Zaf Holding is seeking to open its first licensed Paul outlet in 2025, with franchising a key part of the bakery-café chain’s goal to reach 100 UK stores
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Paul UK currently operates 30 stores across London alongside single sites in Reading and Oxford | Photo credit: Kate Trysh
Bakery-café chain Paul has announced a new franchise partnership with Zaf Holdings Limited (ZHL) to expand its footprint in the UK’s southeast.
ZHL, which also operates licensed Pizza Hut and P F Chang’s restaurants, is seeking to open at least 10 stores over the next five years, with the first outlet of the partnership set to open in 2025.
Paul UK currently operates 30 stores across London under its Paul and Paul Le Café brands, alongside single sites in Reading and Oxford. Launched in France in September 2021 and brought to the UK in August 2023, Paul Le Café is the chain’s smaller format, coffee-focused store format.
“We are delighted to welcome Arif (Jivraj – ZHL Founder) and his team to the Paul family. His experience and knowledge will ensure the brand’s credentials and quality are maintained as we bring Paul to a wider customer base as stores are developed across the southeast,” said Julia Powell, CEO, Paul.
Originally founded in 1899, Paul is owned by French bakery group Groupe Holder and operates more than 620 stores across 34 markets globally.
The bakery-cafe chain made its UK debut in 2000 and opened its first franchised outlet in Oxford in October 2022 before setting a target to reach 100 UK stores, half of which it expects to be franchised.