, like sandwiches - on baguettes - and salads, as well as pastries like filled croissants, danish, mochi donuts, and cakes. The company's Asian influence is evident in its use of ingredients like red bean paste and rice flour for some of its novelty treats.
