Au Bon Pain opens first outlet under new ownership

Ampex Brands operates more than 400 locations of Yum Brands and 7-Eleven concepts across the US | Photo credit: Ampex Brands

Au Bon Pain has opened a new outlet in Macy’s Queens Center, New York City, the first store opening since Texas-based Ampex Brands acquired the chain, in July 2021. 
 

Acquired for an undisclosed sum from ABP Corporation, a subsidiary of Panera Bread, Ampex Brands said last year that it would enhance Au Bon Pain’s existing US stores in the Notheast and Mid-Atlantic before expanding the company-run footprint.   

It was reported at the time that Au Bon Pain’s 171 US locations would increase Ampex Brand's revenue by approximately 10% annually, with Ampex also gaining franchising rights to an additional 131 locations.  

Ericka Garza, Au Bon Pain’s Brand President, has previously said that the company will continue to pursue store growth in non-traditional locations, such as transportation hubs, airports, universities and hospitals, despite the pandemic hitting trading in these stores last year. System sales in 2021 remained 43% lower than in 2019. 

Under JAB Holdings ownership, many Au Bon Pain locations were converted to Panera Bread stores, shrinking its footprint from roughly 300 locations to 170. 

Founded in 2019, Ampex Brands operates more than 400 locations of Yum Brands and 7-Eleven concepts across the US, including franchised KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut stores.