The Belgian bakery and coffee chain, which operates 10 outlets in the UK and 220 globally, will target affluent university cities across the country for growth
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Le Pain Quotidien currently operates approximately 220 stores across 15 countries | Photo credit: Hans Vivek
Bakery café chain Le Pain Quotidien is seeking to expand its 10-strong UK footprint via a new franchising model.
The Belgian company, which currently operates approximately 220 stores across 15 countries, has partnered with Edinburgh-based franchise consultancy Platinum Wave to develop a network of single and multi-unit franchisees.
CEO Annick Van Overstraeten said the company believes there is ‘real appetite from existing franchise operators’ in the UK to take on more brands.
Le Pain Quotidien said it would target ‘cathedral and large university cities’ for its initial expansion, due to their strong international communities and established premium-focused businesses, such as British supermarket chain Waitrose and department store John Lewis.
The company currently operates a combination of company-owned and franchised stores in Belgium and France, and via master franchisees in the US and Brazil.
In June 2022 Le Pain Quotidien announced a retail agreement with distributor Taste Shakers to place branded bakery products on UK supermarket shelves.